Hit and Run Accident Claims

We all expect other drivers to take the same precautions as us on the road, including showing respect for road users and pedestrians. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen; hit-and-run accidents are more common than you’d like to think.

According to research, the number of hit and run accidents in London has increased 40% since 2011, showing a significant problem with irresponsible drivers.

If you, a loved one, or a child is injured in a hit and run accident, you have the right to make a claim.

Speaking to a legal advisory service on 0800 234 6438 can help you assess your eligibility and claim compensation.

All road users have a responsibility to look out for other people and promote safety on the roads. The UK laws state that anyone in a road traffic accident (RTA) has to stop at the scene and ensure the other party is OK, as well as swap insurance details.

If a driver doesn’t stop at the scene of the accident, then it’s known as a hit and run. In rare cases, hit and run drivers might not notice they’ve caused an accident – but it’s more common they flee due to fear.

The laws are clear, yet people still do it. The question is, why?

All drivers must have insurance in the UK, so when someone doesn’t have a policy or needs to update their insurance company, they might leave the scene without stopping out of fear. However, not stopping at the scene can have serious repercussions with the police.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is illegal, as it can impair someone’s judgement and result in accidents. Some people might flee the scene if the car is stolen or they don’t have a driving license.

If a person has an outstanding arrest warrant or is in the country illegally, they might leave the scene because they fear being caught and deported/sent to prison.

Find out more about claiming criminal injury compensation.

Some drivers might be sober, have insurance and have no reason to flee, but they do it because they panic. While this is rare, it can happen, and drivers will often regret their actions afterwards but be too scared to come forward.

Hit and run accident victims include pedestrians, other drivers, bike riders and passengers. There are so many potential injuries in any road traffic accident, but the most common include:

• Broken bones: These can be minor fractures or severe breaks that require surgery and rehabilitation.
• Head injuries: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
• Whiplash: A common injury that causes a lot of pain.
• Shoulder and back injuries: These can be minor sprains, dislocations and severe back injuries that might cause hospitalisation or permanent mobility issues.
• Post-traumatic stress: PTSD can occur after a trauma, and it causes anxiety, depression and panic attacks.

While these are just some injuries, any injury resulting from an accident that you weren’t responsible for could mean you’re eligible for compensation.

If you’re in a car accident and the other driver is responsible, you’ll probably be able to claim compensation. The key is proving the driver was negligent and left the scene without calling for help and providing their insurance company details.

You can make a claim if you prove the driver is negligent. However, you should always report the incident to the police, as some drivers cannot be traced, and they’ll need to investigate the accident.

The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) offers the following eligibility criteria:

• You’re involved in a hit and run incident.
• You – or a loved one – sustained injuries.
• The incident occurred due to an untraced driver.

Making a hit and run claim is slightly different to other claims because you’ll usually go through the Motor Insurers Bureau. The bureau was created in 1946 by the government, and all car insurance providers must be active members.

It’s around to help people who can’t make a regular accident claim due to uninsured or untraced drivers, seek compensation.

Some drivers might be from foreign countries, and it would be difficult to make a claim, but the MIB was established to support people and help them get the hit and run compensation they deserve.

The claims process is similar to other claims, but you won’t be dealing directly with the negligent party.

Here’s how it works.

For free legal advice about whether you can bring a no win no fee hit and run injury claim, get in touch with a legal advisor on 0800 234 6438 – or submit your name and number using the form on this page to request a call back to discuss the personal injury claims process.

Contacting legal advisory services can help determine whether you’re eligible to make a claim and save you some time. You’ll also receive access to a top no win no fee solicitor to help ensure you’re successful.

It’s always best to meet with no win no fee solicitors because they’ll only take on a case if they’re confident you’ll win. These lawyers receive no payment unless they successfully win compensation for you, so you don’t have to worry about any financial risks.

Once you decide to proceed with the compensation claim, your lawyer will gather evidence on your behalf, but it also helps if you do the same when the incident occurs. Even though you won’t have the driver’s details, you can still do the following:

• Make notes: You should record the date, time and incident that occurred.
• Record any information about the vehicle: For example, part of the registration number, colour, model, and anything else that might help the investigation.
• Footage: Try to secure dashcam footage or ask witnesses if they have any that they can send to you.
• Get details from witnesses: Ask any witnesses of the accident for their contact details, as they might have to give a statement.
• Call an ambulance or go to the hospital: You’ll need to be able to prove your injuries, so it’s always best to go to the hospital and get checked out.
• Report the incident: You should also call the police or ask someone else to do it, as they’ll need to investigate.
• Take note of any CCTV: There might be CCTV from shops or buildings near the incident, so make sure you at least record the exact area, as this can provide evidence for your police and solicitors.

Your solicitor will also gather evidence from doctors and hospital reports, as well as potentially send you for a medical assessment to document your injuries.

The crucial part of any claim is meeting with the negligent party, but in hit and run compensation cases, it will be a meeting with the Motor Insurers Bureau.

Your lawyer will meet with them and offer evidence to prove your injuries, and the MIB will assess your eligibility.

The MIB will offer compensation based on your injuries and their impact on your life. Once the money comes through, the solicitor will take their fee out of the amount, and you’ll receive the rest.

Claiming seems like a long-winded process, but it’s relatively simple when you have the evidence and the support of a specialist lawyer.

For free legal advice about whether you can bring a no win no fee hit and run claim, get in touch with a legal advisor on 0800 234 6438 – or submit your name and number using the form on this page to request a call back to discuss the personal injury claims process.

No amount of money can replace the shock and stress that comes with a hit and run accident, but the compensation you receive will improve your life and help you to recover any financial losses.

The amount of compensation with hit and run accident claims depends on the severity of your injuries and how they impact your life. For example, if a person suffers a traumatic head injury that means they’ll need lifelong care, they’ll receive more money than an individual with broken bones.

You can use a compensation calculator to get an idea of how much money you’ll get, but it’s best to wait for your solicitor to assess your case.

There are plenty of no win no fee law firms, but not all are reputable and some will try to charge you a fee regardless of whether you win your case or not. When you get in touch with a legal advisor on 0800 234 6438 – or submit your name and number using the form on this page to request a call back, you’ll speak with a specially trained legal advisor who will give you free legal advice about your potential claim. If they believe you could be successful, they will pass your details onto a personal injury solicitor who will work on a no win no fee basis.

The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) is there to help people like you who have been in a hit and run accident. You should absolutely make a claim because that’s the purpose of the MIB, and you deserve compensation.