Understanding Your Hit and Run Accident Claim
Being injured in a road traffic collision is distressing. It can feel even more overwhelming when the driver responsible fails to stop and leaves the scene. Many people assume that if the driver cannot be identified, a hit and run accident claim is not possible. In the UK, that is not the case.
There is a legal framework designed to protect victims of untraced drivers. Even if the at fault motorist was never found, you may still be able to recover compensation for your injuries, financial losses and long term needs.
This guide explains how a hit and run accident claim works, what an untraced driver claim involves, the steps required to bring a claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, and what compensation may include.
Quick Links:
- What Is an Untraced Driver Claim?
- How Do You Make an MIB Claim After a Hit and Run?
- Compensation for Life Changing Injuries
- Your Next Steps After a Hit and Run
If you would like advice tailored to your circumstances, call 01606 872200 or arrange your free 30-minute consultation. We offer representation on a No Win, No Fee basis.
What Is an Untraced Driver Claim?
When a driver causes an accident and drives off without providing their details, and their identity cannot be established, this is known as an untraced driver claim.
In these circumstances, you cannot make a normal claim against the driver’s insurer because there are no insurance details and no traceable identity. In the UK, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau untraced driver scheme exists to compensate people in exactly this situation under the Untraced Drivers Agreement.
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau was established as the UK’s fund of last resort so that innocent victims are not left without compensation when the responsible driver cannot be found.
If you are hit by an untraced driver, whether you were walking, cycling, driving or otherwise involved in the collision, you may still be able to claim compensation through this scheme.
How Do You Make an MIB Claim After a Hit and Run?
To maximise your chances of success, it is important to understand how the process works.
1. Report the Collision to the Police as Soon as Possible
You must report the accident to the police and obtain a crime reference number, even if the driver drove off. For personal injury claims, this should usually be done within 14 days of the accident. This reporting requirement ensures your claim can be processed by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
2. Provide Evidence
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau will require evidence that:
- You were injured as a result of the accident
- The accident was caused by the untraced driver
- Reasonable steps were taken to identify the driver
- The accident was reported to the police promptly
Evidence may include hospital records, witness details, photographs, CCTV footage or dashcam recordings.
3. Meet the Claim Time Limits
For personal injury claims, you generally have up to three years from the date of the accident to bring a claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. This time limit is the same as for other personal injury claims in England and Wales, but the procedure for an untraced driver claim is different.
4. Consider Legal Representation
Motor Insurers’ Bureau claims follow specific legal rules and procedures. Where injuries are serious or life changing, professional support can help ensure the claim reflects the full impact of the accident, including long term care, rehabilitation and financial loss.
Compensation for Life Changing Injuries
If you have suffered serious injuries such as major trauma, permanent disability or an amputation, compensation can extend far beyond immediate pain and suffering. Claims under the untraced driver scheme can include injuries and related financial losses.
Types of Losses You Can Claim
Compensation may include:
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Loss of past and future earnings
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Prosthetics and mobility aids
- Home and vehicle adaptations
- The cost of care, support and assistance
- Psychological injury and therapy needs
These elements are particularly important where injuries permanently alter a person’s independence, employment prospects and quality of life. A carefully prepared claim helps ensure that both current and future needs are properly assessed.
Your Next Steps After a Hit and Run
If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, there are practical steps you should take to protect your position.
- Keep all medical records and discharge summaries
- Retain your police crime reference number
- Gather any witness details, photographs or video footage
- Report the crash to the police as soon as possible
- Speak to a personal injury solicitor experienced in untraced driver claims
Taking these steps early can strengthen your hit and run accident claim and help ensure that the necessary evidence is preserved. Although the responsible driver may not have been identified, compensation may still be available through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau scheme.
If you would like advice tailored to your circumstances, call 01606 872200 or arrange your free 30-minute consultation. We offer representation on a No Win, No Fee basis and provide clear, straightforward guidance from the outset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Even if the driver cannot be identified, you may still be able to make a hit and run accident claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. The Bureau operates the Untraced Drivers Agreement, which exists to compensate victims where the responsible driver cannot be traced.
You should report the accident to the police as soon as possible and obtain a crime reference number. For personal injury claims, this is usually required within 14 days of the accident. Prompt reporting is an important condition of bringing a claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
You will need evidence that the accident occurred, that you were injured, and that reasonable steps were taken to identify the driver. This may include medical records, witness details, photographs, CCTV footage or dashcam recordings, as well as confirmation that the incident was reported to the police.
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to bring a personal injury claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. Different limitation rules apply where the injured person is under 18 or lacks mental capacity.
You are not legally required to instruct a solicitor. However, hit and run accident claims follow specific procedures and evidential rules. Where injuries are serious or life changing, professional legal advice can help ensure that all losses, including future care and financial needs, are properly assessed and claimed.
