Hit and run situations are one of those really frustrating scenarios. Whilst you can still make a claim, and I will go in to how you can do this shortly, it’s frustrating to think that someone can be selfish enough to leave you injured to save themselves facing justice for their actions. What kind of human being lacks the compassion and decency to help someone out? Their selfishness can lead to victims not being unable to get the care they may desperately need, resulting in injuries being worse, or even leading to fatalities.
But thankfully, you can still seek justice for what has happened. Whilst catching the culprit may be out of the question, you still have the option of being able to make a claim for personal injury compensation for any injuries and suffering caused. This can, of course, help a lot; especially if you are serious injured.
How can you sue a culprit that’s disappeared for compensation?
Actually, you don’t sue them, you pursue the Motor Insurers Bureau (known as the MIB) using their Untraced Driver scheme. Not many people know this, but a small proportion of any insurance premiums you pay actually goes toward funding the MIB, who are a not-for-profit organisation with an agreement with the government and insurers to compensate victims of untraced and uninsured drivers.
The process for an untraced case can be a little lengthier than the average insurance claim, but the payouts are generally the same. You pursue the MIB who then act for the untraced drivers insurance company. They will investigate the case and agree to pay out if it is found that the untraced driver was responsible for the accident.
How does the MIB investigate a claim?
They will attempt in the first instance to track down the driver – so making a claim early can be key. You never know, with the amount of CCTV cameras around Britain nowadays, “Big Brother” may well lead to catching the culprit responsible for your accident. If their registration can be seen on film footage, we can get them!
They will normally seek information from the police and any hospitals you attend, or from your GP. It is therefore imperative that you report the incident to the police as soon as possible because a failure to report the matter, or any delay in reporting it, can lead to the MIB rejecting your claim. The same goes for medical evidence as well – get help as soon as you can.
If you were taken to hospital and the police were called, cooperate with them fully to ensure the MIB have enough evidence to compensate you. If it wasn’t reported at the time, report it as soon as you possibly can. I cannot stress this enough – if you fail to report it in good time, or fail to report it at all, the MIB may refuse to pay you out.
If they accept liability on behalf of the untraced driver, they can pay you out in the same way an insurer will. If you’re anything like me, I’d much prefer to see the person responsible face up to what they have done – but if they cannot be found, at least you can be compensated for any pain suffering, and financial loss caused.
Call us 0800 634 7575 to get your hit and run claim started today. If you prefer, why not arrange a call back from one of our team, for FREE instant advice on whether you have a claim to make! Just fill out the quick form below and we’ll call you back at a time which suits you.