It is bad enough when you have been involved in a road traffic accident and your car has been damaged – particularly if your car happens to be your pride and joy, and getting it fixed is an absolute hassle. It is worse though, where it is not just your car that is damaged, but where you have been injured in the accident as well.
Where the accident was not your fault, you will often have a successful claim for compensation through the negligent drivers’ insurers if you wish to make one. But, what if you have been injured and you wish to make a claim for compensation, but the other driver either fled the scene of the accident or was not insured. How would you go about claiming compensation when the usual path is to seek it from the other side’s insurers?
Fortunately, you are not left in a scenario where you have no form of recourse. Where the negligent party has not stuck around or has no insurance, you can still receive compensation; instead of receiving it from the other side’s insurers you will get it through an organisation called the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (‘MIB’). It would be unpalatable if you were left uncompensated simply because the other side was not decent enough to stick around or did not abide by the law and pay for insurance.
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau receives around £15-30 from everyone’s insurance premiums each year. This way they are able to set up a compensation fund for the victims of uninsured and untraced drivers. To make a claim from this compensation fund you will be required to complete an MIB Claim Form. This is quite straightforward, and simply a matter of putting your details down and explaining what happened in the accident. If you are unsure how to complete this, or if you would like some help, expert injury lawyers are always happy to help you out.
Here is a quick guide to the best course of action you should take where you have been involved in an accident, sustaining an injury, with an untraced or uninsured driver:
- Seek medical attention for your injuries. You are the most important factor and it is imperative that you look out for yourself. Plus, your GP can make an accurate record of your injuries and provide a prognosis.
- Report the accident to the police as soon as possible. They will compile a police report and will hopefully provide you with a crime reference number. If you do not report the accident to the police sharpish, the MIB may refuse to deal with your claim.
- See if there were any witnesses to the accident – this is great documentary evidence to help progress a successful claim.
- Instruct a quality injury lawyer who has vast experience in dealing with these sorts of claims on a genuine no win, no fee basis. They will provide you expert assistance at no cost to yourself.
At The Injury Lawyers we have dealt with many successful MIB claims and will be happy to help you, so get in touch today.
