If you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Whether you were a driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian, being involved in a hit and run can be a distressing experience, especially when the responsible party fails to stop or provide insurance details. Fortunately, you may still be able to claim hit and run compensation, even if the driver is untraceable.
This guide explains how to claim compensation for a hit and run injury. It covers who is eligible to claim, how the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) can help if the driver cannot be identified, and what compensation amounts may be awarded. You’ll also learn about common injuries in hit and run claims, how to gather the right evidence, and how our panel of solicitors can represent you on a No Win No Fee basis.
We offer advice and expert guidance. Our advisors can assess your case and connect you with a solicitor from our panel experienced in hit and run compensation claims. If you’ve been involved in a hit and run, we’re here to help you take the next steps with confidence. Contact us for free today:
- Call 0333 0000729
- Fill out our Contact Us page.
- Send a message in our live on-screen chat box.
Jump To A Section
- Can I Make A Claim For Hit And Run Compensation?
- The Role Of The Motor Insurers’ Bureau
- How A Solicitor Can Help You Claim For A Hit And Run
- What Are The Common Injuries Covered In A Hit And Run Claim?
- How Much Hit And Run Compensation Could I Get?
- Is There A Time Limit For Claiming After A Hit And Run?
- What Evidence Will I Need To Support My Claim?
- Can I Make A Hit And Run No Win No Fee Claim?
- Learn More
Can I Make A Claim For Hit And Run Compensation?
Yes, you could make a hit and run compensation claim if you were injured in a road traffic accident caused by a driver who failed to stop at the scene. All road users have a legal duty of care to follow the rules in the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA) and The Highway Code and use the roads in a way that avoids causing harm to others. This duty applies to drivers, passengers, cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
As such, here are the hit and run compensation claims eligibility criteria:
- You were owed a duty of care by another road user.
- That road user breached their duty of care by driving negligently and failing to stop at the scene.
- You sustained injuries as a result of this breach.
Under Section 170 of the RTA, drivers must stop and provide their contact and insurance details after an accident involving damage or injury. Failing to stop after such an incident is a criminal offence and can form the basis of a hit and run claim.
If the driver is traced, a claim may be made against their insurance. If untraced, you may still be able to claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
To find out if your hit and run compensation claim is eligible, contact our team now for free advice and a no-obligation eligibility check.
The Role Of The Motor Insurers’ Bureau
The MIB is a UK based organisation and exists to compensate victims of road traffic accidents involving uninsured or untraced drivers. If you’ve been involved in a hit and run accident and the driver cannot be located, you may be able to submit your claim to the MIB.
The MIB scheme can cover:
- Compensation for personal injury
- Property damage
- Loss of earnings
- Medical treatment costs
- Travel expenses
To claim through the MIB, you must have reported the incident to the police and attempted to locate the driver. Although they are not an insurance company, they function to protect innocent road users by ensuring they are not left without support when a hit and run driver causes harm.
Our advisors can guide you through the process, so speak with us today to get started.
How A Solicitor Can Help You Claim For A Hit And Run
Working with a solicitor can significantly improve your chances of securing the right compensation after a hit and run accident. We work with a panel of personal injury solicitors experienced in hit and run accident claims and MIB applications.
Our panel of solicitors can:
- Collect key evidence to support your claim.
- Submit your claim to the MIB or the other party’s insurance company.
- Ensure deadlines are met and paperwork is correctly completed.
- Negotiate a fair compensation amount on your behalf.
- Represent you under a No Win No Fee agreement.
Having legal representation is especially helpful when pursuing claims through the MIB, as the process can be technical. You’ll benefit from expert advice and ongoing updates about your case.
Let our panel support your personal injury claim. Speak with our friendly advisors today and learn how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Are The Common Injuries Covered In A Hit And Run Claim?
Hit and run accidents can result in a wide range of physical injuries, many of which can be serious or life-altering. You can claim compensation for any injury sustained due to the negligent actions of the hit and run driver.
Common injuries in run accident claims include:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries.
- Fractures, such as broken arms or legs.
- Head and brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury.
- Cuts and lacerations.
- Spinal cord damage.
- Internal injuries.
- Psychological injuries, such as PTSD or anxiety.
Whether you were a pedestrian or in another vehicle, the impact of a hit and run can cause lasting physical and emotional harm.
To find out if your injury qualifies for hit and run compensation, contact us today for a free case assessment.
How Much Hit And Run Compensation Could I Get?
The amount of hit and run compensation you could receive depends on two heads of claim: general damages and special damages.
General damages compensate you for the physical and mental pain and suffering caused by your injuries. The value of these damages is influenced by various factors, such as:
- The severity of your injury
- The level of pain experienced
- The duration of your recovery period
- Whether you are left with any permanent symptoms or disabilities
- The impact the injury has had on your ability to enjoy daily activities and hobbies
- Any psychological harm, such as depression or PTSD
To help calculate general damages, legal professionals refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which provide a range of compensation brackets for different types of injuries.
Special damages aim to reimburse you for any financial losses or expenses you’ve incurred as a result of the hit and run accident. These can include:
- Loss of earnings, including future earnings if you’re unable to return to work
- Medical expenses, such as private treatment or rehabilitation costs
- Travel expenses, including transport to medical appointments
- Care and assistance, either professional or from family members
- Home adaptations or mobility aids if required
- Damaged personal property, such as clothing or a mobile phone
To claim special damages, you must provide evidence of your financial losses. This may include receipts, payslips, bank statements, or invoices.
Guideline Compensation Table
Below is a table showing example compensation amounts for different hit and run injuries, based on figures from the JCG. These figures are guidelines only. The final compensation amount in a hit and run claim will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. Additionally, the top figure is not from the JCG, and the bottom 2 figures are from the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021. Whiplash injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents are generally valued in line with the tariffs in these Regulations.
| Injury type | Injury severity | Guideline compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries with special damages | Serious | Up to £1,000,000+ | An award covering how you've sustained multiple serious injuries and suffered associated financial losses, such as medical bills. |
| Brain damage | Very severe (a) | £344,150 to £493,000 | Cases such as "locked-in" syndrome where there is a substantially shortened life expectancy. |
| Less severe (d) | £18,700 to £52,550 | There will be problems with memory and concentration, but a good recovery will be made and the person will be able to return to work. | |
| Back | Severe (a)(i) | £111,150 to £196,450 | Incomplete paralysis with severe pain and disability. |
| Minor (c)(i) | £9,630 to £15,260 | Where a full recovery without surgery takes between 2-5 years. | |
| Arm | Severe (a) | £117,360 to £159,770 | A serious brachial plexus injury. |
| Simple fracture (d) | £8,060 to £23,430 | Of the forearm. | |
| Whiplash | Whiplash injuries with psychological harm | £4,345 | Symptoms lasting between 18-24 months. |
| Whiplash injuries | £4,215 | Symptoms lasting between 18-24 months. |
Want to know what your claim might be worth? Contact us today for a free consultation and a personalised compensation estimate.
Is There A Time Limit For Claiming After A Hit And Run?
Yes, there is a time limit for starting a hit and run compensation claim. In most cases, under the Limitation Act 1980, you must begin your claim within 3 years of the date the hit and run accident happened.
However, there are exceptions to this 3-year time limit:
- Children: If the injured person is under 18, the 3-year time limit does not begin until their 18th birthday. This is because children are unable to manage the proceedings themselves. A responsible adult, known as a litigation friend, can make a claim on their behalf before this time.
- Lack of mental capacity: If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to manage their own legal affairs, the time limit is paused indefinitely. A litigation friend can bring a claim on their behalf at any time while they lack capacity. Should they regain this capacity, then the time limit starts running from that date.
A litigation friend is typically a parent, guardian, family member or someone with legal authority to act in the best interests of the claimant. Their role is to instruct solicitors, make decisions, and ensure the claim is pursued fairly and appropriately on behalf of the injured party.
It’s also important to note that if you are claiming through the MIB, the incident must be reported to the police promptly, typically within 14 days, even though the standard limitation period still applies.
Call us today for free advice and to check how much time you have left to start your road traffic accident claim.
What Evidence Will I Need To Support My Claim?
To claim hit and run compensation, you will need to provide evidence showing how the accident happened, who was responsible, and what injuries or losses you’ve sustained.
Useful evidence includes:
- A police report or crime reference number.
- Photographs or video footage from the accident scene.
- Contact details from witnesses, who can provide a witness statement at a later date in the claims process.
- Medical records and reports detailing your injuries.
- Proof that you reported the accident within the required timeframe.
- A personal symptoms and treatment diary.
Gathering evidence quickly can make a significant difference in the success of your claim, especially if the driver remains unidentified. Also, our panel of solicitors can collect evidence on your behalf to make the claims process easier, more efficient, and less stressful for you.
Contact us today, we’ll guide you on the documents that can strengthen your case.
Can I Make A Hit And Run No Win No Fee Claim?
Yes, you can make a hit and run compensation claim under a No Win No Fee agreement with a solicitor from our panel if you’re eligible to claim. Our panel of solicitors work under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). With this arrangement:
- No payment is required upfront for your solicitor’s work, or throughout the entire claims process.
- If your claim isn’t successful, you won’t have to pay your solicitor’s fees at all.
- If your claim is successful, your solicitor will just keep a success fee. A success fee is a legally capped percentage deducted from your compensation.
Our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors will only take on your case if they believe there is a strong chance of success. This gives you added peace of mind throughout the claims process.
Call Legal Helpline now to find out if you could start your hit and run accident compensation claim on a No Win No Fee basis.
Contact Our Advisors To Get Started
If you’ve been involved in a hit and run car accident, don’t wait to explore your options. We offer free advice and can connect you with experienced solicitors from our panel who will fight to secure the compensation you deserve.
Whether you’re unsure about eligibility, need help gathering evidence, or simply want to understand how much compensation you might receive, our friendly team is ready to help:
- Call 0333 0000729
- Fill out our Contact Us page.
- Send a message in our live on-screen chat box.
Learn More
For further information and support on related topics, see:
- NHS – how to treat whiplash.
- MIB – advice on claiming against an untraceable driver.
- Gov.UK – information on vehicle insurance if you’ve been in a road traffic accident.
Additionally, here are some related guides of ours:
- How to make a fatal road traffic accident claim on behalf of someone you know who was injured fatally in a hit and run accident.
- What to do if you were hit by a stolen car.
- How to make a taxi driver claim.
If you’re ready to claim hit and run compensation or simply want more information, contact us today. We’re here to help you move forward.
