What to do if you’re involved in a road traffic accident with an uninsured driver

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Being in a road traffic accident is always an unpleasant experience, especially if it wasn’t your fault. But there’s nothing worse than finding out that the other party doesn’t have insurance, or watching them take off before you can get their information.

Driving an uninsured car is a criminal offence, but that doesn’t really help you if your car has been damaged or you’ve been injured. Fortunately, it is possible to recover the costs associated with your car repairs and/or medical treatment.

Help is out there

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) exists to compensate those who fall victim to uninsured and/or untraced motorists. The Bureau is funded by a levy of approximately £30 on all vehicle insurance policies, and it covers claims for vehicle damage and injury. It handles around 20,000 such claims against uninsured motorists and hit-and-runs every year, and works alongside the police and government to tackle the menace of uninsured drivers.

The MIB estimates that there could be up to 1 million uninsured drivers on UK roads – 4% of all drivers and 1/38 of all vehicles. So the chances of being hit by one are slim, but not that slim.

To make the claim easier, you can do the following:

  • Get their details – get their name and address, and make a note of their vehicle’s registration number, make and model. If they claim their vehicle is insured through their employer, as for the employer’s details and insurer name.
  • If you can’t get any details – if the other party doesn’t cooperate, you should call the police ASAP and make a formal complaint. It’s illegal to refuse to give insurance information.
  • Hit and run – if they don’t stop, try to get the vehicle registration. A photograph is great evidence, and if there were any witnesses then collect their details.
  • Get legal advice – you must report the incident to your insurer ASAP. But it’s also a good idea to contact a specialist law firm to ensure you get the very best advice.

People who cause a car accident without insurance are committing an offence, and you need to take the steps outlined in this article to ensure you get what’s owed to you if you’re a victim. The MIB is there to help, and with advice from a reliable solicitor, you will get all the compensation you need.