People in the UK have suffered a lot for many years because car insurance policies are typically costly. According to the Road Traffic Act, UK, all drivers require to have at least third-party insurance coverage.
It is a type of insurance that will cover you for the injury or damage caused to the third- party. UK law states that not having an insurance policy leads to hefty fines, license suspension, and even imprisonment. The law enforcement agencies may also seize your vehicle.
When you are in a car crash with an untraceable or uninsured driver, not only do you suffer from personal injuries and damages, but it is also frustrating to get compensation. A recent report shows that there were over 1.2 million uninsured drivers in the UK. That's the reason road accidents are prevalent in the UK.
Besides, third-party insurance is the minimum requirement for drivers in the UK. It will cover you for the damages or injuries caused to other people or properties if you are an at-fault driver. But what can you do if you have an accident with an uninsured driver? Let's find out in this post! Read on!
What to do if an uninsured driver hits you?
An uninsured driver will do his best to avoid giving you any personal details. It is a daunting task to get any information from an uninsured driver, even if he sticks around. When you are at the accident scene, make sure you take photos on your smartphone, record the driver's description, and ask for witnesses' contact details.
Experts recommend noting down the uninsured car details, such as the make, model, number plate, color, and other information. Besides, call the police and let them know about the untraced or uninsured driver. Make sure you also contact your insurer and give them details on the accident.
Contact the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB)
If you have received personal injuries or damages to your car, contact the MIB. It is a not- for-profit organization established by insurance companies in the UK to support drivers hit by untraced or uninsured drivers. MIB also covers drivers hit by uninsured drivers in foreign countries.
The organization has an uninsured drivers' agreement, enabling you to claim compensation against the driver who caused the accident. MIB has two agreements: the uninsured drivers' agreement and the untraced drivers' agreement.
The first one allows you to claim compensation against the third-party driver with no insurance policy. The MIB will settle your claim if the uninsured driver is unable to pay you for the damages. On the other hand, the untraced drivers' agreement enables you to claim compensation for their injuries or damages after being hit by an unidentified driver.
How to Make a Claim?
The claim process is pretty straightforward, thanks to the MIB's driver-friendly policies. Go to the official website and download the claim form. Fill the form yourself or seek help from a lawyer. You can submit the form directly or through your solicitor.
Make sure your lawyer has experience in dealing with MIB claims. The purpose is to get the compensation you deserve. Bear in mind that you can claim personal injuries, medical costs for injury treatment, losses caused by injuries, and earnings loss.
Moreover, you can apply for car damages, repairs, and replacement. However, this is possible when you don't have a comprehensive insurance policy. Although MIB has victim- friendly policies, talk to your lawyer before making a claim, especially if you want compensation for property damage.
I only just started driving a year or so ago so I was not sure what to do about this. I had gotten into a minor accident where the other person hit me. This happened at the end of the week. Found this page when I was trying to figure things out and it helped a ton. Just wanted to come back and thank you for the information.
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