Hit & Run Road Accident Claims Solicitors
Everybody deserves to feel safe when they are using the road. If you’ve been the victim of a hit and run accident, you’re not alone.
In 2024, the Department for Transport reported 20,117 hit and run collisions. Our specialist road traffic accident claim solicitors are here to help you if you’ve been injured, even if you cannot identify the driver.
What is a hit and run claim?
You can make a hit and run claim if you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident, such as a collision with another car.
In most cases, both drivers would stop to exchange insurance details. With a hit and run, the driver leaves the scene without exchanging. They may not have insurance or they may be worried about criminal damages. In rarer cases, they might not know they’ve caused an accident.
If you’ve been involved in a collision where the driver has left the scene, we can help. Compensation is available even if the driver cannot be traced. We’ll file your claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, who offer a hit and run compensation scheme.
When can I make a hit and run compensation claim?
You may be eligible to claim if you’ve been hit by another driver, whether you are a motorist, cyclist or pedestrian. You’ll need to file a hit and run accident report, which you can do with the help of the police at the scene. It’s best to file this report within 24 hours for the best chance of a successful claim.
Trusted Injury Experts
Whether you were a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian, we’ll help you understand your rights and options after a road traffic accident. With decades of experience in serious road traffic injury claims, we’ll push for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
We keep things clear and straightforward every step of the way, with no legal jargon or hidden costs.
What kind of injuries can I claim for in a hit and run accident?
Injuries from hit and runs can range from minor to more serious. In every claim, we’ll assess the damage to ensure you get the maximum payout and get back on your feet as quickly as possible. You may be able to claim for injuries such as:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Head injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Burns or scars
- Psychological trauma.
How much compensation can I claim for a hit and run?
There are no set compensation amounts for hit and run claims. We assess each case for how serious your injuries are, as well as any financial losses, such as time taken off work or travel to doctors’ appointments. You may also be able to claim for damage to your vehicle.
The Judicial Board Guidelines can give you historical figures for hit and run compensation amounts. These are based on injury types alone, and do not include financial losses or vehicle damage claims.
As a starting point, the Judicial Board suggests figures such as:
- Scarring: £2,000 to £200,000
- Injuries to internal organs: £4,000 to £500,000
- Psychological damage: £2,000 to £200,000
- Arm injuries: £23,000 to £159,000
- Neck injuries: £30,000 to £159,000
- Leg injuries: £33,000 to £109,000
- Back injuries: £33,000 to £107,000.
We will fight to ensure every piece of evidence is available to support your claim and get you the compensation you deserve.
How to make a hit and run accident claim
To start your hit and run accident claim, contact us as soon as possible. We understand that road traffic accidents can be physically and psychologically damaging, so our teams will be patient with you from the start.
Your claim will begin with a free consultation with one of our expert hit and run compensation solicitors. During this phone call, we’ll take down all the details of your case, including the severity of your injuries and any adjustments to your life you’ve made, such as time off work. You should gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim.
We’ll also ask you for a hit and run accident report. You should always contact the police after a road traffic accident. Their assistance may help us to build our case, and they may even be able to trace the driver.
Once we’ve decided if you’re eligible, we’ll get to work on your compensation. If the driver cannot be traced, we’ll make your claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. If they can, then we’ll claim through their insurer.
We aim to settle all of our cases out of court, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to show up – but we’ll keep you informed if that changes. After we’ve presented all our evidence and the insurer/MIB agrees to pay, you’ll receive your compensation minus our fees.
Please remember that these cases can take up to 18 months to settle. We may be able to offer interim payments. These are early compensation payments to help with the costs of things like travelling to your medical appointments. The payments will be taken off your final payout total.
What evidence do I need to make my claim?
To build as strong a case as possible, we’ll help you gather as much evidence as you can. We appreciate that this may be stressful just after a road traffic accident, so the police will be on hand to write you an official accident report.
Make sure you ask for the reference number of the police report. Your hit and run compensation claim will also benefit from:
- Times and dates of the accident
- Details of the vehicle if possible
- Medical reports such as doctors’ letters
- Evidence of time off work
- Photos of damage to your vehicle
- Witness statements
- CCTV or dashcam footage.
You won’t have to do this all on your own. We can help you gather the right documents to build a stronger compensation case.
What are the time limits for making a hit and run compensation claim?
You will have three years from the date of the accident to make a hit and run claim. We would always advise contacting us as soon as possible so that we can gather the best evidence. We may also be able to help with interim payments, which give you a proportion of your final payout to cover medical bills.
How long does a hit and run claim take?
Hit and run claims tend to take around six to 12 months to settle, though this can be up to 18 months in some circumstances. For example, if the driver has been traced and they dispute the claim, then we may have to take legal action. It’s unlikely you’ll go to court but we will let you know if you have to, and keep you informed throughout the process.
What happens if the driver cannot be traced?
You can still make a hit and run accident claim if the driver cannot be traced. When this happens, claims are processed through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. We file the claim on your behalf and you will be paid through their hit and run compensation scheme. This is funded by motor insurance and was founded to protect those hit by uninsured or untraceable drivers.
Can I claim if I was partly at fault?
You can still make a hit and run compensation claim if you were partly at fault. After we’ve presented the evidence, a court will decide how much you are at fault and award the amount based on a percentage. For example, if you were 50% at fault, you would only gain 50% of the compensation.
Can I claim for a hit and run if I’m a cyclist or pedestrian?
You can make a hit and run accident claim if you’re a cyclist or pedestrian. We’ll still factor in the severity of your injuries and any financial losses you’ve faced, such as time off work. In some cases, you may also be able to claim for damages to your bicycle.
Will I have to give evidence in court?
It’s very unlikely you’ll have to go to court for your hit and run claim. We aim to settle compensation claims out of court to put your mind at ease. In rare cases, the claim may be disputed – for example, if police have traced the driver and they do not admit fault. We will let you know if you do have to appear in court and will keep this process as comfortable as possible for you.
Fast Access To Support
We’ll get to work straight away so you’re not left waiting. Our team focuses on early evidence gathering and medical assessments to build your case quickly and secure interim payments wherever possible.
You’ll always know what’s happening and what we’re working on — so you can focus on your recovery while we focus on your claim.
Who pays my hit and run claim?
Hit and run compensation claims are most often covered by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). In other road traffic accidents, claims would be covered by motor insurance – whoever is at fault for the accident. When the driver cannot be traced, the MIB can help.
The MIB is a government scheme founded in 1946 to help motorists who’ve been hit by uninsured or hit and run drivers. It’s funded by taxes on motor insurance. By law, all car insurance companies must be a member of the MIB.
What to do after a hit and run road accident
A hit and run can be a traumatic experience, so it’s important to stay calm. We understand that you may not always be able to act quickly, but any details you can gather will support your case.
Before you do anything, always make sure you and any other passengers are safe. It may be tempting to follow the driver, but your health comes first and this may negatively impact your claim. Call an ambulance if you need serious medical assistance.
Next, call the police. They can file an accident report for you. The more information you can give them, the better. Once you’re safe, you can do other things to support your case. Where possible, make sure you:
Note down vehicle details such as make, model, colour and registration number
Speak to any witnesses and ask for contact details in case we need to speak to them
Request CCTV footage if there are local cameras, or dashcam footage from your own/other motorists’ devices.
You should also report the incident to your insurance company, even if you don’t have the driver’s details. Your case can still be settled through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
Will the police help with a hit and run?
The police can help hit and run accident victims. You should call them as soon as you can. They will file an incident report for you, which you can then give to us as part of your compensation claim evidence.
If you’ve been able to get the other driver’s details, such as their vehicle make and registration number, you should give this to the police. They may be able to trace the driver. This means we can make a claim on your behalf through the driver’s insurance, rather than the MIB.
Why choose us
Free initial consultatation, no upfront fees
We have over 1,700 five-star reviews
We fight for the maximum compensation for you
Why choose Wolferstans for your hit and run claim?
If you’re a hit and run victim, you deserve a dedicated legal team that’s ready to listen to you. At Wolferstans, our specialist no win, no fee road traffic accident claim solicitors have recovered millions of pounds in compensation for cases just like yours.
We’ll listen to your case and take it on even if others have turned you away. In many cases, we can claim on your behalf without you having to go to court. Our teams are accredited by Lexcel, and we work with organisations including The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Brain Injury Group.
You’ll be kept informed every step of the way, and we’ll answer any questions you may have. We can also arrange interim payments to ensure you’re back on track as soon as possible. For legal expertise without judgement, contact Wolferstans today.
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