Making a hit and run claim

Hit and run accidents are some of the most stressful and upsetting accidents you could experience. You may not realise at first that it’s possible to claim compensation if you were hurt in one. But the law has made allowances for innocent people to access justice.

The specialist team at First4InjuryClaims could help you make a compensation claim if you’re hurt in a hit and run accident.

Just get in touch to find out how we could help you if you were hit by a vehicle that didn’t stop – whether you were in a car, a pedestrian or on a bicycle.

How much compensation can I claim?

The amount of compensation you could receive will depend on your specific injury, how severe it is and how long your recovery is expected to take.

For example, a broken leg that you recover completely from could see you awarded up to £8,550 in compensation. Meanwhile, a broken hand that you recover from within six months could mean you’re entitled to up to £4,461.

But you’re not just able to claim compensation for your injuries. You could also make a claim for any financial losses you’ve suffered. If you’ve had to take time off work to recover, you could be able to claim for a loss of earnings, as well as lost bonuses, commission or overtime.

You could also claim for any personal property that was broken or damaged in the accident. It is also possible to claim for the cost of any medical care, including treatment like physiotherapy and medication.

As part of the claims process, we will explain what you could be entitled to. We will do our utmost to secure you the maximum compensation to help your recovery.

Who will pay my compensation?

In most road traffic accidents, your compensation will be paid by the insurer of the road user who injured you. But it may be more complex in a hit and run accident.

If you were able to catch the number plate of the vehicle that hit you, it will be more straightforward to identify them. In these cases, your claim will progress as others would and the driver’s insurer would pay your compensation in a successful claim.

But if you could not identify the car that caused your accident, it can still be possible to claim compensation.

We will help you do this through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. This is an organisation that was set up to help compensate victims of hit and runs and uninsured drivers.

If you have any questions about the process of making a hit and run claim, don’t hesitate to ask us. Our experience has helped us understand just how stressful these accidents are. That’s why we aim to ensure you’re as informed as possible and confident about claiming.

How can I pay for my claim?

We will usually be able to help you claim through a No Win No Fee agreement if we think you have a good chance of success.

This means we won’t receive any payment for our work unless you are awarded compensation. If your claim is not successful, there is nothing for you to pay. There is no financial risk to you in making a claim.

A No Win No Fee agreement also means you pay nothing upfront to take legal action. This leaves you free to focus on your recovery and lets you start your claim when you feel ready.

Is there a time limit to make a hit and run claim?

In most cases, you will have three years from the date of your accident to make a claim. To avoid any concerns about submitting your claim ahead of the deadline, we would always advise starting the process as soon as possible.

The deadline can be different for some people, though. For example, you can make a claim on behalf of a child at any point until they turn 18. After that date, they then have three years to claim for themselves.

Will I need evidence?

Evidence is usually what makes a successful claim. The stronger your evidence, the stronger your claim will be. You could include:

• CCTV footage of the accident from nearby buildings
• Dashcam footage from your car or a witness to the accident
• Medical reports – you’ll have to have a medical assessment as part of your claim
• Police reports
• Witness details and statements

If you have any questions about what to include in your claim, we are here to help. We want to help make the claims process as stress-free as possible for you.