By Matt Tuff
New statistics have suggested there are more than a million uninsured drivers on the UK’s roads – with around 10 per cent of road traffic accidents where an injury is sustained now involving a ‘hit and run’ driver.
The statistics are shocking, and will be worrying to many who abide by the rules and quite rightly ensure they are fully covered before getting behind the wheel.
In London, it is estimated that around 216,000 of its 3.9 million motorists are on the road without cover – more than one in every 10 cars in East London. Birmingham has an estimated 55,142 non-covered vehicles, Manchester 37,167, Belfast 30,504 and Liverpool 27,364, according to the new research.
Yes, we all grumble about rising insurance premiums, but insurance is there to protect us when something goes wrong. The cover ensures we can quickly get back on the road after an accident, and secure vital compensation for injuries and losses suffered.
However, to find yourself either injured or left off the road following an accident, and discover that the other party had no insurance policy, can be extremely worrying and stressful.
It is particularly difficult when the other party fails to stop and you find yourself the victim of a hit and run.
What do you do next?
Making compensation claims through the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB)
We see many drivers left with serious and long-term injuries as the result of road traffic accidents. They are often unable to work for a lengthy period of time, and unable to support their families.
Being faced with the prospect of not being able to hold anyone to account is very worrying.
As specialists in handling road accident compensation claims, our team at Hudgell Solicitors are highly experienced in supporting people left in such a position of limbo, and given these new statistics, it is a scenario we are likely to handle with increasing regularity.
Our experience of handling claims through the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) – an insurance industry funded body which deals with claims involving uninsured or untraced drivers – is essential is these situations.
If there has been no policy in place, or if the car was stolen or insured for a person not driving at the time, claims for compensation for vehicle and property damage, as well as injury, can be made through the MIB.
This is a much more difficult route of securing compensation, but our team of specialists is highly experienced in negotiating with the MIB over settlements, negotiating over the amount of compensation due to the victims to ensure the right result for clients.
In one case, we represented a client who was left with severe head and spinal and brain injuries when hit by an uninsured driver.
The amount of compensation he was to receive was heavily disputed during negotiations, but our expertise ensured he finally received a settlement of £1.8m, reflecting how the accident had left him with life-long injuries and in need of continued care and support.
From a position of initially having nobody to hold to account, we were able to secure life-long support for our client.
What is clear from these latest statistics is that strong action needs to be taken against those found guilty of driving uninsured. Tougher penalties must be imposed to prevent cases rising further – and of course our insurance premiums going up too!
We’ll continue supporting those who find themselves the victims of uninsured drivers.
They are deserving of our legal knowledge and support, and to be fully compensated for their injuries and loss.
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