Forum Topic

Advice please re hit & run driver compensation

A week ago a young friend was driving home from work in Essex, there were cars parked either side of the road. An oncoming car hit my friend's vehicle causing him to swerve and crash into a parked car. The boy had concussion apparently and the next thing he remembers is being attended by Paramedics and the Police. He was taken by ambulance to hospital and released after treatment.The boy sustained a dislocated shoulder, knee and foot injury and is still off work. His car has gone for repair.The Police wrote saying they were unable to trace the driver who caused the accident and who failed to stop.Presumably this means my friend will lose his No Claims Bonus and have no compensation. I don't know whether he will be paid sick leave.Has anyone any advice I can pass on to this lad?

Robert Julian Fernandez ● 6443d9 Comments

JeanHow about a solicitor who works on a no win no fee instruction. Do not pay an up front fee, they claim their costs from the other  party's insurance. Other than this litigation is very costly.....Good luck with it!

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6442d

Re  Has anyone any advice I can pass on to this lad?        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx      without witnesses to say why he crashed, his position is very unsatisfactory as it could be argued he crashed of his own accord. There is the Motor Insurer's Bureau funded by all motor insurers to compensate victims of accidents where the miscreant has no insurance or is unknown but this " lad " cannot, as yet, prove there was another vehicle involved, or if there was, that it was necessary for him to have done what HE did, ie swerve and crash. He could ask his local Citizens Advice Bureau what they think but I feel he will lose his  N C B, especially if any claims are made against him by third parties. More than likely the person who made him swerve etc etc had no licence and probably no insurance. Sadly today, there are millions of vehicles being driven on our roads without those traditional British elements in force, especially in London.

Tony Price ● 6442d

It is hardly British to be required to have car Insurance. What is British though, and unlike some European countries, is that we are too laid back to insist that motor insurance stickers as well as tax discs are displayed on windscreens.The CAB may give him outline advice, but as usual he needs evidence and needs someone with the will and skills to get it, if he can.

George Knox ● 6442d

Re  is that we are too laid back to insist that motor insurance stickers           xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx      doesn't prove anything George, the basis of insurance is utmost good faith and any non disclosure can render the insurance invalid, plus the current rampant situation where mainly those from overseas do not have valid driving licences. I have arguments galore with such I know, who say they have insurance but I know either they don't have operating licences or are guilty of other basic falsehoods, eg a car used / garaged in Bayswater but declared for insurance purposes as in Huntingdon.

Tony Price ● 6442d

I was hit by a hit & run and had to go down the Motor Insurer's Bureau. My solicitor, who I trust, pursued the claim, and advised me against the No Win No Fee route, on the basis that solicitors who do this are much more likely to settle for a lesser amount for an easy life and quicker return. Tell your friend to be prepared to be persistent and nag the insurance rep until they are so sick of him that they take action, as the MIB claims are incredibly slow. They will also try and wriggle out of it.

Caroline Cabraal ● 6442d

Many thanks Andrew, Tony, George and Caroline for your advice regarding an accident to a friend caused by a hit and run driver.I do appreciate your advice and shall pass on your comments and information to Noel who is still recoverng at home.

Robert Julian Fernandez ● 6441d

TonyI accept forgery is a big problem.The last time I asked a policeman about what the cameras in their cars do, he said car tax is checked with DVLA, but there is more to be done before the checking process will also confirm if a car is insured.As you probably know, when you apply to renew the car tax by phone the insurance check is done electronically.While I don't like big brother this is one area where I get cross if people are not insured.

George Knox ● 6441d

Re  shall pass on your comments and information to Noel who is still recoverng at home.      xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx          give him our wishes for a speedy and full recovery. If the miscreant is ever  " found " I strongly expect the person will be someone from abroad and without the age old established requirements we in this country have abided by as good law-abiding citizens.

Tony Price ● 6441d

Re  before the checking process will also confirm if a car is insured.        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx      they do that as well, that's how  my chinese friend got caught, he had no insurance nor licence ( very few do ) but even if the car is on the Insurance database, that does not mean there is insurance in force for who is driving or the purpose for which they are driving. Most asylum seekers and immigrants are not able to prove any insurance history ( the former having fled in haste for their lives you understand ) and thus are faced with gross premium quotations, which they can't afford, thus don't bother. The absurd situation is IF they get caught, the fine is usually £250, much less than one quarter of the insurance premium.My friend was summonsed but never bothered to turn up at Court, and the Authorities have never pursued the matter, same with another friend of his, 4 years ago apparently. The Police say they decline to chase up as the miscreants disappear  into " the ethnic mists ". There is one law for them and one for us. But the Police do now have vehicles equiped to suss out uninsured VEHICLES, due to the vast increase in such vehicles, due to we know what.

Tony Price ● 6441d