• Vast experience of supporting hit and run victims
• Hassle-free accident claims process
• 100% independent legal advice
• Successfully pursuing road traffic accident claims since 1993
• Free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your claim

Hit and run accidents are on the rise in Northern Ireland. Since 2013, there has been a 25% increase in collisions in which the driver fled the scene or was untraced. There are several reasons why a hit and run driver might leave the scene of an accident. Panic, being unaware of the accident, having no insurance, drink-driving and other illegal activity might result in a hit and run accident.

If you’ve been involved in a hit and run accident, we understand the enormous sense of frustration it brings. While it might feel like justice is evading you right now, there are things we can do to help you. Whether you are a driver, cyclist or pedestrian involved in a hit and run accident you have a right to claim compensation, even if the driver was never traced.

While hit and run accidents may cause damage to vehicles and property, in the most serious cases they also cause injuries to people. The severity of injuries varies dramatically but common injuries in hit and run accident claims include:

• Slight – Minor cuts, whiplash, bruising and shock.
• Less Serious – Deep cuts, minor head injuries, broken arms, lower legs and collarbone.
• Moderately Serious – Chest injuries, thigh or pelvis fractures and deep penetration wounds.
• Very Serious – Broken neck or spine, severe head injuries, severe chest injuries, and internal injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident through no fault of your own, you’re entitled to claim compensation. It doesn’t matter whether you were a driver, passenger, motorcyclist, cyclist or pedestrian, you are eligible to claim. You can also claim on behalf of a loved one who meets those criteria but is unable to make their own claim.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau is a not-for-profit organisation funded by insurance companies to help the victims of hit and run accidents and untraced drivers. Since we can’t claim compensation from the insurer of the driver involved in your accident, we instead claim from the MIB.

Under the MIB’s Untraced Drivers Scheme, you can secure compensation for injuries and other damage inflicted on you by a hit and run driver. Your claim proceeds in a similar way to other road traffic accident claims, but the MIB will pay compensation rather than a specific insurer.

If you’ve been involved in an accident in which a driver has fled the scene, you deserve a claim process that delivers the compensation you are entitled to as quickly as possible. That’s why we’ve designed our claims process to be simple and stress-free. Here’s what to expect.

Step 1: Contact Reid Black
Pick up the phone or send an email so that one of our solicitors can provide initial advice during a free, no-obligation consultation.

Step 2: Gathering Information
Next, we start gathering the information that will form the basis of your claim. This might include medical notes, information from the PSNI and video or photo evidence from the scene.

Step 3: Medical Assessment
We’ll arrange for you to be assessed by an independent medical professional so that we’re sure we know the full extent of your injuries and any long-term issues.

Step 4: Compensation Negotiations
With all that information collated, we can go to the MIB to secure the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to based on the nature of your injuries and any other damages you sustained.

Step 5: Compensation Payout
We will oversee your compensation payout right until the money reaches you to make sure that it is concluded promptly and conveniently.

In most cases, you need to make your hit and run accident claim within three years of the accident.

• If you were over 18 you must claim within three years of the date of the accident
• If you were under 18 at the time of the accident, you must claim by your 21st birthday

There are some exceptions in mitigating circumstances, such as if the extent of your injuries prevented you from claiming within the correct time frame. The safest option is to get in touch with us to start your claim as soon after a hit and run accident as you are well enough to do so.

The amount of compensation you receive for a hit and run accident will depend on the seriousness and long-term impact of the injuries you sustained. We have considerable experience of pursuing road traffic accident claims directly with insurers, as well as through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.

We can reassure you that the amount of compensation you receive will not be impacted by the fact that the driver has not been traced. We will always pursue the maximum amount based on your injuries, including:

General Damages
Compensation for the physical and psychological injuries you suffered in the hit and run accident.

Special Damages
Compensation covering money you’ve spent or lost because of the hit and run accident, such as medical bills, travel costs and loss of earnings.

We’ve been helping people in Northern Ireland who, just like you, have had their life impacted by a hit and run accident since 1993. Using all the experience and knowledge we’ve built during that time, we will guide you through a smooth process towards getting the compensation you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you make contact with one of our solicitors, you’re on the way to securing the compensation you deserve. Start the process today and we will handle everything else.