Road Traffic Accidents Claims

Hit-and-Run Compensation Claims

What you need to know

  • Over 10% of all road accidents in Great Britain that involve injury are a ‘hit-and-run’ or ‘fail to stop’ incident.

  • A hit-and-run can leave you dealing with injuries, financial losses and unanswered questions about who was responsible. Even if the driver left the scene and cannot be identified, you may still be able to pursue compensation.

  • If you have been injured in a hit-and-run road traffic accident and the incident was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries, loss of earnings and related expenses. Premier Legal Assist can put you in touch with specialist personal injury solicitors who can fight your corner, no win, no fee.

Find out if you're eligible to make a claim after a hit-and-run incident by getting in touch with Premier Legal Assist today.

It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped, currently at 25% of your general and past special damages, to ensure you keep the majority of your payout. You may be charged cancellation fees by the legal service we introduce you to if you cancel your agreement after any applicable cooling-off period and before the claim is concluded.

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Hit-and-run accidents

A hit-and-run accident happens when a driver is involved in a collision but leaves the scene without stopping, exchanging details or helping to deal with the aftermath. This may involve a driver leaving immediately after impact, giving false details, failing to report the accident, or driving away before the injured person has had the chance to identify them.

These incidents can be particularly distressing because the injured person may be left not only dealing with pain, shock and vehicle damage, but also worrying that there is no obvious insurer to claim against. However, a claim may still be possible even if the driver is never found.

In many hit-and-run cases, the claim is not pursued in the same way as a standard road traffic accident claim against a known driver’s insurer. Instead, compensation may be available through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, also known as the MIB. The MIB provides a route for people injured by uninsured or untraced drivers, including victims of hit-and-run accidents.

Evidence can be especially important in these cases. CCTV, dashcam footage, witness details, photographs of the scene, vehicle damage, police reference numbers and even a partial registration number may all help show what happened and support the claim.
Hit-and-run accidents can involve many types of road user, including drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. Injuries can vary widely depending on the circumstances of the collision, but may include:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Head and brain injuries
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Chest and shoulder injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries 
  • Cuts and bruising
  • Internal injuries
  • Psychological injuries such as anxiety, PTSD and depression 

The effects are not always limited to the injury itself. A hit-and-run accident may also lead to time off work, loss of earnings, medical treatment costs, travel expenses, care needs, rehabilitation costs and emotional distress.

In 2024, official figures recorded 128,272 road casualties of all severities in Great Britain, including 29,467 people who were killed or seriously injured. While not all of these involved hit-and-run drivers, the figures show the serious impact road traffic accidents continue to have.

Compensation claims for hit-and-run accidents

Drivers have a legal duty to stop after an accident where someone is injured or property is damaged. If the driver who caused your accident failed to stop, you may still be able to claim compensation, even if they are not traced.

If the driver is later identified and has valid insurance, the claim may be pursued through their insurer. If they are uninsured or cannot be traced, the claim may instead be handled through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.

Prompt action is important: if the driver did not stop or exchange details, the accident should be reported to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours. A police reference number can also be important evidence when a claim is investigated.

If it is safe to do so, try to make a note of anything you remember about the vehicle, including its colour, make, model, direction of travel and any part of the registration number. Witness details, nearby CCTV, dashcam footage, photographs, medical records and receipts for accident-related expenses can all help support your claim.

If you believe another driver caused your injuries and then left the scene, Premier Legal Assist can assess your enquiry and, where appropriate, connect you with specialist personal injury solicitors.

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Investigate your claim with Premier Legal Assist

We understand how distressing it can be to be the victim of a hit-and-run, especially when the driver who caused it failed to stop or disappeared from the scene. Our team is on hand to assess your circumstances, and where appropriate, put you in touch with experienced solicitors to help you claim the compensation you deserve.

Our trusted panel of personal injury solicitors specialise in road traffic accident claims and will ensure that your claim is handled with care and professionalism, and if your claim is eligible, they will seek to recover the compensation you are owed.

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Compensation for injuries caused by a hit-and-run: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You may be able to bring a claim if the accident happened within the relevant time limits and there is evidence that another driver caused or contributed to what happened. A claim may still be possible even if the driver cannot be identified. Compensation may be available through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau in hit and run cases.

Premier Legal Assist is a FCA regulated claims management firm that works with experienced solicitors specialising in road traffic accident claims, including those involving hit-and-run incidents

To get started, simply fill in our short online form with details about what happened and the injuries you suffered. Once we have reviewed your enquiry, we will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation.

If your claim is eligible, we will refer you to a member of our panel of specialist road traffic accident compensation solicitors. Should they agree to take your case on, they will handle the full claims process for you, including gathering evidence, dealing with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau where appropriate, and working to secure compensation on a no-win, no-fee basis.

For personal injury claims, you do not need to use a representative to make a claim for low-level personal injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. You can claim through the online Official Injury Claims portal yourself, for free. If your injury damages exceed the small claims limit, we recommend you use a specialist legal service.

If your compensation claim is successful, then its value will depend on the seriousness of your injuries and the wider impact they have had on your life, work and recovery. There is no fixed amount that applies to every case.

Compensation is usually made up of two parts:

  1. General Damages relate to your pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
  2. Special Damages cover financial losses connected to the accident, such as lost earnings, medical expenses, travel costs, rehabilitation costs and care or support needs.

Less serious injuries may attract awards worth a few thousand pounds, whereas more severe or long-term injuries can lead to much higher settlements. If your claim is eligible, your solicitor will use medical evidence and financial evidence to assess what your case may be worth. 

These accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries depending on the type of collision, the speed involved, and how the injured person was affected. Common injuries include but are not limited to:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Head injuries
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Chest and shoulder injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Cuts and bruising
  • Internal injuries
  • Psychological injuries such as anxiety, PTSD and depression

In the most serious cases, particularly where injuries are multiple or long-term, compensation can be substantial, especially if ongoing care is needed and income has been affected.

Not always. While a registration number can be helpful, a hit-and-run claim may still be possible without it if there is enough evidence to show that another driver caused the accident. CCTV, dashcam footage, witness statements, photographs, and police details can all help support the claim.

Yes, that is usually very important. If details are not given at the time of the accident, the accident must be reported to the police within 24 hours. Police reference details can also be useful evidence when a claim is investigated. 

A claim may still proceed, but the route may change depending on whether the driver is identified and whether valid insurance is in place. In some cases, the claim may continue through the MIB, while in others it may instead be pursued against a known insurer.

Good evidence can be very important in showing how the accident happened and why the other driver may be at fault. The exact evidence will depend on the case, but often includes:

  • Photographs of the accident scene
  • CCTV or dashcam footage
  • Medical records and reports
  • Witness details and statements
  • Police reference details
  • Vehicle details if any part of the registration or description is known
  • Proof of financial losses

A solicitor acting for you would normally help obtain the evidence needed to support both liability and the value of your claim.

Potentially, yes. A hit-and-run claim is not limited to drivers. Passengers, cyclists, pedestrians and other injured road users may also be able to claim compensation if they were injured because of an untraced driver.

Usually not. Most road traffic accident claims are resolved without the need for a Court hearing, usually through negotiations between your solicitor and the relevant insurer or compensation body.

Court proceedings are uncommon because both sides will often want to avoid the extra time, cost and uncertainty involved. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, your claim may need to go to Court. If that happens, a judge will consider the evidence, decide who was responsible for the accident, and, where appropriate, determine how much compensation should be awarded.

If your case is taken on by one of our panel solicitors, they will manage the process on your behalf, including dealing with the claim route that applies, negotiating a settlement, and representing your interests throughout the claim.

In most cases, no. Our panel of specialist personal injury solicitors handle claims on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means there is nothing to pay upfront and you will not be charged legal fees if your claim does not succeed.

It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped (currently at 25% of your general and past special damages) to ensure you keep the majority of your payout.

You may be charged cancellation fees by the legal service we introduce you to if you cancel your agreement after any applicable cooling-off period and before the claim is concluded.

Before anything goes ahead, your solicitor will explain the funding arrangement clearly so you understand exactly how it works and what, if anything, may be deducted if your claim is successful.

Get in Touch with Premier Legal Assist

If you have been injured in a hit-and-run road traffic accident that was not your fault, you may have grounds to seek compensation. If your case is eligible, we can put you in touch with specialist personal injury solicitors who work on a no-win, no-fee basis.

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Our Client Commitment

At Premier Legal Assist, we’re here to make sure your voice is heard.

We are committed to:

  • Listening to you and treating your concerns with respect and understanding.
  • Acting quickly and fairly to assess your case and connect you with experienced and specialist personal injury solicitors.
  • Keeping things clear by explaining your options in plain English and avoiding technical legal jargon.
  • Supporting you throughout the claims process – no pressure, no upfront costs, no time wasting.
  • Respecting your privacy by protecting your personal data.
  • Putting your well-being first, helping you achieve the outcome you deserve following your workplace accident.

Because everyone has the right to the compensation they deserve.

Important Information

Premier Legal Assist is a claims management company. You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint, you can complain to the organisation you are complaining about directly. If the issue is not resolved, you can refer it to the relevant independent Ombudsman service for free.

For personal injury claims, you do not need to use a representative to make a claim for low-level personal injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. You can claim through the online Official Injury Claims portal yourself, for free. If your injury damages exceed the small claims limit, we recommend you use a specialist legal service.

For all other types of personal injury, including medical negligence, employment claims and workplace injuries, we always recommend discussing your claim with a legal professional. You should only proceed with a claim when you understand the risks and associated costs.