Nobody wants to get into a car accident with an uninsured driver. It makes an already tense and frightening situation feel even worse. But there is no need to worry. While the situation can feel hopeless, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Find out if the driver is insured
The vast majority of drivers have their vehicle insured. As most of you know, you are legally required to have insurance for your vehicle.
In the event that you find out the other driver isn’t insured, NI Direct recommends that you should report the uninsured driver to the police. If they are caught driving without insurance, they can receive a £300 fine on the spot and police will also add up to 8 penalty points to their license.
Collect Information
If you find out that the driver is uninsured, you should try to take down information like:
- Time and date of the accident
- Other car’s colour, model, and registration number
- Other driver’s name, address and telephone details
- Name, address, and telephone of any witnesses
It would also be beneficial if you take photos or video of the accident scene, including any damage to your vehicle. Try to capture as many angles as possible.
If the other driver isn’t insured and doesn’t want to provide their details, you should contact the police immediately.
Claim through the MIB
Claims like these are typically handled by the Motor Insurance Bureau, also known as the MIB, which is a body set up to compensate victims of untraced or uninsured motorists. Unfortunately, investigations can be slow, and they will not pay out if the accident was your fault. Because of the complex nature of making claims through the MIB, many car accident victims choose to contact solicitors like Paschal O’Hare to guide them through the process.
Paschal O’Hare has been helping accident victims navigate cases against uninsured drivers for over 50 years. If you’ve been involved in an accident and need assistance, contact us today.
