Yes, you may still be able to claim after a hit and run accident. If the driver responsible can't be traced, or turns out to be uninsured, a claim can often be made through the Motor Insurers' Bureau, an industry-funded body that steps in specifically to compensate victims of uninsured and untraced drivers.
In more detail
What is the Motor Insurers' Bureau?
The Motor Insurers' Bureau, or MIB, is funded by the UK motor insurance industry to compensate people injured by drivers who are uninsured or who can't be identified. It exists precisely for situations like hit and run accidents, where the usual route of claiming against the at-fault driver's insurer isn't available.
What evidence helps a hit and run claim?
Reporting the accident to the police as soon as possible is important, along with any details you can gather, a partial number plate, vehicle description, witness accounts, or CCTV or dashcam footage. Even partial information can sometimes help identify the driver or support an MIB claim.
Does it matter if the driver is later identified?
If the driver is identified after the claim has started, the claim may proceed against their insurer directly rather than through the MIB. Either way, reporting the incident promptly keeps both options open.
Is there a time limit for reporting a hit and run to make a claim?
Yes, MIB claims generally have their own specific reporting requirements, which can be shorter than the standard three year limitation period for personal injury claims generally, so it's important not to delay getting advice.