Hit By an Uninsured Driver

Malieki182

So I was hit in the rear by a car on the weekend. I was driving along and a car pulled into my lane, deciding that I didn't have a comfortable breaking distance I decided to slow down.
The guy behind me thought better and decided to try and fit his car in my boot, and the car behind him followed suite.

We pull over and exchange details, it turns out the driver that rear ended me doesn't have any insurance.

So far I have spoken to my insurance company and they have advised that I need to speak to the Motor Insurance Bureau and try and seek payment from them.

The damage is a written off car and my fiancee, friend and myself all suffering neck and back injuries.

From hearing about the MIB it doesn't sound like I will get anywhere near what the car is worth or a true reflection of the injuries in a payout, however the guy that hit me has advised that he will give me the money for the car (outside of going through insurance companies/court).

Should I take the money for the car and forget about seeking any compensation for the injuries, should I try and raise a personal claim against him for the car and previously mentioned injuries (£1500 for car + 3x injuries), or should I go to the MIB and raise a claim with them?

From my colleagues and friends/families experiences with the MIB it sounds like they might throw some miniscule money my way to cover an insignificant amount of the costs involved in getting a new car and paying for any physio/occupational care required to fix myself and the other occupants of the car.

Please help!

dacouch

Are you comprehensive cover

Malieki182

TPFT

I have heard that my fiancee and friend can claim off my insurance for their injuries, but then I get the joy of 5 years of increased premiums and an excess to pay.

It seems very odd that someone can decide not to pay insurance and then doesn't seem to get held accountable for footing the bill, et those that have insurance pick up the costs?

Gloomendoom

Have you reported them to the police?

forgotmyname

If you called the police & they arrested them they may get a couple of hundred £ fine at most.

Watching the police/traffic shows on TV some people seem to get away with a lot.

Finefoot

Please, please please go and seek medical opinion, legal opinion. Sometimes injury does not show up straight away, I know someone in exactly the same position, (uninsured foreign driver) and is now permanently disabled from nerve damage as they did not receive appropriate treatment immediately.
The driver has also committed an offence.
Who is the owner of the car? Did you find out? it may be that you could persue a claim from them. Your car insurance company or home insurance may have legal cover on the policy, use it.
You dont have to take the settlement the MIB offer, but bear in mind they will want to see documented evidence for everything.
Best of luck.

Malieki182

The police turned up at the accident, did the general breathalisers etc.
I asked them to check out my insurance as I couldn't remember who it was with to advise the other parties (all came through for me )
Unfortunately on checking the other guy there was nothing. I am speaking to the police tomorrow to find out what came of this as my car was drivable and they advised that I was free to go and everything was sorted; basically they hadn't checked this joker out yet.

I sought medical opinion and the doctor advised that myself and my fiancee are okay, just needed a week off work. I felt alright today and at one point forgot I had any injury and picked up a friends child, big mistake. My friend went to the doctor who offered her a week off, but she declined as is just working from home (i doubt that will help her case at all).

I just need to know basically are the MIB the kind of company you invest time into to try and get the same outcome as if an insured person had hit me, or are they going to throw pennies at me.
If this guy does move back to India is there anything I can do, or should I just say to the guy what can you offer me?

I am speaking to the MIB, CAB, police, a criminal solicitor and my insurance tomorrow but fear at the end of this, I am going to be left picking up the cheque to someone elses dinner.

Malieki182

Oooh meant to say, the guy text me asking to say that it was just my car and the third car involved. Basically he wanted me to pretend he wasn't there and just claim of the guy at the back. I declined this as lets face it... that just isn't going to happen.
I am letting any calls from the guy go to voice mail, all texts and emails are being kept.

Malieki182

Apologies for the random addition of information, my head still isn't on quite straight yet. He is the registered owner/keeper.
He had insurance on the motor up until last month, I guess he let it lapse as he was only going to be in the country for a couple more months and figured he wouldn't need it.

kwaks

Malieki182 wrote: »

Apologies for the random addition of information, my head still isn't on quite straight yet. He is the registered owner/keeper.
He had insurance on the motor up until last month, I guess he let it lapse as he was only going to be in the country for a couple more months and figured he wouldn't need it.

All the more reason why it goes through MIB, he could do a runner at any time.

mikey72

The driver at the back is liable as well, you can make a claim off his insurance.