3 year high for hit and run accidents, what to do if you are involved

According to the Department for Transport's figures the latest number of hit and run accidents was 17,122 which is an 2.7% increase from the 2014 figure of 16,667.

​Research commissioned by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), the organisation who compensates drivers for hit and run accidents, suggests that some drivers didn't stop because they didn’t know they had to. Of course there may be more likely reasons such as the driver had been drinking, did not have a licence or a valid motor insurance policy. 
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Hit and run and the Road Traffic Act

​Under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 if a driver of a vehicle causes injury to another person or damage to another vehicle, animal or property the driver must stop and is required to give details to any person that has reasonable grounds for requiring them.

The details the driver must provide after a road accident are:

• their name
• their address
• if the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, the name and address of the owner
• the registration number of the vehicle

​If there is no-one around for the driver to give the information to, they must report the accident to the police. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.
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What to do after a hit and run road accident

With any accident the first priority is to check everyone is safe and obtain medical assistance if required. If you or anyone in your vehicle has suffered serious injuries then the emergency services should be contacted, including the police.

Your best prospects of recovering any losses you have suffered as a result of the accident is if the fleeing driver is found. Therefore if you are able to obtain secure evidence at the scene then you should.

The registration number, make and model of the vehicle may help the police or your insurers track the owner. So at the scene make a note of everything you can remember about the vehicle (direction of travel, damage, colour etc.), the driver (gender, appearance etc.) and details of any passengers.

If you have your phone with you take photographs of the accident location and the damage to your vehicle, these photographs may help later if you have to try and prove the accident circumstances.

If your vehicle is not safe or legal to drive contact your insurers to see if they can arrange recovery of your vehicle. Depending on the level of insurance cover you may have to arrange and pay for the recovery and repairs to your vehicle yourself. If you are a member of a recovery service (RAC, AA, Green Flag etc.) then they may be able assist in recovery, keeping the costs down.

​If you do pay out for anything related to the accident ensure you keep the receipts to claim back later.
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Hit & Run Checklist

What to do after being involved in a collision

• Stop your vehicle in a safe place
• Check youself and passengers for injuries
• Call the emergency services if anyone is injured or if there is a hazard to other road users
• Make a note of everything you remember about the fleeing driver and their vehicle
• Check for witnesses and take photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage
• Report the incident to the police and your insurance company ASAP
• Keep records of all charges and expenses in relation to the accident to claim back

Untraced Driver Claim Process

​Witnesses to a hit and run

Are there any independent witnesses? If so, ask them what they saw, whether they have additional  information about the vehicle and the driver. Ask them for contact details so that the police, insurance company or your legal representative can contact them at a later date if required.

Are there any CCTV cameras in the area? Is it possible there may be a recording of the accident or the vehicle that didn't stop? If the CCTV is attached to premises that are open see if you can speak to someone and ask them to keep the recording as it may be needed to trace the driver that did not stop.

Do you have a dash-cam installed? If so remember to remove it along with the memory card if your vehicle is being taken by the police or to a garage.
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​Claiming after a hit and run accident

If your vehicle is driveable, once you're home contact your insurer and report the accident to them. Find out what assistance your insurer can provide in relation to repairs. It may be that your insurer will not pay out for all the losses you have sustained and you may have to pay your policy excess, so it may be worthwhile contacting a solicitor for some initial legal advice on the various options available to you.

Most importantly the accident should always be reported to the police as soon as possible. If the driver is not traced and your insurance policy does not cover all the losses you have sustained as a result of the hit and run then you may be able to claim against the MIB.

If this is the case the MIB has strict time limits for involving the police. If you are only claiming for property damage (your vehicle, cargo, personal items etc.) then the accident must be reported to the police within five days. If you are claiming for injury you have to report the accident to the police within 14 days.