I Was Injured In A Car Accident Without Insurance, How Do I Make A Claim?
By Stephen Moreau. Last Updated 25th July 2024. A car accident caused by one or multiple road users can potentially cause serious injuries to those involved. If someone is injured in a car accident and can prove it was caused by another party involved, then they may be eligible to claim against that liable party. However, you may be asking, “I have been in a car accident without insurance that was not my fault. Can I still claim compensation?”
Typically, when a car driver is involved in an accident in their vehicle, they will claim for damages from either their own policy provider or from the policy covering another party if they’re at fault. Claims can be more complicated, however, if a driver involved in an accident is without insurance.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what happens if you are in a car accident without insurance and in what circumstances you’re eligible to claim. We’ll also discuss potential payouts if you do have a valid case, the time limit for claiming and the benefits of claiming for a car accident with a No Win No Fee solicitor.
To learn more about your eligibility to claim and to get assistance if you have a strong case, contact our advisors now by:
- Phoning us on 020 3870 4868
- Writing to us by using our claim online page.
- Or by using our 24/7 live chat support.
Services And Information
- What Is A Car Accident Without Insurance?
- Compensation Payouts For Car Accidents Without Insurance
- What Happens If You Crash Without Insurance In The UK?
- Could I Claim If Someone Else Caused The Accident?
- Can You Claim If You Are Insured But The Other Driver Is Not
- How Much Time Do I Have To Claim For A Car Accident Without Insurance
- Can I Claim For A Car Accident With A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
- Other Information Relating To Car Accident Claims
What Is A Car Accident Without Insurance?
There are various different ways that a car accident can occur. There are also many different kinds of accidents that can result in a person being injured and it could happen to any road user. You could be injured in a pedestrian accident, as a cyclist hit by a car or any other road user. One example is a T-Bone or side-impact road traffic accident. This is when one car crashes into the side of another. It can happen if one driver turns without checking to see if another car is coming. Accidents can also happen if you’re hit by a car at a junction, a roundabout, or as the result of an undertaking car driving dangerously.
Another kind of car accident that can occur on a public road is a head-on collision. This is where two cars drive towards each other and crash into the front of each other. A crash of this kind could occur if one vehicle was driving down the wrong side of the road.
What happens to uninsured drivers in an accident in the UK?
At the very least, every driver in the UK must have third-party vehicle insurance by law. If you were involved in a car accident without insurance, and the police find out you were driving without insurance, you could be fined.
There is a fixed penalty charge of £300, and you could receive 6 penalty points on your licence. However, if the case goes to court, you may end up being disqualified from driving. You could also receive an unlimited fine.
Compensation Payouts For Car Accidents Without Insurance
If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by another’s negligence, but the faulting driver did not have insurance, you could still potentially claim car accident compensation. As aforementioned, you would do this through the MIB.
The MIB still calculates compensation similarly to legal professionals in general personal injury claims, using relevant evidence and the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help value car accident claim payouts.
You can find some examples of brackets from the 2022 edition of the JCG in the table below, but it’s important to remember that these are only guidelines. If your claim is successful, the actual compensation you may receive could differ.
| Injury: | Severity: | Compensation: |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries and special damages | Serious | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Brain or Head Injury | Moderately severe | £267,340 to £344,150 |
| Hand Injuries | Loss of both hands | £171,680 to £245,900 |
| Back Injuries | Severe | £111,150 to £196,450 |
| Leg Injury - Amputation | Above Knee Amputation of One Leg | £127,930 to £167,760 |
| Arm Injuries | Severe injuries | £117,360 to £159,770 |
| Injuries to the Pelvis and Hips | Severe (i) | £95,680 to £159,770 |
| Shoulder Injuries | Severe | £23,430 to £58,610 |
| Whiplash Tariff | 1+ whiplash and psychological injuries | £4,345 |
| Whiplash Tariff | 1+ whiplash injuries | £4,215 |
The figures in the table above relate to general damages. This is the compensation for your injuries and the effect they have on you and your life. However, you may also be entitled to special damages, which covers the financial costs related to your injuries. This could include:
- Loss of earnings
- Travel expenses
- Medical bills
- Damage to your vehicle
- Domestic help, such as housekeeping or childcare
Contact our advisors today to learn more about making a car accident claim and what you could claim for under special damages. They can offer you a free consultation and an estimate of what your claim could be worth.
What Happens If You Crash Without Insurance In The UK?
Many people often wonder, ‘what happens if you crash without insurance in the UK?’. If you are injured in an accident that was caused entirely by your own negligence, you will not be able to claim compensation. However, you may still be able to claim a partial payout if you can prove you were not fully to blame.
However, if you had an accident as an uninsured driver yourself, it complicates the process of making a claim. Whilst you would be permitted to make a claim if you were injured as an uninsured driver yourself, it is also illegal to drive without an insurance policy in place. Therefore, it would be uncovered that you were breaking the law whilst also sustaining your injury. Legal action could then be taken against you.
If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to claim, get in touch with our advisors today. We are here 24/7 to answer any queries you may have regarding your claim. The more information we have about your specific circumstances, the more accurately we will be able to help you. We can also give you a valuation of any potential claims.
Could I Claim If Someone Else Caused The Accident?
If you have a fully comprehensive insurance policy, this means your own insurance company can pay out following an accident. You could make a claim to cover the costs of your vehicle damage.
Even if you weren’t at fault, your insurance premiums could increase, and you may lose your no-claims bonus. This is because your insurance is paying out for the costs of the damage to your car, rather than the other parties’ insurance compensating you for it.
I was in a car accident without insurance in the UK, is it my fault and do I have to pay for the damage?
If you were involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t hold insurance, you could also claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). They are a non-profit organisation that provides compensation where the usual routes to compensation (for example, through an insurance company) are difficult or impossible to achieve. The MIB will be able to pay you compensation for your injuries as well as vehicle repair.
However, if it was your negligent behaviour that caused the accident, you would not be able to claim compensation for your injuries. You may also struggle to make a split liability claim, where both parties admit some responsibility, if the other party is uninsured.
What happens if I was in a car accident without insurance that wasn’t my fault?
If you suffered injuries in an accident with a road user that didn’t have insurance, and it wasn’t your fault, you could claim. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau could process a claim for an uninsured driver’s accident victim.
What steps can I take in the UK if I was in a car accident without insurance that was not my fault?
There are various things you could do if you’re in a car accident with a driver without insurance. Firstly, you could seek medical attention. You could also record footage or take photos of the accident scene. If possible, you could gather witness contact details. There may even be dashcam footage of the incident. All this could help you claim.
You could also consider claiming against an uninsured driver or through the Motor Insurer’s Bureau. We could give you guidance on which route to compensation you could take.
What if I was in a car accident without insurance where a company vehicle hit me?
All vehicles on the road are required to have a minimal amount of insurance. The minimum insurance policy is third party. Company cars or vans should all be insured so that if the driver is at fault for the accident, a victim could claim compensation. If you have been involved in an accident with an at-fault company car that has no insurance call our advisors. We could give you information on how to proceed with a claim.
Can You Claim If You Are Insured But The Other Driver Is Not
There are two ways you can make a claim against an uninsured driver:
Uninsured drivers claims / comprehensive cover
If you have comprehensive insurance, you can claim for damage to your car through your insurance provider. However, in doing this, you may lose your no-claims bonus. Even if this doesn’t happen, your insurance provider could increase your premium upon renewal. You won’t be able to receive payment for your injuries when claiming through comprehensive cover either.
Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB)
If you don’t have comprehensive insurance, you could claim through the MIB. This means you could keep your no-claims bonus, and your car insurance premium costs may not go up.
The Motor Insurer’s Bureau will consider claims for vehicle damage and personal injury where these claims can’t be made elsewhere, such as to an insurance company.
How Much Time Do I Have To Claim For A Car Accident Without Insurance
The personal injury claims time limit is generally three years. That’s three years from when you suffer the accident or discover your injuries are due to the car accident. If you are under 18, however, the three-year time limit begins on your 18th birthday.
While you’re still underage, a friend or family member can act as a litigation friend to pursue the claim on your behalf. Similarly, if you are mentally incapacitated, the personal injury claims time limit begins if you regain your mental capacity. You would then also have the same 3 years. Otherwise, someone you trust can become a litigation friend to file the claim for you.
We recommend you get in touch with our team of advisors as soon as possible to ensure you are within the three-year time limit. Our advisors are available 24/7 and can offer you free legal advice.
They can have a chat with you about your accident and injuries. If they feel you have a valid claim, they can then forward you to our expert panel of lawyers. You shouldn’t have to suffer because of someone else’s irresponsible driving – let our panel of solicitors help you.
Can I Claim For A Car Accident With A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
If you suffered injuries in a car accident that was not your fault, you could be eligible to claim compensation, including if you were hit by an uninsured driver. You may wish to use the services of a No Win No Fee solicitor for your road traffic accident claim. They may represent you under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a type of No Win No Fee arrangement.
When your solicitor represents you on a No Win No Fee basis, they generally won’t ask you for an upfront payment to cover their services or to pay any ongoing solicitors fees. If your solicitor cannot secure you compensation, they usually aren’t going to ask you to pay for their services. A success fee will be taken out of your award by your solicitor should they recover compensation. The percentage they can take is limited by the law.
Call our advisors if you were hit by a driver that had no car insurance. All the advice they offer is free. Additionally, they can check your claim’s eligibility. If it is valid and you would like to proceed with our services, you could be connected with our panel of solicitors.
To speak to an advisor:
- Call 020 3870 4868
- Use our live chat at the lower righthand of your screen.
- Use our form to start a claim online.
Other Information Relating To Car Accident Claims
Personal Injury Claims: Have you suffered an accident that may not have been your fault? Our guide explores how you can make a personal injury claim to gain compensation.
Road Traffic Accident Solicitors: If you have suffered a road traffic accident, our article guides you through the personal injury claims process.
Claim for a Car Accident That Aggravated a Pre-Existing Condition: Learn how to claim compensation if a car accident that was not your fault led to an existing condition worsening.
What Happens If I Am Hit By An Uninsured Driver? – Uninsured Motorist Compensation In The UK: If you have been hit by an uninsured driver, our guide discusses how you can make a personal injury claim to compensate for your injuries.
How do I know if I’ve Broken a Bone?: If you suspect you may have a broken bone injury, this NHS article contains the signs and treatment.
Broken Arm or Wrist: Do you suspect you may have a broken arm or wrist injury? This NHS guide includes the treatment and recovery time.
The Highway Code: The Highway Code provides guidance to the duty of care that all road users owe to one another.
