How Much Compensation Do You Get For A Hit And Run?

The amount of compensation you get for a hit and run accident can vary based on the type of injury or injuries you suffer, as well as their severity.

Please find below a table containing several injuries you could sustain in the event of a hit and run accident, alongside a guideline compensation figure. The figures provided have been selected from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which is a publication designed to help legal practitioners calculate compensation. Specifically, the JCG contains a collection of compensation brackets based on a vast variety of different injuries, which your solicitor may use to help them value your claim.

However, please note that the first figure in this table has not been selected from the JCG, and the figures below are designed to function as a guide only. We’ve also included 2 tariff figures from the Whiplash Injury Regulations. If you suffer whiplash in a motor vehicle accident, this injury may be valued using these tariff amounts.

Injuries	Compensation Guidelines	Notes
Multiple Severe Injuries with Special Damages	Up to £1 million+	Settlements may include compensation for multiple injuries and related costs, such as lost wages and nursing.
Tetraplegia	£396,140 to £493,000	This award is determined by a variety of factors such as presence of pain and sensation, the level of independence, the age of the injured party and their overall quality of life post-injury.
Paraplegia	£267,340 to £346,890	This award is affected by the presence and intensity of pain, level of independence, depression, age and life expectancy as well as the impact on sexual function.
Brain and Head Moderate (ii)	£110,720 to £183,190	The injured party has a moderate to modest decline in intellectual capacity, their ability to work is severely reduced if not removed entirely and there is a risk of epilepsy.
Psychiatric Damage Generally Severe	£66,920 to £141,240	The following is taken into consideration: the injured party's ability to cope with life, the impact on relationships, how successful treatment will be, future vulnerability, whether a prognosis has been established and whether medical intervention has occured.
Back Severe (ii)	£90,510 to £107,910	Certain special features need to be present to qualify for this bracket including but not limited to: nerve root damage, impaired mobility and unsightly scarring.
Pelvis and Hips Severe (ii)	£75,550 to £95,680	Presence of a fracture dislocation resulting in impotence; or traumatic myositis ossificans with formation of ectopic bone around the hip.
Hand - Serious Injury to the Thumb	£15,370 to £20,460	Amputation to the tip of the thumb might be required, the insertion of wires causing cold sensations and sensitivity as well as impaired function of the thumb.
Whiplash Tariff	£4,345	This tariff amount applies to whiplash injuries with minor psychological damage lasting between 18 months and up to 2 years.
Whiplash Tariff	£4,215	This is the tariff amount awarded for whiplash injuries with symptoms lasting between 18-24 months.

What Determines The Amount Of Hit And Run Compensation You Get?

Certain factors will determine the amount of hit and run compensation you can get. This is because compensation is based on the unique circumstances of each accident, so the amount varies on a case-by-case basis.

Some factors that will influence the amount of compensation include:

The type of injury you have sustained and its severity
The length of your recovery period
Whether the injury has caused you to endure financial losses

There are two main heads of compensation: general damages and special damages. The former is designed to compensate you for any pain or suffering you have experienced because of the accident. Taking into account:

The severity of the injury
Impact on quality of life
Psychological damage
Invasive treatment
Disfigurement or deformity
Future pain and suffering

The latter is utilised when the injury is significant enough that it has caused you to encounter financial losses as a direct result of your injury. Some examples of financial loss might be:

Care costs
Loss of wages
Adaptations to property
Travel expenses
Medical bills
Future loss of earnings
Other out-of-pocket expenses

If you believe the injury or injuries you have suffered in a hit and run accident have cost you money, then you may be eligible for special damages. If this is the case, you will need to provide evidence in the form of documented costs. For example:

Travel receipts from travelling to the hospital or GP
Medical bills
Receipts for vehicle repair work
Payslips to recover your loss of earnings

Compensation in relation to damages can be complicated if it’s the first time you are learning about it. If you have questions about how general and special damages work, please call us today so we can walk you through it. We can also provide you with a free estimate of how much compensation do you get for a hit and run that is specific to your claim.

Who Is Able To Make Hit And Run Claims?

Anyone involved in a hit and run accident can make a claim as long as certain eligibility criteria are met:

A road user owed you a duty of care
They breached this duty of care
You suffered an injury (it might be psychological or physical)

This duty of care is achieved by taking reasonable care to avoid causing injury or damage in compliance with the Road Traffic Accident Act 1988 and the Highway Code.

If someone fails to uphold this duty of care and it causes a car, cycling, or motorcyclist accident or a pedestrian is hit by a car, the injured party may be eligible to make a road traffic accident claim.

Curious about how much compensation you get for a hit and run accident? Talk to our team to find out if you have a valid hit and run claim.

Who Will Hit And Run Claims Be Made Against?

The claim will be made against the driver who hit you and they will be legally referred to as the defendant. However, not all hit-and-run drivers are located immediately. In the event that the driver responsible can’t be traced, your claim can be made via the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). This is a UK-based company that provides compensation to victims of road traffic accidents when the hit and run driver is:

Uninsured
Untraceable

Your personal injury solicitor will typically make an online claim to the MIB whilst collecting evidence of your hit and run accident. In the event that the driver still can’t be traced, you will still be able to secure compensation via the MIB. In the background, the police will pursue legal charges against the driver for fleeing the scene, as this is against the law.

Our panel of solicitors can assist eligible claimants in making a claim through the MIB. Give us a call today if this is the case for you.

The Common Injuries After A Hit And Run

There are common injuries that people will typically suffer in the event of a hit and run accident. Please find some examples below:

Whiplash: The neck forcefully and rapidly being moved backwards and forward, like a whip causes an injury.
Broken bones: The bones break due to excessive force in the form of a direct blow.
PTSD: A mental health condition developed from witnessing or being involved in a traumatic event.
Head injuries: Any injury to the head, including the scalp, skull, brain, surrounding tissues and blood vessels.
Brain injuries: A disruption to the normal function of the brain due to an external force, such as a blow to the head.
Back injuries: Damage to the structure of the back, including bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and discs.

Have you sustained injuries in a car crash and are wondering how much compensation you get for a hit and run accident? Get in contact with one of our experts today so we can tell you if you have an eligible claim.

How To Make A Hit And Run Compensation Claim

When it comes to making a hit and run compensation claim, there are two important details to bear in mind:

How much time do I have to claim?
Do I have evidence?

Firstly, under the Limitation Act 1980, you are legally required to file your hit and run claim within a 3-year window. Typically, the clock will start on the date you suffered the injuries from the road traffic accident. If you fail to file the claim, the court will register your claim as time-barred.

Having said that, the legislation acknowledges that there are certain individuals who, despite having an eligible claim, will be unable to pursue it due to specific circumstances. Consequently, it would be unethical to expect these individuals to abide by the 3-year window; so, the legislation recognises them as legally exempt.

Those who are exempt are:

Adults lacking mental capacity to pursue a claim
Children under the age of 18 who are too young to claim

Due to these exceptions, the law established what is known as a litigation friend. This is a trusted individual, usually a family member, who can pursue a claim on behalf of the above individuals. The litigation friend will act in the best interests of the protected party and navigate matters such as decision-making, representation, and communication with legal professionals.

Secondly, you must secure evidence of the hit and run accident in order to strengthen the validity of your claim. Specifically, this evidence will demonstrate that the defendant is to blame for the accident and that you suffered injuries.

Many things can serve as evidence in a claim; however, you can find some examples below:

Photographs of the accident scene
Documentation of medical records
A police reference number if they arrived at the scene
Registration numbers and contact details of those involved
Photographs of damage to property
CCTV or dashcam footage of the collision

If you want to establish whether you still have time to claim, or what’s the best way to consolidate evidence, or how much compensation do you get for a hit and run accident? Call us today.

Claim For A Hit And Run On A No Win No Fee Basis

Here at How Much Compensation, we are dedicated to providing you with the best service possible on a No Win No Fee Basis. Our panel of solicitors are experts in their field and are committed to securing the highest possible compensation for your claim. Have a read of the services we provide:

We will tell you how strong your claim is
Show you a breakdown of how your compensation is calculated
Consolidate evidence for your claim, such as police reports and witness statements
Represent you in negotiations
Represent you in court proceedings
Explain how everything works in plain English, including your rights and potential claim outcomes

Our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors are experts in hit and run claims and will provide you with a Conditional Fee Agreement, also known as a CFA. You will immediately receive access to a wide range of benefits:

If your case loses, you won’t be charged a fee for the solicitor’s services
You won’t have to pay any upfront solicitor service costs
You won’t have to pay for any solicitor’s services while your claim is ongoing
If your claim is successful, you will pay a success fee. This is paid to your solicitor out of your compensation in the form of a legally limited percentage

Contact How Much Compensation

We hope that after reading our guide, you will feel more confident about navigating your own potential hit-and-run claim. However, if you’re still a bit unsure and require further guidance, make sure to reach out to our team today. We are here to listen and make sure that you get the help you deserve during this time.

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More Information

Some more guides by us:

Here, you will find more information on the compensation you may be eligible for in the event of a fractured jaw.
If you have suffered a facial injury, read our guide on facial scars and how much compensation you might be owed.
Suffered a soft tissue injury in a hit and run accident? Read up on soft tissue injury compensation.

Some additional reading:

Information about reporting a road traffic incident from the Police.
Experiencing anxiety after being in a car accident? Read these helpful tips on managing anxiety, fear or panic by the NHS.
Learn more about pedestrian safety from the Health and Safety Executive.

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