According to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), uninsured drivers account for more than 26,000 accidents annually.

While it is a legal requirement in the UK to ensure your vehicle is adequately insured, there are, unfortunately, many drivers who choose to legally and financially put themselves at risk.

But what happens to uninsured drivers in an accident?

What happens if you are an uninsured driver?

First, it is important to state that it is illegal to drive a car in the UK without insurance.

If a driver is injured as a result of an accident, they are entitled to make a claim if there was negligence involved on the part of the other motorist involved – irrespective of whether they are insured or not.

There are some legal rights that uninsured drivers have if they are involved an accident. However, they will still face charges from the police. Being discovered to be driving without insurance alone will result in a £300 on-the-spot fine and six to eight points added to a driver’s licence.

In more serious cases, they may be arrested, face a driving ban, and have their vehicle seized.

Additional fines can also be applied, up to as much as £5,000, depending on the circumstances.

What happens if you are hit by an uninsured driver?

Being involved in any car accident is scary, but the most important thing is to stay calm and collect as much information about the other driver and their vehicle as possible.

This will include the following:

• The make, model and registration of the car
• The name and address of the other driver
• The details of witnesses and photos of the damage to your vehicle

You should also call the police to report the collision as soon as possible, and tell them the other driver is uninsured. In some instances, failing to do so will be considered an offence and could result in fines and penalties.

When making a claim, the UK’s laws are clear, so if you have been in an accident with an uninsured driver that has left you physically harmed or caused you to suffer financial loss, you may be entitled to compensation.

What happens if you are at fault for the accident?

If you are the driver at fault for an accident where you sustained an injury, in most cases you will not be able to make a compensation claim.

The only exception is if the other driver was also partly to blame, in which case a claim may be pursued.

However, in terms of insurance claims, the other uninsured driver should still be able to claim from your insurance policy despite not having insurance themselves.

You should also be able to claim to cover any damage to your vehicle.

Why is it important to ensure your car is fully insured?

Not only is having car insurance a legal requirement, but it also gives you financial protection in the event of an accident.

Some insurance will even cover claims where you are at fault for the accident and have caused injuries to others.

How to make a claim against an uninsured driver?

Being injured in a road traffic accident (RTA) can be incredibly distressing, but then finding out that the driver who caused the accident is uninsured can be cause for further concern.

However, if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may be entitled to claim compensation through the MIB.

The MIB is a national mechanism which provides compensation for victims of accidents caused by uninsured and untraced drivers.

The organisation pays a set amount of money every year to ensure victims of road accidents receive the compensation and support they are entitled to. Ultimately, its aim is to assist the police force in removing uninsured vehicles from the road and keep the public safe.

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident with an uninsured driver, our team is here to help.

At Wafer Phillips, we understand that RTAs can often be traumatic, which is why it is our job to ensure that you don’t have to suffer financial and other hardships as a result of someone else’s negligence.

To find out more about RTAs involving uninsured drivers, visit our dedicated page.

If you have any questions or think you may be entitled to make a claim, don’t hesitate to contact our team today on 0151 256 7898 for a free initial consultation.