In this guide, we will look at how Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) claim amounts are calculated. If you’ve been injured in a road traffic accident that involved an uninsured or untraced driver, you may be wondering how you could claim compensation.
How Are MIB Claim Amounts Calculated?
Usually, when compensation is claimed after a car accident that causes injury, it’s claimed from the at-fault party’s insurance provider. However, if you cannot trace the driver or if they do not have the required insurance in place, then this may not be possible.
Read on to find out more about the role that the Motor Insurers’ Bureau plays in claims. Alternatively, you could get in touch with Advice.co.uk for free legal advice about your potential case. You can contact us by:
- Calling us at 0161 696 9685
- Contacting us via the live chat feature below
- Filling in our online contact form with your query
Select A Section
- What Is The MIB?
- How Do MIB Claims Work?
- Examples Of MIB Claim Amounts
- What Are These Figures Based On?
- How To Get MIB Claim Amounts For Your Injuries
- Start Your MIB Claim Today
What Is The MIB?
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau is a non-profit company that can handle claims for certain road traffic accidents. The kinds of claims they can handle include:
- When the driver of the other vehicle flees the scene without exchanging insurance information
- When the other driver is uninsured
- When the other vehicle is registered with a foreign insurance company
If you’ve been injured because of a breach of duty of care on the road, then this is an example of negligence. Road users should act in a way that reduces the risk of themselves and others from being injured. They should adhere to the rules in the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code. Some of the guidance in the Highway Code is backed up elsewhere by law.
The MIB may be able to provide a route for those trying to make personal injury claims or property damage claims when claiming against the at-fault insurer is not possible. Read on to learn more about how much you could claim through the MIB. Our advisors can also offer guidance on MIB claim amounts.
How Do MIB Claims Work
You may be able to claim personal injury compensation through the MIB if you were injured in a hit-and-run accident or if the other driver is uninsured. As with all personal injury claims, you must be able to show that the following criteria apply to your circumstances:
- That someone owed you duty of care.
- The duty of care that you were owed was breached.
- An accident occurred because of this breach in which you were injured.
In addition to the above, you should also check if the other party is insured. If you can show the other party is uninsured or cannot be traced, the MIB may be able to help.
Should you make a personal injury claim through the MIB, you have three years to begin proceedings. This time limit begins from a specific date and is either:
- The date of the accident
- The date of knowledge. This is when you knew (or would have been expected to know) that your injuries came about as a result of negligence.
There are some exceptions to these time limits; if you get in touch with our team of advisors today, they will be able to confirm if any apply. Furthermore, they can offer guidance on the road accident claims process and answer any questions you might have.
Examples Of MIB Claim Amounts
As with other personal injury claims, the amount of compensation you could receive from an MIB claim depends in part upon the severity of your injuries and the extent of your suffering. Instead of including a personal injury calculator, we’ve provided some examples of personal injury compensation brackets using figures from the Judicial College Guidelines.
| Injury Type | Compensation Bracket | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Very Severe Head Injury (a) | £282,010 to £403,990 | Little if any response to surroundings and need for full-time care |
| Moderately Severe Head Injury (b) | £219,070 to £282,010 | Serious disability and marked dependence upon others |
| Loss of Both Arms (a) | £240,790 to £300,000 | A person with full awareness is reduced to a state of considerable dependency |
| Other Arm Injuries (d) | £6,610 to £19,200 | Fractures of the forearm that are uncomplicated |
| Loss of Both Legs (i) | £240,790 to £282,010 | Loss of both legs above the knee, or one leg above the knee at a high level and the other below the knee |
| Below-Knee Amputation of Both Legs (ii) | £201,490 to £270,100 | Awards depend on amount of limb amputated and severity of phantom pains |
| Severe Psychiatric Damage (a) | £54,830 to £115,730 | Marked problems with a wide range of factors, such as relationships with others and ability to cope with education and employment. Poor prognosis. |
| Severely Disabling Injury to Elbow (a) | £39,170 to £54,830 | Permanent and severe disability |
| Less Severe Injuries to Elbow (b) | £15,650 to £32,010 | Loss of function but not requiring major surgery |
| Modest Foot Injuries (g) | Up to £13,740 | Injuries involving fractures, torn ligaments, or punctures that may or may not lead to ongoing effects such as a permanent limp |
The amounts in the table above relate to a head of claim called general damages. These are always paid out in successful claims and are intended to reimburse you for the suffering your injury has caused.
You could also be awarded a second head of claim, called special damages. These are meant to return you to the financial position you were in before your injury occurred. For example, special damages can reimburse you for:
- Loss of earnings
- Lost future earnings
- Care expenses
- Travel expenses incurred due to your injury, such as needing to take a taxi to attend hospital appointments
If you’d like to know more about what compensation you could be entitled to and how MIB claim amounts are awarded, get in touch with our advisers today. They can offer free legal advice based on your exact circumstances.
What Are These Figures Based On?
When valuing general damages, solicitors can turn to the Judicial College Guidelines for help, as we have already mentioned. This document contains guideline compensation brackets for different physical and psychological injuries; it can be used to help value MIB claim amounts.
It may be necessary for you to attend a medical assessment so that the full extent of your injuries can be ascertained. For example, a medical assessment might be able to show that your damaged nerve was consistent with the accident you were involved in rather than being caused by a pre-existing condition.
In a similar vein, you must have financial evidence in order to claim special damages. It is a good idea to keep any receipts or bank statements that show paid expenses you would not have had to make had your injury not occurred.
To learn more about how MIB claim amounts can be valued based on medical and financial evidence, call us today using the provided information.
How To Get MIB Claim Amounts For Your Injuries
There are a few steps you could take to help with claiming compensation for your injuries. Firstly, it’s important to begin the claim process before the time limit to do so has expired.
Another step you can take is to gather evidence that will support your personal injury claim. For example, you can:
- Take photos or retrieve CCTV footage that shows the extent of vehicle damage or how the accident occurred
- In the event the other driver flees the scene, you may need to report the incident to the police. The report you receive can be used as evidence in your claim.
- Get medical attention as soon as you are able. As discussed in previous section, evidence regarding the extent of your injuries may affect how much compensation you receive.
- Take the contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident. Statements can be taken from them to support your claim.
For more information about the steps you can take following a road traffic accident with an uninsured or untraced driver, contact our advisers for free legal advice. They will listen to your personal circumstances and give you the information on MIB claim amounts you need to begin a claim.
How Common Are Hit And Run Accidents?
Data from 2009-2015 shows a 60% increase in hit-and-run accidents in London in this period. We have included the graph below to illustrate this.
Of all of these accidents over the 6-year perod, 82 involved someone being fatally injured, 2,161 involved a serious injury, and 25,609 involved someone being slightly injured. Our team can tell you more about your rights after a car accident. Get in touch with our advisers today to learn what you can do after a road traffic accident and how MIB claim amounts are valued.
Start Your MIB Claim Today
You may wish to hire legal representation to assist with your MIB claim. If you’re worried about the cost of doing so, you may benefit from a No Win No Fee Agreement.
There is more than one type of this agreement, but our panel of solicitors may offer their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means that you do not generally have to pay for their services upfront or during the claims process, Furthermore, there’s usually nothing to pay for the work that they have done if your claim fails.
Instead, you will only pay a small percentage of your compensation if your claim succeeds. The portion that they can take is capped by law.
To speak to someone about your potential claim and learn more about MIB claim amounts, call us today. You can contact us by:
- Calling us at 0161 696 9685
- Contacting us via the live chat feature below
- Filling in our online contact form with your query
Related Road Traffic Accident Claims
More guides about claiming compensation after a traffic accident:
Faulty Traffic Lights – A guide to claiming compensation after an accident caused by faulty traffic lights
How Long After An Accident Can You Claim? – Information about the time limits involved while claiming after a road traffic accident
Proving Your Car Accident Injuries – Some information on how to get proof of your injuries following a car accident
- Car Accident Claim Solicitors – How To Claim
- How To Make A Taxi Passenger Accident Claim
- Fatal Car Accident Claims
- How To Claim For A Hit And Run Car Accident
- How Long Do Car Accident Personal Injury Claims Take?
- How To Claim For A Back Injury In A Car Accident
Information you may find useful:
Whiplash – NHS information about whiplash
MIB Guide to Claiming – A guide from the MIB about making a claim
Report a Road Traffic Accident – Information about how and when to report a road traffic accident
We hope this article about MIB claim amounts has been useful. If you need any more information, call us today.
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