Case Study: £1.1m MIB Settlement for Hit-and-Run Pedestrian

Sam Collard

Overview

Osbornes Law recently secured a £1.1 million settlement for Ramona Cerbu, a pedestrian in her 40s who was left for dead in the middle of a North London road after a hit-and-run collision. The driver was never identified, so the claim was brought through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).

Left for dead in a North London road

In 2019, Ramona was crossing a road in North London when she was struck by a car. She was discovered lying in the middle of the road with life-threatening injuries and no evidence as to who had hit her. The driver fled the scene and was never traced.

Catastrophic injuries from a single collision

Ramona underwent a number of surgeries for multiple injuries to her knee, ribs, stomach and pelvis. The damage has left her with permanent mobility difficulties and incontinence, and she remains bed bound for much of the day. She has been unable to return to work.

Before the accident, Ramona had worked and helped care for her sister’s children after arriving in the UK from Romania in 2018. Her injuries made even basic daily tasks impossible, and the financial hardship that followed left her dependent on others for food, heating and personal care needs.

Pursuing a claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau

Where a driver is untraced or uninsured, an injured pedestrian can still claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau under the Untraced Drivers’ Agreement. Osbornes submitted Ramona’s claim, secured early-stage rehabilitation funding, and gathered the substantial medical evidence needed to value the lifetime impact of her injuries.

Claims under the Untraced Drivers’ Agreement involve different procedural rules from standard road traffic cases. Osbornes worked with multiple medical experts to evidence the long-term impact on Ramona’s mobility, her ability to work, and her need for ongoing care.

Benefits appeal alongside the personal injury claim

While Ramona’s compensation claim continued, the Osbornes housing and social care team also assisted her with a separate appeal against the Department for Work and Pensions, which had refused her Universal Credit application. That appeal was successful and she was awarded over £34,000 in backdated benefits. You can read about the benefits appeal in our separate case study.

Settlement outcome

The MIB claim settled in late 2025 for just over £1.1 million gross. The settlement provides for ongoing care, rehabilitation, accommodation needs, lost earnings and the equipment Ramona requires to live with her injuries.

The figure reflects both general damages for her pain, suffering and loss of amenity, and substantial special damages covering past and future financial losses, the cost of professional care and assistance, and the equipment she will need for the rest of her life.

Press coverage

Ramona’s story has been reported by The Daily Mirror.

Need advice after a hit-and-run accident?

Osbornes’ personal injury team are based in North London and have specialist experience pursuing hit-and-run claims through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau where the responsible driver is untraced or uninsured. We also handle pedestrian accident claims against identified drivers.

To speak to our team for a confidential discussion about your case.

• Fill in our online enquiry form; or
• Call us on 020 7485 8811.