Hit And Run Claims
Hit and Run Accident Claims Lawyer
Hit and run accidents are far too common and very distressing for the victim and their family, especially if serious injuries have been sustained. It is still possible to seek some justice and bring a claim for damages. Our specialist lawyers can advice you of the process and act in your behalf.
“They punch well above their weight. The quality of service they provide equals that of any of the larger top-name firms in this area.”
“A niche firm that punches well above its weight in the catastrophic injury sector, borne out by the quality of work they obtain.”
Hit and run accident claims
Hit and run accidents, where the offending driver leaves the scene of an accident, are all too common. It is a criminal offence, as well as a callous act, not to exchanging details with the other party or report the accident to the police. The accident victim may be left injured in the road without any call to the emergency services and no help at hand.
What to do if you have been involved in a Hit and Run accident:
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Report the accident to the police immediately by phone and wait for the police to attend the scene. If that is not possible then report in person to your local police station as soon as you can and get a crime reference number.
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Write down a description of the offending vehicle and any detail at all of the driver as well as the accident circumstances
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Speak to any eye witnesses and make a note of their name and address
Starting your claim
On contacting us you will speak in confidence to a member of our road accident claims team who will ask you specific details about your injury including where and when it took place. It is helpful to the claims process if you can provide us with as much information as possible, including any relevant pictures of the injury, pictures of where the injury took place, details of any witnesses and reports of any medical treatment you had as a result of the injury.
We will then be able to advise you on whether or not you can make a claim for compensation.
"They punch well above their weight. The quality of service they provide equals that of any of the larger top-name firms in this area"
The group is noted for its expertise in matters relating to cycling injuries, and is the official legal partner of the London Cycling Campaign charity.
"A small but high-powered team, dealing with cases of significant value and complexity."
"An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."
"Osbornes Law have captured the magic of keeping the customer service levels of a smaller firm whilst having all the expertise and power of the biggest firms."
"A superb boutique catastrophic injury firm."
"Really good at dealing with people who have suffered a serious injury."
"Affable and charming with very good client-handling skills."
"superb firm with consummate professionals and a human touch."
Osbornes now has a team of highly experienced personal injury lawyers; particularly strong on high-value quantum cases, workplace accidents and claims involving foreign workers injured in the UK.
The team provides fantastic strength-in-depth for personal injury claims. It is also particularly well placed to service clients from Eastern Europe with specialist native language speakers. From the smallest case to a multimillion-pound spinal injury case, Osbornes has the right staff to manage every claim.
Ben Posford remains pre-eminent in his field with expert understanding of litigating cases of the upmost severity. His experience builds on Stuart Kightley’s running of the firm with recent partner additions of Rob Aylott making a fantastic addition.
A firm going from strength-to strength-which retains its client care whilst being able to offer a full personal injury service.
Beneath Ben Posford’s calm and reassuring presence, which clients love, lies a formidable tactical and legal brain. His experience tells and he gets it right at every stage of the process from arranging the best possible rehabilitation, to ensuring, so far as possible, a polite relationship with those acting for the defendant in order to ensure best and early resolution of the claim.
"Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team."
"They have an expanding profile in personal injury and clinical negligence and offer a superb, broad service in accidents abroad, enabled by their recruitment of bilingual legal executives who can guide non-English speakers through complex litigation."
"Solid personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims arising from fatalities and severe head and spinal injuries."
"Offers specialist expertise in cycling-related injury claims."
"Offers specialist expertise in cauda equina syndrome cases."
"An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."
"Stuart Kightley is an incredibly empathetic solicitor who is very knowledgeable about traumatic brain injury."
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"Osbornes has a growing influence and impressive work load and is gaining a reputation for handling complex catastrophic work."
"Osbornes often handles claims valued at over £1m, particularly relating to severe brain and spinal cord injuries and niche areas such as cauda equina syndrome and cycling accidents."
"The hard-working, thorough and committed Robert Aylott, who brings significant heavyweight personal injury experience."
"Key team members include the energetic and personable Stuart Kightley who is head of the personal injury department."
"Catastrophic injury cases head Ben Posford is an excellent practical litigator who offers exceptional service."
Thank you for the hard work and patience and for being so patient with my constant questions.
"I have found Osbornes to be thorough, clear and understanding from the initial call. They do exactly what they say they will and with passion! I would recommend them to anyone".
Very good efficient service. Would not hesitate to use again.
I will use Osbornes for any future needs.
I don't think I could have asked for anything more. One of the best dealings I've had with the legal profession.
Sam was excellent and very professional in dealing with our claim.
Head of the personal injury department, Stuart Kightley is a first-rate practitioner, wholly focused on getting his client the best outcome in a pragmatic, sensible and consensual manner.
As a real specialist in spinal cord injuries, Ben Posford is always looking at new angles on how to maximise his cases.
Ben Posford is one of the best catastrophic injury lawyers around.
They provide exceptional service, great knowledge and understanding of the law, excellent client care and tactical nous
Stuart Kightley is praised for his expertise in catastrophic and fatal claims. Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team.
My claim was dealt with efficiently and professionally. Communication was excellent, and timely. Shrewd and sound advice was provided at every stage of the claim from beginning through to completion. On the basis of my personal experience I would strongly recommend Osbornes.
I just wish to thank you for your hard work and successful outcome. I am pleased with the result and would recommend you and your firm to anyone in the future.
Ben Posford … is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘one of the best personal injury solicitors around’.
Ben Posford ‘knows how to maximise the value of the claim for his clients’.
Tracing the driver
A driver may exit the scene because they are uninsured, or have been drinking, or if the car is stolen. In these cases they may escape punishment because the vehicle cannot be traced and they will also escape liability to the injured party because neither they or any insurer can be traced.
We have access to databases that allow us to trace the registered keeper and insurer from a vehicle registration number, so it may be possible to bring a claim against the insurer in the usual way, if the injured party or a witness has taken down that number.
But even without a registration number or a traced driver, a claim can still be made for the injuries and other losses sustained by the accident victim. The claim is to the Motor Insurers Bureau, a government created organisation which is funded by all motor insurers.
There are special rules about MIB Untraced Driver cases, which make them more difficult than a normal personal injury claim.
Firstly there are important eligibility requirements, such as early reporting. The accident must have been reported to the police immediately, and if there is no evidence that a police report was made within 5 days (where property damage claimed) or within 14 days (injury claims) the claim may be rejected.
Secondly, the usual rules on evidence and procedure do not apply, so court proceedings cannot be issued in these cases – we have to work within the MIB’s self-contained scheme, which means allowing them to obtain the evidence and instruct experts. The process is started with the completion and submission of an application form. The MIB will investigate liability and will accept a claim where they are satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the accident was caused by the negligent driving of an untraced vehicle.
They will then assess the value of the claim, with the benefit of expert medical evidence and any evidence of losses we are able to provide (they will not usually pay the first £300 of any property damage claim).
And the MIB only make a limited contribution towards costs, meaning the injured person also has to pay something towards those costs. The funding arrangement depends on the type and value of the case, and this is something we will discuss with you before starting off your claim.
Despite its limitations, the MIB Untraced Driver Scheme does allow a compensation claim in cases where otherwise there would be no remedy, and our solicitors can help you bring the claim and maximise the settlement.
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A recent client we have helped
Osbornes Law acted for Mr Z, a young Polish man living in London who worked as an HGV driver for Parcelforce. He was cycling home one day in Holloway when he was knocked off his bicycle by a car. The witness evidence was patchy, but it did appear from the evidence obtained by the police that Mr Z was proceeding straight ahead along a main road at night but with his bike lights on and wearing a cycling helmet, when a vehicle turned across his path into a side turning from the other side of the road, causing a collision. The car drive off and none of the witnesses noted the registration number. We made various enquiries but were unable to trace the vehicle. The MIB were also unable to identify the driver or the vehicle and they duly accepted that Mr Z was eligible for a payment under the scheme.
The value of the claim was more complicated: Mr Z sustained a spinal injury, with a fractured vertebra in the neck. He recovered well without the need for surgery, but did not return to work as a lorry driver. Instead he found office based work for the same employer, which paid less because he lost the opportunity to do overtime and lost his shift allowance.
We produced evidence of his earnings before and after the accident and we obtained evidence from a spinal surgeon to show that he would not be fit to return to lorry driving. We were therefore able to claim the difference between his pre-accident earnings and his lower level of future earnings. The case settled after negotiations for £95,000.
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