You can still claim if the driver who hit you drove off and can't be traced. The claim goes through the Motor Insurers' Bureau, and we handle it for you with no upfront fees.
A hit and run claim is a claim for compensation when the driver who caused your injury leaves the scene and can't be traced. You can claim whether you were a driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian.
The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) compensates people injured by untraced drivers in Northern Ireland. It does this under an agreement with the Department for Infrastructure, renewed in December 2023.
The MIB looks at the evidence, assesses your injury and pays compensation if the claim meets the conditions of the agreement.
If anyone was injured, the crash must be reported to the PSNI as soon as you reasonably can. A police report is also one of the conditions for an MIB claim.
Keep the police reference number, and write down anything you remember about the vehicle: its colour, make or part of the registration.
Most injury claims must be started within three years of the accident, under the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. MIB claims have conditions and deadlines of their own, so it's best to get advice early.
Depending on the severity of the collision, you may suffer:
Always seek medical advice after an accident, even if symptoms seem minor at first.
You pay nothing to start your claim and nothing while it runs.
We only handle personal injury and clinical negligence claims, from first advice through to court if it comes to that.
If your claim succeeds, the other side pays your legal costs and you keep 100% of your compensation.
Our legal insurance covers the costs if your claim doesn't succeed.
We'll look at what happened and tell you honestly whether you have a claim. There's no pressure to go ahead.
Road traffic claims are run by Paul Kearney, a solicitor advocate and former barrister, with trainee solicitor John Deeney.
We help clients across Northern Ireland, in person or by phone, email or video.
It's when a driver causes an accident and leaves the scene without providing their name or insurance details.
Yes. Even if the driver is never identified, you can claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau. We'll help handle this process.
It's an organisation that pays compensation to victims of accidents caused by uninsured or untraced drivers in the UK.
Yes. The MIB needs the accident to have been reported to the police, so report it as soon as you can.
You can still make a claim if a car hit you and fled. We'll guide you through what to do next.
You usually have 3 years from the date of the accident. For children, the deadline starts from their 18th birthday.
You don't have to use one, but MIB claims have strict conditions. We put the application together and gather the evidence for you.
Yes, if the claim doesn't meet the MIB's conditions, for example if the accident wasn't reported to the police. We'll tell you honestly how your claim looks before you go ahead.
A police report, details of the accident and your injuries, and medical evidence. We put the application together for you.
Yes. Photos, witness statements and medical reports all help, and we'll help you gather what you need.
It depends on your injuries and losses. Once we review your case, we'll give a clear estimate.
No. There are no upfront fees. If your claim succeeds, the other side pays your legal costs. If it doesn't, our legal insurance covers the costs.
Our legal insurance covers the costs, so you're not left paying them.
You may still be able to claim. We'll review your case and give clear advice.
Most cases are settled before court. If court is needed, we'll represent you.
Yes. If the accident caused you to miss work, you can include that in your claim.
Yes. Passengers can make a claim even if the driver who caused the accident ran away.
Every claim is different. On average, claims are resolved within 4 to 6 months, depending on how complex the case is and the evidence involved. We keep you updated throughout.
Yes. If your claim succeeds, the other side pays your legal costs and you keep 100% of your compensation.
We only handle personal injury and clinical negligence claims. There are no upfront fees, our legal insurance covers the costs if your claim doesn't succeed, and if it succeeds you keep 100% of your compensation.
Kearney Law Group Ltd is a solicitors' practice regulated by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Registered in Northern Ireland, company number NI663222. Registered office: Bishop Street Chambers, 26–28 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PR.
Kearney Law Group only handles personal injury and clinical negligence claims.
We act for clients across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Derry, Lisburn, Newry, Craigavon and Bangor. See all the areas we cover.
Contact us to arrange your free first conversation.
Belfast: Scottish Provident Building, 7 Donegall Square West, Belfast BT1 6JH
02890 912 938
Derry: Bishop Street Chambers, 26–28 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PR
02871 362 299
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
