Stolen Car And Vehicle Accident Claims Explained

By Joanne Jeffries. Last Updated 14th October 2021. Stolen car accident claims can arise if you’ve been injured through no fault of your own in a crash on the roads.

If you have been involved in an accident with a vehicle that was stolen, then you may be unsure whether or not you can make a stolen vehicle accident claim for personal injury compensation. While cases seeking compensation for a road traffic accident involving a stolen vehicle can be complex, they can still result in financial remuneration for injured parties who were not at fault.

Stolen car accident claims

How do you make stolen car accident claims?

Road traffic accidents involving uninsured or stolen vehicles are unfortunately not uncommon, and with no insurance company to deal with, you may be uncertain where you can go to get the justice you deserve if you’re not able to make insurance claims. Stolen car accident claims are complex, but with the aid of a legal expert, you can still get access to the financial compensation you deserve even if you can’t claim against the owner of the vehicle for loss of personal items, or personal property or injuries you’ve sustained.

You should always enter into any personal injury claim armed with as much information as possible, and that’s what this guide aims to provide. Read on to find out all you need to know about making a stolen vehicle accident claim alongside a personal injury solicitor. In the sections below we discuss whether insurance coverage covers theft and whether you can claim on auto insurance for an auto accident involving theft. Once you have all the details you need, call the team at Accident Claims UK on 0800 073 8801, and we will put you in touch with an expert stolen vehicle injury lawyer who can help you to begin the process of making an accident compensation claim if you have been hit by a stolen car and injured as a result.

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A guide to stolen car accident claims

In most road traffic accidents involving uninsured or stolen vehicles, the driver who caused the crash is never traced. This means that they are never held to account for the damage they have caused, and any injuries innocent parties may have sustained. This is the biggest reason why many compensation claims for road accidents involving stolen vehicles go unfiled as the victims wrongly assume that they won’t get any justice for their injuries. But stolen car accident claims can be made, and you can receive the compensation you deserve.

This guide will explain what to do if you are hit by an uninsured or untraced driver and how you can go about claiming compensation for any injuries, physical or psychological, that you sustained as a result. You can submit a claim for compensation to the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) if you have been hit by a stolen car and the driver has evaded capture. This guide will go on to explain the process of filing a stolen vehicle accident claim with the MIB and what they will do to help you seek justice.

A stolen vehicle accident solicitor will be able to help you file your claim and give you specific advice on your case, but this guide will provide you with a thorough overview of the process and what your next steps should be when making a stolen vehicle accident claim.

What are stolen vehicle accident and injury claims?

Vehicle theft is on the rise, and this has also led to an increase in road traffic accidents involving uninsured or stolen vehicles. When these vehicles are driven at speed, accidents can easily occur and it is unsuspecting, law-abiding drivers who often bear the brunt of the damage. When you are involved in a car accident, you usually claim any damages and compensation from the driver and their insurance company. However, when in the case of stolen vehicles, the driver often leaves the scene and goes untraced.

In cases such as this, you can still claim compensation for an accident involving a stolen vehicle even though there is not an opposing insurance company to claim from. But what else could you learn about stolen car accident claims? This guide aims to explain what to do if you are hit by an uninsured or untraced driver so that you can still gain access to the compensation you are entitled to. If you have been hit by a stolen car or a stolen car hit my parked car, then with the help of a legal expert, you can still file a claim for compensation.

Hit and run by stolen car cases are unfortunately not uncommon and if you are wondering “if my car is stolen and in an accident am I liable in the UK? ” then this guide will help explain the answers. You would not be liable for any compensation claims if you were not the driver, the claim would be filed against the Motors Insurers’ Bureau just as it would if you were filing any other compensation claims for road accidents involving stolen vehicles.

This guide will help explain a range of examples of stolen vehicle accident claims and the legal team at Accident Claims UK will be able to go through your stolen vehicle accident claim with you.

Stolen vehicle accident and injury statistics

The Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain Annual Report showed that there were 153,158 reported casualties from road collisions in 2019. Of that number, 1,752 were fatalities, and 25,945 were serious injuries. The Department for Transport Statistics recorded that 153,158 accidents resulting in casualties of all severities occurred in 2019 alone. Provisional figures for 2020 reveal 1,580 fatal injuries, with a total of 131,220 injuries of all severities. These numbers are likely lower due to the lockdowns relating to the pandemic. you can see the difference below:

stolen-vehicle-accident-claim-statistics-graph

The Crime Survey for England and Wales revealed that between April 2019 and March 2020, approximately 80,000 vehicles were stolen, with around 173,000 attempts to steal a vehicle or steal from a vehicle were made. With numbers like that, it is no wonder that

If you have been one of the many people who have been caught up in a road traffic accident involving uninsured or stolen vehicles, then there are provisions in place to help you to make a stolen vehicle accident claim for the compensation you deserve. Read on to find out more about stolen car accident claims.

What is the Motors Insurance Bureau and how can it help me make stolen car accident claims?

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) was established in 1946 and is funded by insurance providers in the UK. All companies who provide vehicle insurance must be members of the MIB and contribute financially to it which ensures that the non-profit organisation has enough funds to cover any claims for compensation for accidents involving a stolen vehicle, which are filed against in when a driver goes untraced following an accident.

The Motors Insurance Bureau was formed to come to the aid of those who had suffered road traffic accidents involving uninsured or stolen vehicles so that they did not miss out on the financial compensation they may have been entitled to, had the driver been traced or insured. The MIB also provides the details of the insurance cover of any vehicle.

If you have been hit by a stolen car and the driver has not been able to be traced then you can make a Motors Insurers Bureau compensation claim, and the MIB will act as liable for your injuries, and if your claim is successful, then they will pay out any compensation that you are awarded. A specialised stolen vehicle injury lawyer can help you to file a claim for compensation with the MIB.

Stolen vehicle accidents and injuries at work

If your work requires you to drive a vehicle or undertake tasks related to your job role in which you must drive a car, van or another mode of transport, and you are hit by a stolen car, then you may be entitled to compensation. For example, if you are driving to a job off-site, then you are placed behind the wheel due to your job, and you should be able to claim compensation for an accident involving a stolen vehicle.

Compensation claims for road accidents involving stolen vehicles whilst you are at work can usually be filed against the MIB through your company insurance and any compensation awarded will vary in amount depending on the injury you have sustained and the impact that has had on your life. If you have had to pay for any medical treatment or equipment following your accident or if you have lost earnings through needing to take time off work, then you can include these damages in your stolen vehicle accident claim. If you’d like to find out more about stolen car accident claims, give us a call today.

Stolen vehicle accidents in a public place or on a public road

Being involved in any kind of car accident is a seriously traumatic event but finding out that the car that caused the incident was stolen can leave you feeling confused and victimised. Road traffic collisions involving uninsured or stolen vehicles are much more complex and take a lot of time to be investigated, and so they can drag on meaning you are constantly reminded of the event. If the police have managed to identify the vehicle and the driver if you’ve been hit by a stolen car, then the insurance company which covers the vehicle may decide to accept liability for any compensation claim you decide to file. This is completely at the discretion of the insurer, however, and they may flat out refuse to payout.

If the insurance company covering the car refuse to payout, or the police do not manage to identify the vehicle or driver after a hit and run stolen car accident, then the Motors Insurers Bureau should cover compensation claims for road accidents involving stolen vehicles. Accident Claims UK will put you in touch with a dedicated stolen vehicle accident solicitor who will help you to file your claim with the right authority.

In order to ensure that you have the strongest case possible, you should gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim. Try and gather statements from witnesses of the accident and take their contact details in case you need to contact them again. If you can, try and take photos of the accident site, or ask someone else to do it for you. You may also want to get a full medical report of any injuries you have sustained. If you believe the car that caused your road traffic accident was stolen, then you should report it to the police as soon as possible. It is a criminal offence to leave the scene of an accident too so if the driver of the car flees, you will also need to report this to the police. All of this is critical ahead of any stolen vehicle accident claim.

How severe can vehicle and road traffic accidents be?

Road traffic accidents can vary wildly in severity from bumps from behind to catastrophic accidents that write-off a vehicle and cause severe and life-changing injuries or even a fatal injury that leads to death. Assessing how severe road traffic accidents involving uninsured or stolen vehicles are is a complex process and depends on several variables.

The amount of compensation for an accident involving a stolen vehicle that may be awarded will vary depending on the severity of the case. This will be assessed based on how severe the injury that you sustained is and how much damage you have had inflicted on you. Stolen car accident claims will also take into account;

  • Severity of injury
  • Levels of pain suffered
  • Medical costs such as private treatment and medical equipment
  • General damages such as the cost of repairing or replacing your car
  • Special damages such as loss of earnings
  • Psychological pain and trauma as a result of the accident

In order to accurately assess the severity of your claim, it is a good idea to get a full medical report of your injuries. You may have visited A&E immediately following the incident, but this won’t always give a thorough account of all injuries sustained and their implications. Accident Claims UK’s provided solicitor can help to arrange a full medical examination so that your dedicated stolen vehicle injury lawyer can show the full extent to which you have suffered.

It is important to recognise that some effects of road traffic accidents involving uninsured or stolen vehicles are not always obvious immediately but can affect your life in the long run. Long-term injuries or effects can have the ability to impact your life and have a severely detrimental effect. Some long-term effects may cause disability and prevent you from living the life you had before the incident. Such effects include;

  • Brain damage
  • Loss of limbs
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Burns
  • Herniated/slipped disks
  • Torn rotator cuffs
  • Head trauma
  • Development of psychological injuries

All of these have the potential to cause long-term suffering, pain and disability and therefore will make your stolen vehicle accident claim for compensation for an accident involving a stolen vehicle more complex but also worth more money. For example, burns can cause long-term pain and damage to nerve endings but also may require further surgery to correct and cover.

Psychological injuries may not be as obvious as physical injuries, but they can be just as debilitating. Being hit by a stolen car is traumatic and so can result in emotional trauma which can result in symptoms such as;

  • Disturbed sleep
  • Mood swings
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Feelings of depression
  • Development of anxiety or phobias

Not only are these symptoms difficult to live with, but their effects can be far-reaching as they may affect other aspects of your life, such as your ability to work. This will increase the severity of your claim for compensation for an accident involving a stolen vehicle.

What to do if you have suffered an injury caused by a stolen vehicle

If you are involved in a car accident, it is important not to panic and to try and remember to follow these steps so that if you decide to pursue a claim for compensation for an accident involving a stolen vehicle, you will have enough evidence to show that you have sustained injuries as the result of an accident that was not your fault. The evidence to support stolen car accident claims includes the following:

  • Stop the car- it is a criminal offence to leave the scene of an accident so even if it’s a minor collision, or the other driver doesn’t stop, you should still stop and report the accident
  • Contact the emergency services- if you or any passengers require immediate attention then call for an ambulance. You should also contact the police to report the incident, especially if the other driver has not stopped, as you will need a police reference number if you’re considering filing a personal injury claim after being hit by a stolen car
  • Take photos- collect photographic evidence of the accident site as you may rely on it to strengthen your case. You should also collect statements and contact details from any witnesses to the collision
  • Get your injuries treated- whether at A&E or at a later date with a medical practitioner, you should get your injuries treated and get a medical report to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident
  • Inform your insurer. As per your insurance policy, you will have a set amount of time to report an accident to your insurance company to ensure that you do not invalidate your policy
  • Keep records and receipts of any treatments, appointments and expenses relating to the accident as support for your compensation claim

Is there a time limit in which to make stolen car accident claims?

Any personal injury claim needs to be made within a three-year time limit starting from the date of the accident, and this is the same for compensation claims for road accidents involving stolen vehicles. If a child has been injured as the result of road traffic accidents involving uninsured or stolen vehicles, then the three-year time period in which to make a stolen vehicle accident claim only begins once the child turns 18.

Stolen vehicle accident and injury compensation calculator

How much compensation for an accident involving a stolen vehicle you may receive very much depends on the individual circumstance of your claim. Your case will be considered based on the severity of your injury and your suffering as well as any other expenses incurred, such as medical costs and repair bills.

The below table is not a definite guarantee of the amount of compensation you may receive, but it serves to show how much compensation amounts after being hit by a stolen car can vary.

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Injury Severity Potential compensation Notes
Toe injury Minor – severe Up to £52,620 Soft tissue damage/amputation
Foot injury Minor – severe Up to £189,110 Soft tissue damage/ amputation
Achilles tendon injury Minor – severe Up to £36,060 Long-term pain/ restriction of movement
Ankle injury Minor- severe Up to £65,420 Soft tissue damage/ broken ankle
Knee injury Minor- severe Up to £90,290 Soft tissue damage/ ligament damage/ long term pain/ loss of movement
Leg injury Minor- severe Up to £264,650 Soft tissue damage/ broken bones/ amputation
Arm injury Minor- severe Up to £281,520 Soft tissue damage/ broken bones/ amputation
Shoulder injury Minor – severe Up to £45,070 Soft tissue damage/ restriction of movement
Neck injury Minor – severe Up to £139,210 Loss of movement/ long term pain
Back injury Minor – severe Up to £151,070 Long term pain/ spinal cord damage

The compensation examples in the above table serve as a rough guide. If you want a more accurate estimate of how much compensation you may be entitled to, Accident Claims UK can put you in touch with a dedicated stolen vehicle injury lawyer who can go through your stolen car accident claims in detail.

How to start your stolen vehicle injury claim

While compensation claims for road accidents involving stolen vehicles may be complex in nature, starting your claim isn’t difficult. Accident Claims UK can put you in touch with a specialist stolen vehicle accident solicitor who will file your stolen vehicle accident claim for you and deal with all the complicated processes on your behalf.

Your solicitor will need all the details of your accident where you were hit by a stolen car so you will need to gather your evidence such as photos of the accident, witness statements and medical reports together. The team at Accident Claims UK can arrange for a solicitor who will arrange a full medical examination if you are yet to have one. Once you have given this information to your stolen vehicle injury lawyer, then they will fight for compensation on your behalf. Even if the driver has not been traced, your solicitor will file a Motor Insurers Bureau compensation claim in an attempt to win you the compensation you are entitled to.

Why use us to find the right solicitor For Your Stolen Vehicle Accident Claim

Accident Claims UK has one of the biggest networks of reliable solicitors, many of whom specialise in helping clients claim compensation for an accident involving a stolen vehicle and who are well versed in the intricacies claiming compensation when the driver remains untraced.

Our solicitors work on no win no fee basis so that you are under no financial constraints at all. No win no fee accident involving stolen car accident claims remove any financial risk for the claimant, as if your claim is unsuccessful you won’t have to pay our solicitors a penny. If your claim is successful, then your solicitor’s fees are recuperated from the side which has been found liable for your injury.

Start your Stolen Vehicle Accident Claim Today

If you have been injured in an accident where you were hit by a stolen car, then there is no time to delay in filing for compensation for an accident involving a stolen vehicle. Please contact us by calling the team at Accident Claims UK today on 0800 073 8801 to get your claim started, or you can email our team at office@accidentclaims.co.uk or fill out our contact form online with the details of your accident, and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss your stolen vehicle accident claim.

Stolen car accident claims FAQs

How long will a claim to the Motor Insurance Bureau take? 

The MIB will endeavour to make a decision within 3 months as to whether a compensation payment will be due to you. However, if they decide that you are due compensation then a decision will need to be made as to the amount due to you. This can take longer than 3 months.

If there’s a dispute over liability or if there’s a serious injury involved, then a police report will be required for your claim to be processed. This can take some time, as a police report can’t be released until criminal prosecutions have concluded.

Can I claim for damage to my home or property that was caused by an uninsured driver? 

Sometimes, a person driving a stolen car might cause damage to property other than your vehicle, like if they crash into your home or garden wall. You are able to make a claim through the MIB for this. But if you have home insurance or another kind of insurance that covers the damaged property, it’s recommended that you claim through this.

This is because it will often be dealt with quicker when going through your own insurance provider. The MIB will need to establish the circumstances of the accident, and their enquiries may take longer than a payout from your insurer.

Can you claim insurance if your car is stolen?

Yes, you can claim insurance, but it’s worth waiting to hear from your insurers in the aftermath of the robbery.

What happens if a stolen car hits you?

You should immediately inform the police and also your insurers about the robbery.

Is car theft a fault claim?

This is usually the case, but not always.

Can you sue the person that stole your car?

Yes, you could sue the thief for stealing your car, either via a criminal case or in a civil court.

Do I lose my no claims bonus if the accident wasn’t my fault?

The victim will usually lose some, and possibly even all, of their no-claims bonus in this situation.

What should you not say to your insurance company after an accident?

You shouldn’t admit fault, avoid mentioning injuries, provide an official statement and accept a settlement without legal advice.

Could the MIB refuse a stolen vehicle accident claim?

There are some reasons why the MIB could refuse an accident claim relating to a stolen vehicle. For example, they may do so if they believe your claim to be fraudulent, or if you take too long to claim. We would strongly urge you to seek legal advice when it comes to stolen vehicle compensation claims so that you can file your claim in enough time and with strong evidence that backs up your claim.

What medical evidence would I need for stolen car accident claims?

To make an injury claim of any type, you would need to be able to evidence your injuries. However, attending A&E or a walk-in clinic for treatment and advice would not be enough. You would need to visit an independent medical expert during your claim so that you could be examined. You would then receive a medical report that evidenced your injuries and could be used to work out an appropriate level of compensation for you.

How long do MIB stolen car accident claims take?

While the MIB attempt to deal with claims quickly, some things could delay your claim. For example, if they have to wait for criminal prosecution to complete before receiving the police report pertaining to the accident, this could delay your claim. Some complex cases might also take further investigation, which could delay your claim too.

Can a solicitor help with MIB stolen car accident claims?

An experienced solicitor could be useful when making claims through the MIB. They would know what evidence to include with your claim and they could help you fight for the maximum compensation possible for your case.

Do I have to have a lawyer to make a stolen vehicle accident claim?

There is no legal requirement that dictates that you have to have legal representation when making a claim for compensation. However, we do find that many claimants prefer to use the services of a professional solicitor. Their reasons for doing so could vary but could include wanting someone to take on the legal legwork. They could also prefer to have somebody professional negotiating the compensation on their behalf. With the option to choose a lawyer that works on a no win no fee basis, this can be quite an attractive proposition for somebody who would like professional help with their claim but does not want to have to pay legal fees upfront.

Should I choose a local solicitor to make a stolen vehicle accident claim?

While once it might have been a better choice to work with a solicitor based locally, with the technological advances that have come into play over the past decade, it is more and more common to see solicitors handle claims for claimants in a different area. Much of the claims process can be undertaken by the way of email, video call, fax and mail. This means you have a much wider pot of law firms and solicitors to choose from when making your claim. We would advise you to opt for a solicitor that is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, as well as checking whether they work on a no win no fee basis. If you would like to learn more about the solicitors that we could provide you, including their success rate and what claims they’ve handled before, we would be delighted to help you. We want you to have peace of mind that your claim is in good hands.

Could I make stolen car accident claims against someone I know?

No matter whether it was a friend or family member who injured you in a stolen car, you could make a claim for compensation. Whoever stole the car could be considered a criminal, and you could make a claim through the CICA if this is your only route to compensation. If the person that stole a car and injured you had the means to pay you compensation, however, you could make a claim against them. Such claims could be complex and you may be looking for legal advice on such situations. If you are, then we would be only too happy to provide you with the guidance and support you are looking for. We could provide you with solicitors who could help you get the compensation you deserve.

Could I make stolen car accident claims for a child?

If your child was injured by a stolen car, you may be understandably feeling furious. Thankfully, even though in the eyes of the law, a child could not make their own claim for compensation, you do have options. One of those options would be to claim for your child as a litigation friend. This means you’d be able to decide on a certain aspect of the claim and help them get a settlement. We could help you with this. Alternatively, if no one claimed for your child, they could claim once they have turned 18 years old. We’d be happy to offer you guidance on this.

Useful Links Relating To Stolen Car Accident Claims

Car Accident Claims Free Legal Advice – find out about the success fee for No WIn No Fee claims, and how to claim if you’re in a vehicle involved in a car crash.

Compensation claims as a passenger – if you were hit by an uninsured driver in a passenger accident, you can find out about how to claim here.

How much compensation could I get for whiplash?  – whether you suffer whiplash in an accident at work or in car crash, this guide could be useful.

Motor Insurance Bureau – find out about the untraced drivers’ agreement and how the MIB works here.

Compensation after an accident – a government guide

Thank you for reading our guide on stolen car accident claims. We hope it’s been helpful to you in pursuing your stolen vehicle accident claim.