Hit and Run Compensation Calculator UK

How to Use Our Hit and Run Compensation Calculator

Our hit and run compensation calculator helps injured road users explore a possible general damages reference after a collision where a driver left the scene. The driver may still be unidentified, may have been traced later or may remain under investigation.

Start by identifying the driver's status. Next, select whether you were a car occupant, motorcyclist, cyclist, pedestrian or another road user. Enter the accident date and location and record whether the incident has been reported to the police.

Then choose your main diagnosed injury and the most relevant severity category. The calculator displays an indicative compensation range, or a provisional statutory whiplash figure where that route appears relevant. Finally, enter any documented financial and property losses.

The results explain the selected injury reference and show losses separately. The tool does not register an MIB claim, establish that the driver was negligent or determine eligibility.

What Documents May Help?

• Accident date, location and a description of events.
• Any vehicle registration or identifying information.
• Police incident or crime reference number.
• Witness details, photographs and relevant CCTV information.
• Medical diagnosis, treatment and recovery prognosis.
• Income documents and receipts for losses.
• Repair estimates for damaged property.

What Is a Hit and Run Accident?

A hit-and-run accident involves a driver leaving the scene following a collision without properly dealing with the relevant information or reporting requirements. Depending on the facts, the injured person's route to compensation may involve the driver's insurer, an uninsured-driver claim or an untraced-driver compensation scheme.

A hit and run is not necessarily the same as an untraced-driver claim. If the driver is later identified, the appropriate claim route can change. This is why the calculator asks whether the responsible motorist has been traced.

Identified Driver Who Left the Scene

Sometimes a motorist drives away but is subsequently identified through CCTV, a registration number, witness evidence or a police investigation. If the motorist has relevant insurance, a claim may proceed through that insurer rather than the MIB untraced-driver arrangement.

Unidentified or Untraced Driver

A driver may remain unknown despite reasonable attempts to identify them. In certain circumstances, the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) can consider claims arising from accidents caused by untraced drivers. The applicable agreement contains requirements relating to the accident, evidence and claim process.

How Is Hit and Run Compensation Calculated?

There is no special fixed payout simply because the driver left the scene. Personal injury compensation is generally assessed using the nature and consequences of the injury, together with legally recoverable financial losses.

General Damages

General damages compensate for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Relevant details include diagnosis, treatment, severity, how long recovery takes and whether permanent symptoms remain. The Judicial College Guidelines provide reference brackets for many injury categories in England and Wales.

Special Damages

Special damages concern financial consequences of an injury. Examples can include lost wages, treatment, rehabilitation, care and necessary travel expenses. These amounts generally require supporting evidence and may be disputed.

Vehicle and Property Damage

Damaged vehicles, bicycles, helmets, clothing or other belongings can give rise to separate property claims. However, property damage under an untraced-driver agreement can be more restricted than injury compensation. The applicable agreement may require a significant personal injury and impose an excess or other conditions.

The calculator therefore shows property losses as a separate item. Any combined arithmetic figure should not be interpreted as a sum MIB has agreed to pay.

Hit and Run Compensation Amounts in the UK (2026)

The following examples show selected 2026 general damages guideline-summary brackets. They are injury references rather than fixed hit-and-run compensation rates.

Selected reference figures reflect summaries associated with the 18th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, published in April 2026. An appropriate award may fall elsewhere if the precise medical subcategory is different.

Can You Claim if the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Unknown?

A person injured by an unidentified driver may have a potential route through the MIB Untraced Drivers Agreement. The agreement applies only when relevant conditions are met; it is not a guarantee that a claim will succeed.

MIB may investigate whether the incident occurred as described, whether the unknown driver would have been legally responsible, and whether the relevant claimant and accident requirements have been satisfied.

Does a Late Police Report Automatically Stop the Claim?

Not necessarily. MIB publicly advises people to report hit-and-run accidents to the police within 14 days. However, the applicable untraced-driver agreement, including the 2017 agreement, needs to be considered when assessing procedural obligations and any delay in reporting.

The calculator asks about police reporting to show useful warnings, not to automatically reject an application. Road traffic reporting duties can also be separate from MIB claim rules.

What if the Driver Is Later Traced?

If the driver is identified, their insurance position becomes important. A relevant insurer may handle the claim. If the identified driver is uninsured, another MIB arrangement may apply. Driver status affects the claims process, but not a universal injury payout multiplier.

Common Injuries After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Head and Brain Injuries

A pedestrian, cyclist or motorist may suffer a head injury in a road collision. Head trauma can range from a relatively minor injury to significant brain damage. The injury category depends on the diagnosis, recovery and any lasting cognitive or physical consequences.

Neck and Back Injuries

Rapid acceleration, impact or a fall may injure the neck and back. Soft tissue strains and spinal damage are not necessarily valued using the same rules. A qualifying car-occupant whiplash injury may be subject to the statutory tariff, whereas other road users or conditions may require guideline valuation.

Arm, Hand and Shoulder Injuries

Fractures and soft tissue damage to the upper limbs can occur during impact or when an injured person falls. Medical evidence about healing, surgery, continuing pain and reduced movement helps determine a relevant general damages category.

Leg, Knee, Ankle and Foot Injuries

These injuries may involve fractures, ligament damage, cartilage injury and continuing mobility problems. A moderate injury may have a very different prognosis from a severe injury leaving permanent restrictions. The calculator therefore offers separate reference choices.

Psychological Injuries

Some people experience a medically diagnosed psychological injury after a traumatic hit-and-run incident. PTSD can affect sleep, work, travel and daily activities. Diagnosis and prognosis are important; a frightening experience alone does not establish a particular psychiatric compensation band.

Who Can Make a Hit-and-Run Injury Claim?

Potential claimants may include injured car drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. Children may also have claims pursued on their behalf under applicable procedures. Eligibility depends on the incident and the governing law.

Pedestrians

A pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle whose driver leaves may have a claim if the driver's legal responsibility can be established and the relevant conditions are met.

Cyclists and Motorcyclists

Riders may experience direct impact or lose control while avoiding a vehicle. Evidence about what the other motorist did, the injury suffered and the accident circumstances matters.

Car Drivers and Passengers

A car occupant may be injured by a motorist who drives away after a collision. Depending on the accident date, type of injury and other requirements, statutory whiplash rules may be relevant alongside the appropriate claim scheme.

Whiplash Compensation in Hit-and-Run Claims

In England and Wales, the statutory whiplash tariff may apply to certain qualifying road traffic injuries involving car or van occupants. The applicable amount depends on the relevant accident date and medically supported injury duration.

Tariff for Qualifying Accidents From 31 May 2025

Qualifying accidents before 31 May 2025 but from 31 May 2021 generally use the earlier tariff amounts. The calculator selects the relevant table by accident date, but it cannot verify every statutory exception or claim condition.

How Long Do You Have to Make a Hit-and-Run Claim?

In England and Wales, many personal injury actions are subject to a three-year limitation framework. However, the relevant MIB agreement may have further procedural requirements and the position can differ for children or particular circumstances.

Claims involving property damage may have different conditions or time limits. Scotland and Northern Ireland also have separate legal arrangements. A calculator cannot determine whether a particular claim remains within time.

What Evidence Helps a Hit-and-Run Claim?

Evidence may help establish how the collision happened, whether another motorist was responsible and the effects of the injury. A registration number, even a partial one, can be useful, but gathering it should never put anyone in danger.

• Police report and incident reference number.
• Photographs of the scene or vehicle damage.
• Witness details and available CCTV information.
• Medical evidence and recovery records.
• Proof of lost earnings and expenses.
• Damage reports and property receipts.
• Records of attempts to identify the driver.

Hit and Run Compensation Calculation Examples

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Seek emergency assistance if someone is seriously injured or immediate danger exists. Obtain appropriate medical advice and do not follow or confront a fleeing driver in a way that creates further risk.

Report the collision to police as required. MIB also advises prompt reporting when the other driver cannot be traced. Preserve available evidence, notify your insurer where appropriate and consider the relevant claim route without unnecessary delay.

Hit and Run Compensation Calculator FAQs

How much compensation can I get for a hit and run?

There is no fixed hit-and-run payout. The injury, recovery, liability, evidence, relevant claim route and legally recoverable losses determine the possible award.

Can I claim if the driver was never found?

Potentially. The MIB untraced-driver arrangements may provide a route where the responsible motorist cannot be identified, subject to the applicable conditions.

Who pays compensation in a hit-and-run claim?

The appropriate payer depends on whether the driver is identified, insured and legally responsible. An insurer or the MIB may become involved depending on the facts.

Does leaving the scene increase compensation?

There is no automatic multiplier because the motorist left the scene. Injury compensation depends principally on the legally relevant injury consequences.

Must I report a hit and run within 14 days?

MIB publicly advises reporting within 14 days. The applicable scheme agreement and individual circumstances must also be considered. This calculator does not automatically reject late-reported claims.

Can I claim as a pedestrian or cyclist?

Yes, potentially. The relevant untraced-driver compensation arrangements are not limited to car occupants. Scheme conditions and evidence apply.

Can I claim for car or bicycle damage?

Property damage may be recoverable in some circumstances, but additional requirements can apply in untraced-driver claims. The calculator displays it separately and does not approve recovery.

Can I include lost earnings and medical treatment?

Such losses may be relevant when caused by the injury and supported by appropriate evidence. Recoverability depends on the actual claim.

Does the whiplash tariff apply?

It may apply to qualifying road traffic car-occupant injuries in England and Wales. Pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists may require different injury references.

Can a child make a hit-and-run claim?

A claim may be brought on behalf of a child where the legal conditions are met. Special procedures and limitation rules can apply.

What happens if the driver is found later?

The claim route may change. The driver's insurer or uninsured-driver arrangements may become relevant, depending on their status.

Is the calculator result guaranteed?

No. This tool provides an illustrative injury reference with entered financial losses. It cannot decide eligibility or promise an award.

Official Sources and Calculation Methodology

The calculator uses the relevant statutory whiplash figures for qualifying England and Wales cases and selected injury guideline-summary ranges for other injuries. Financial and property losses are entered separately and added arithmetically.

The Judicial College Guidelines are not a guaranteed payout schedule. The injury brackets require an exact subcategory review against the 18th edition before publication. MIB eligibility, legal responsibility, property restrictions and future losses are not determined.

• GOV.UK — Uninsured and Hit-and-Run Driver Compensation
• GOV.UK — What to Do After a Road Accident
• Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025
• Limitation Act 1980 — Section 11

Last editorial review: November 2026. This tool is educational and is not legal advice.