Being involved in a road traffic accident is difficult enough to cope with but when you are hit by an uninsured driver, things become a lot worse.

It often isn’t clear as to what happens when you are hit by an uninsured driver, well if you have a fully comprehensive policy then you will be covered for the damage caused to your vehicle. However you will have to pay the agreed amount of excess and you may be at risk of losing your no claims bonus if you are unable to trace and recover the amount from the uninsured driver. Unfortunately if you have any form of third party policy, you are not covered for the cost of the repair to your own vehicle but you should still inform your insurance company of the circumstances.

1/3 of people in the UK have driven at some point without insurance. It is said that uninsured drivers make up 5% of motorists and one in ten of us have been involved in an accident with them. Uninsured drivers cause more accidents and cost the Motor Insurance Bureau 500 million last year, however only 16% are convicted.

Uninsured drivers are six times more likely to drive non road worthy vehicles and are nine times more likely to be involved in an accident. They are more likely to be involved in hit and run and often make up the accidents that are due to not paying attention.

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver you should:

• Call the police immediately
• Take the name of the driver and the owner of the vehicle including the address, the registration number and the policy details.
• If you feel that the details given to you may not be correct, contact your insurer and they will be able to check the Motor Insurance Database to find out.
• Never admit to the accident and avoid throwing accusations at the other person, remain calm as the uninsured driver may withhold information and redirect blame.
• Use your mobile phone to take pictures of the driver and the vehicle
• If there are witnesses, try to get them to give you there details incase their account of events is needed.

Police carried out enquires in 2004 that found 80% of untaxed vehicles also had no insurance. If you are caught in an accident with a driver who has no insurance, you could face a long battle to have your costs paid.

Before you do anything when it comes to claiming compensation you should get legal advice. You should speak to personal injury lawyers who will be able to guide you through the claims process and tell you whether you have a good shot at having a successful compensation claim.

The best and most efficienct way of claiming compensation is through a no win no fee claim. If you are successful in your claim your fees are repaid from the other side and if you are sadly unsuccessful you will have no fees to pay, meaning you don’t lose out.

Helen Cox is the web master for Accident Consult, specialists in Uninsured Driver Claims.

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