Personal injury victims face delays due to MIB cuts
According to research by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), victims of personal injury continue to face substantial delays in the resolution of their claims through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
What is the Motor Insurers’ Bureau?
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) is a non-profit organisation that works with the UK Government to compensate those injured due to the negligence of uninsured and/or untraceable drivers (e.g. hit and run). The MIB provides compensation to victims of accidents, and campaigns to reduce uninsured driving in the UK.
As every underwriter (insurer) of compulsory motor insurance is required to be a member of the MIB (per the Road Traffic Act 1988), they contribute to its funding.
Why are there delays with MIB claims?
Delays at the Motor Insurers’ Bureau have steadily increased over recent years. In fact, in 2023, delays were 34% above normal levels in 2017, with waits of three months or more for some Claimants.
The reasons for these delays are reported to be staffing cuts and a lack of training, causing delays in processing claims. The total number of MIB employees has been cut by 21% in the last six years and the number of staff processing claims has fallen by a third.
Our personal injury solicitors endeavour to manage your claim efficiently and progress your case where possible, but sometimes matters are out of our control and it may be that these delays at the Motor Insurers’ Bureau cause delays to your claim. We will, however, keep you informed on progress throughout your claim,
How do I make an MIB claim?
If you are injured in an accident involving an uninsured driver or in a hit-and-run, you should instruct a specialist road accident solicitor to claim on your behalf. Your lawyer will present your claim to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau and monitor its progress, keeping you informed throughout.
The MIB will consider the following as part of your personal injury claim:
- Treatment for your injury or injuries
- The cost of rehabilitation for your injury
- Loss of earnings, e.g. if you are unable to work due to the impact of your injury
- Compensation for the death of a loved one
Time limits for making an MIB personal injury claim
If your accident happened in England or Wales, you will need to claim within three years of the injury occurring, although there are exceptions, including:
- Claims involving children under 18 (at the time they sustained the injury)
- Claims involving those who lack mental capacity
- Claims where the injured person has died
For more information on time limits for personal injury claims, click here.
Does it cost to make a personal injury claim through the MIB?
You do not have to pay to claim for personal injury via your solicitor and the MIB, however, claims are subject to a £400 excess fee which is taken from your final compensation amount.
As with any other personal injury claim, our solicitors offer ‘no win, no fee’ for road traffic accident claims. This means that if you do not ‘win’ your claim, you will not have to pay for your lawyer’s time.
Why do I need a solicitor for an MIB claim?
Although anyone can make a personal injury claim with the MIB, it is strongly recommended that you instruct a specialist solicitor to manage your claim. Having an experienced lawyer at your side will help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. For example, if we believe the settlement offer from the insurer is too low, we will attempt to negotiate a higher amount of compensation.
Further information
If you have been injured in an accident on the road that wasn’t your fault, as a passenger, cyclist or pedestrian, our road traffic accident solicitors may be able to help.
To discuss your potential personal injury claim, call our team on 0117 325 2929 or complete our online enquiry form.