subject: Follow The Documentation Procedure Properly With Accident Claim Scotland [print this page] It is bad enough getting the rough end of the stick in a road accident, but what can make it worse is when the opposite party just speeds away from the scene and also happens to have no insurance coverage in place. If you are the injured person in Scotland and have to contend with such a scenario, then you would be wondering as to how you should go about making an accident claim and get your due justice.
Fortunately, there exists an organisation - the Motor Insurance Bureau that was set up particularly to take care of such victims suffering the actions of negligent, as well as uninsured, motorists. The funding for this entity is covered by all motor insurers through the premium payments they make. Hence every legitimate driver who has taken insurance and has paid the premium has directly contributed to this fund and is helping victims who have suffered at the hands of uninsured negligent drivers.
So how do you go about your claim as a victim?
Your first duty is to make contact with your insurance provider and appraise them about the accident that has occurred. You then need to meet up with your lawyer and bring them up to speed with the development so that they can prepare grounds for claiming legal expenses and protect you from incurring those costs. They will make the claim on your behalf and file it with the MIB.
The job is only half done. You then have to make available, clinching evidence that the opposite uninsured party was indeed at fault. The only way to do that is to start accumulating all relevant documentation as well as pictures of the accident site, any statements from witnesses, your police complaint and so on. Mobile photographs taken are admissible as evidence and can be pretty handy.
If you do not have a mobile handy, then come back with a camera at the earliest and take snaps of the place without any delay. Even tyre marks and other such evidence may help you make a strong claim. Other reports such as the doctor's reports, vehicle damages and the estimate to get it repaired, as well as loss of earnings you have suffered due to absence from work are other evidence material that will be of great use and will lend substance to your claim.
At this point in time, it is worthwhile to remember that the organisation does have an upper limit that it cannot cross in its payment of compensation.
It is imperative that you report the accident immediately, to the nearest police station, especially if the opposite driver has not stopped. You then have to ascertain through the DVLA if the vehicle can be traced and whether the driver is insured. If you still cannot trace the driver, then keep your insurers posted on this. You will generally have a period of three years within which you can make your accident claim in Scotland and this claim amount should take care of your legal, medical, loss of pay due to absence from work and other expenses adequately.
