In 2017 the BBC found that the body that compensates victims of uninsured drivers faced its first rise in claims for more than a decade.

In the year to July, cases submitted to the Motor Insurance Bureau rose by almost 10% to about 12,000 after declining since 2004.

The MIB estimated that they paid out £256m in compensation in 2017. This money is provided by insurers and adds an average cost of £15 to each motor premium.

Reasons for the rise could include more uninsured driving on UK roads, but increases in the number of drivers and the effect of claims management companies may also be a factor.

The MIB’s chief executive, Ashton West, told the BBC: “In the last year or so, for the first time in a decade or more, we are starting to see the trend of reduction actually change direction, and we have started to see it increase.”

The number of claims from victims of uninsured or hit-and-run drivers had fallen from around 25,000 in 2004 to just under 11,000 before the 2016/17 rise.

“It’s early days, it’s difficult to know exactly why, but we’ve seen insurance premiums rise in recent times and it’s possible there is a link between the cost of insurance and people’s propensity to drive without insurance,” said Mr Ashton.

If you have been involved in a collision with an uninsured or untraced driver and believe you may have grounds for a personal injury claim, or if you have any queries regarding the MIB’s application process for compensation, please contact our experienced litigation team at HHD enquiries@hhdsolicitors.com who will be happy to provide assistance.

KATRINA LAGAN