The UK is a popular place with tourists, and over thousands visit every year. Many tourists rent vehicles to drive around in. Also, many lorries or trucks on UK roads are driven by foreign drivers, or at least drivers who are not citizens of the UK. If you are involved in a road accident with foreign drivers, you needn’t think that you’ve lost any chance of claiming compensation. Provided you are not at fault, foreign drivers are subject to the same traffic laws and regulations as a UK driver.
When in a road accident with a foreign driver, it is important to take down their contact details. Ensure that you have both their current and permanent contact details. Check with them if the car has been borrowed, or has been rented. If rented, then take down details of the rental agency. If borrowed, take down details of the original owner. Also take down the car’s make and model and license number. If you are in a car crash with a foreign driver who doesn’t speak any English, get them to write down all of their details. If they do not understand and are not forthcoming with the information required, contact the local police who will be able to assist.
Foreign drivers are expected to be covered by insurance when they take to driving on UK roads. Their insurance can be provided for by the company renting the car out to them or by themselves. In any case, insurance is mandatory. However, this does not mean you will not come across uninsured foreign drivers. Sometimes, foreign drivers may be insured but the procedures may be complicated. At such times you can take the help of the Motor Insurers Bureau. The MIB can take up your case and pursue foreign drivers for insurance. In cases where drivers are uninsured, they can tell you what your options are.
As soon as possible after the accident, once you have the driver and the car details, make sure you call your insurance company. Inform the company of all the details you have. Also take down details like date and time, place, number of passengers in either car, photographs and witnesses present. Supplying the insurance company with all these details will make it easier for them to pursue your case. In cases where the foreign driver has no insurance, the insurance company may ask you to seek out a solicitor who can guide you with tricky details of overseas insurance. At claims4negligence, our no win no fee lawyers are well versed in handling cases with foreign insurance holders and getting you the compensation you deserve. Contact us, and we’ll tell you the best possible solution, no matter how complicated the problem may seem.