How to make an injury claims for a road accident involving a foreign driver

If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a road accident, we can help. If your injuries were caused by another driver, cyclist, pedestrian or any other road user, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

You can make a No Win, No Fee road accident claim with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.

With nearly 75,000 car occupant injuries every year, you are not alone

In 2023, there were 749 car occupant fatalities and 72,155 casualties (gov.uk).

Thanks to the Green Card system, if you are involved in a collision with an insured foreign driver, you can claim in much the same way as you would for a road traffic accident with a UK-registered vehicle.

The key difference is that claims are overseen by the Motor Insurance Bureau (mib.org.uk), who process the claim on behalf of the foreign insurer.

If you decide to make a claim for an accident involving a foreign driver, your solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.

What if the driver was uninsured or untraceable?

If the driver responsible for the injury is either uninsured or untraceable, a claim can be pursued through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).

The MIB is an independent that pays road accident compensation to the victims of uninsured or untraced (unidentified) drivers.

How much compensation can I claim for an accident caused by a foreign driver?

The compensation you can claim for an accident caused by a foreign driver will depend on:

• the extent of your injury,
• the impact of your injury on your daily life and ability to work,
• the costs or financial losses you?ve experienced due to the accident.

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

Special damages will be awarded for any lost earnings, loss of commission or bonuses, and loss of pension contributions. It may also be possible to claim for loss of future earnings, if the medical prognosis establishes that you won't be able to work for any period in the future.

These damages will also cover the cost of any medical procedures you might need to treat or recover from your road injury such as pain medication and psychological support.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Understanding the psychological consequences of an accident on the road

Some degree of psychological trauma following a road accident is normal. Where symptoms are long-lasting or having a debilitating affect on your life, additional help and support is available.

Our 2025 Road Injury Claimant Survey highlights how common psychiatric injuries are, with 32.47% of road accident claims involving psychological harm. 78.53% of these were also associated with a physical injury.

Road accidents frequently trigger amaxophobia (fear of driving or being a passenger) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Your solicitor will help to ensure you recieve suitable compensation for the diagnosed psychological harm you have suffered, to support your recovery and provide funding for therapies that may not be accessible on the NHS your area.

Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.

Do I have a foreign vehicle road injury claim?

You can claim compensation for an accident caused by a foreign driver, if:

• you were injured within the last 3 years, and;
• another person was to blame, and;
• that person owed you a duty of care.

Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.

What if the accident was partly my fault?

Attributing blame for an accident isn't always clear-cut.

In our 2025 Road Injury Claimant Survey, we found that 5.24% of injured road users felt they had at least some responsibility for the injuries they sustained.

Even if you partly caused the accident or your injuries (refered to as 'contributory negligence'), you may still be entitled to make a claim. These claims can often be settled on the basis of a split liability agreement.

Read more:

Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?

How long after a foreign vehicle road accident do I have to claim compensation?

In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of your accident or injury.

If you were injured when you were under 18, a parent, guardian or adult 'litigation friend' can make a claim on your behalf. Once you turn 18, you have until your 21st birthday to start an injury claim.

How does the Green Card system work?

Recognised in over 40 countries, including all the countries of Europe, the United Nations (UN) Green Card system is designed to:

• Allow vehicles to move freely between countries
• Protect the interests of victims of foreign registered drivers

The Green Card itself does not offer motor insurance. Instead it is proof that the minimum legal requirements for third party liability are covered in the motor insurance policy of participating countries. This makes it essential in helping settlement claims arising from an accident.

For more information, see Driving Abroad (gov.uk).

What to do immediately after an accident with a foreign driver

Just as you would after an accident with a UK registered vehicle, take down the driver's name, address, contact number, registration plate and any other relevant information.

If the driver is struggling to understand English, be sure to at least note the registration plate. This can be used to trace the owner of the vehicle and insurance details, if necessary.

In addition, be sure to get as much information you can from any witnesses to the accident. And take note of any CCTV cameras in the area. These will help prove liability in any compensation claim.

Once you have the insurance details of the foreign vehicle, the Green Card system should enable you to make a claim with the help of the MIB. If an accident happened outside of the UK, or if the foreign driver was uninsured, the claim can be more complex.

Understanding the claims process for different accidents

The process for making a claim against a foreign driver will depend on the accident's location and circumstances. Click the icons below for details.

Road accidents Pedestrian injuries Cycling accident Motorcycle accident Other accidents

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Author:
Chris Salmon, Director

About the author

Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.