Deadly Hit-and-Run offers a Grim Reminder of Importance of UM coverage

At 7am this morning, a Ford F-250 struck and killed a pedestrian in Dover on State Road 574 near Mott Road. The driver of the F-250 remains at large and the victim’s name has not been released as of this afternoon. Tragedies like this are unspeakable for the family and friends of the victim and the team at Santini Law express their deepest condolences.

Unfortunately Florida car accidents like this one are not uncommon, and the prevalence of such accidents highlights the importance of adding UM coverage to your automobile policy. Pedestrians in Florida who have been struck by motorists who either don’t have insurance or have left the scene of the accident can use their own automobile insurance to cover the damages they have suffered. However, this is only possible if you have UM, or Uninsured Motorist coverage. When you have UM coverage, your own insurance company may cover your medical expenses, permanent disability, and lost wages. The surviving descendants of a deceased victim may also be eligible to recover for their loss if the deceased had UM coverage.

UM coverage is not the same as PIP coverage. While every vehicle registered in Florida is required to have PIP (also called No Fault/Personal Injury Protection) insurance, UM coverage is not required and you have to specifically request your car insurance company to add it to your policy. PIP only provides $10,000 for medical expenses and wages lost if you have been injured while walking as a pedestrian in Florida.

Cases that involve the injury or death of a pedestrian caused by an uninsured or hit and run driver can be difficult and emotionally draining. The victims of these accidents should consult an attorney with experience representing victims against their own insurance companies. You can count on us at Santini Law to navigate the legal system and put you in the best position to recover for your losses after a pedestrian crash causing injury, or even worse, a loved one’s death.

Our Riverview personal injury attorneys are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so call us anytime. You will never be charged to discuss your case.