Personal Injury Wolf
In the State of Florida and other States, hit and run accidents continue to occur on a frequent basis. The at-fault driver flees the scene for a number of reasons or for no reason at all. The driver may flee the scene because of one or more of the following reasons:
Failure to have a valid driver’s license;
Failure to carry the proper automobile insurance;
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
Attempt to avoid liability or responsibility for the crash; or
Just pure cowardice.
Whatever the reason or no reason at all, a hit and run automobile accident can have dramatic effects on the victim and the victim’s family. If a person is the victim of a Florida hit and run automobile accident and the at-fault driver or vehicle cannot be located, there are still causes of action or claims that can be brought by the injury victim and the injury victim’s family.
Florida automobile insurance coverage may provide benefits to the victim of a hit and run accident. If the victim owned an automobile, resided with a relative who owned an automobile, and / or occupied an automobile with insurance coverage, then the following coverage / benefits may be pursued:
PIP (Personal Injury Protection Coverage). PIP provides up to $10,000 in most cases for medical bills and lost wages.
Death Benefit. Under some Florida policies, there can be a death benefit of $5,000 to $10,000 or more when a covered person dies as a result of an automobile accident. This can apply to pedestrians and bicyclists as well.
Med Pay (Medical Payment Coverage). This optional coverage may provide for an additional $1,000 – $5,000 or more in medical payment coverage for medical bills related to the automobile accident or incident.
UM (Uninsured Motorist Coverage). This optional coverage may provide for $10,000 to $1,000,000 or more in insurance coverage for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, lost of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish related damages.
If a person is the victim of a hit and run accident as an occupant of a vehicle, motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian, the above coverages may apply. Certainly, it is preferable to also have the driver and owner of the at-fault vehicle identified and that the at-fault driver / owner have additional coverage in the for of BI (Bodily Injury Coverage); however, it should be pointed out that there is a cause of action to pursue for the victim of a hit and run accident even when the at-fault owner / driver cannot be located OR if it turns out there is no coverage in place of the at-fault owner / driver.
It was recently reported that a Jacksonville, Florida mother – Erica Milton – age 33 – was run over by a hit and run driver at the intersection of Memorial Park Road and Normandy Boulevard. Erica Milton was taken to UF Health Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida which tragically she was reported dead. An investigation is under way to attempt to locate the owner / driver of the vehicle. When there is a death as a result of an automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accident, the local policy and / or the Florida Highway Patrol will conduct a full investigation to determine the cause and preventability of the accident / incident which will later be placed in a Florida Traffic Homicide Report. You can read more about this accident at Jacksonville Florida Mother / Pedestrian Killed While Crossing Crosswalk.
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, David Wolf handles automobile, pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, and trucking accidents throughout the State of Florida. He is the author of 11 books including the book titled Florida Automobile Accidents – Personal Injuries – Protecting and Enforcing Your Legal Rights. This book has chapters on Medical Treatment and Follow Up, Insurance Issues and Common Questions, Florida Automobile Accidents – Case Types (including Hit and Run Accidents), and other topics. You can get this book for free at Florida Automobile Accidents.