It may come as a surprise to some, but if you have coverage for uninsured motorists, it will cover your losses if you are a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle. This is because uninsured motorist (UM) coverage follows the insured people, not the car. This means that UM covers all insured persons, whether they are riding in their car, riding in someone else's car, or are pedestrians or riding bicycles and are hit by a car. It also covers insured persons in the event of a hit and run.
If a driver crashes into your vehicle and flees, you can file a claim against the uninsured motorist coverage under your policy. However, in some states, uninsured motorist coverage for property damage (UMPD) will not cover hit and run incidents. In this case, you'll need collision coverage so that your insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by a driver who fled. Standard policies for uninsured drivers cover you, the policyholder, your spouse, and any family member who lives in the same house as you.
UM coverage generally also extends to passengers who are in the vehicle at the time of the accident. If you don't have bodily injury insurance and the other driver doesn't have bodily injury insurance, no matter how seriously you're injured, you won't be able to recover anything from the insurance company other than initial PIP coverage for medical expenses and lost wages. Without coverage for uninsured motorists, if you are injured or your vehicle is damaged in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you could end up paying for medical bills or vehicle repairs out of your own pocket. Therefore, all drivers in Florida must have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage to supplement their PIP benefits.
If the at-fault driver does not have sufficient liability insurance, coverage for underinsured motorists will apply. You cannot file a lawsuit against other motorists, since they were not at fault, so you would file a lawsuit for an uninsured motorist against the phantom motorist who was the cause of the chain of events. It's essential to have coverage for uninsured motorists in case a motorist hits you and flees. If you've been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact Mickey Keenan Law to get the settlement you deserve.
UIM pays the difference if your damages exceed the limits of the at-fault driver's BIL insurance policy. Both uninsured motorist coverage for property damage (UMPD) and collision coverage cover damage caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Another advantage of having UM coverage is that it safeguards you if you are injured by a fleeing driver. For the personal injury portion that covers your injuries, consider matching the amount of your liability coverage.
