Miami Accident Lawyer Blog
Accidents can happen anywhere and anytime, without any fault of yours or without any prior warning whatsoever. For example, an incident took place in front of Bayside Marketplace on the night of July 30, 2015. According to Miami police, a man was attempting to cross Biscayne Boulevard at Northeast Fourth Street when he was struck by a taxi. In a classic case of hit and run, the cab took off without stopping to check on the victim, who was left lying injured on the road. Police later recognized the taxi as Yellow Cab #532, with tag ACU E95. Security patrol recordings showed that, after hitting the man, the taxi continued to speed northwards. The cab was eventually discovered abandoned at 119th Street and Biscayne Boulevard.
Our team of Miami car accident lawyers are outraged by this heinous, reckless, and complete disregard for human life. If the driver of the cab is apprehended, there is probably a foundation to pursue punitive damages.
How to Protect Yourself
There are a few things to keep in mind if you or any of your loved ones ever face such a situation.
Florida law mandates PIP (i.e. personal injury protection) coverage to be included on automobile insurance policies. Also known as Florida “No Fault Insurance,” PIP coverage provides a minimum layer of financial protection for you in case of an auto accident. The “no fault” means that PIP will help pay for your medical expenses regardless of who is determined to have caused the accident. Your PIP will also cover your child, members of your household, and certain passengers who lack PIP Insurance as long as they do not own a vehicle. People riding in your vehicle who carry PIP will receive coverage under their own PIP for their injuries, and certain licensed drivers who drive your vehicle with your permission are also covered. PIP also covers your child if they suffer an injury while riding on a school bus. PIP coverage protects you while in someone else’s vehicle, as a pedestrian, or as a bicyclist if you suffer an injury in a crash involving a motor vehicle.
PIP comes in handy, but the mandatory minimums are dangerously low. Drivers are required to carry only $10,000 in coverage. If you have significant injuries like a fractured rib, broken leg, torn muscles, nerve damage, spinal cord trauma, etc. that $10,000 will be spent very quickly on medical bills alone.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
It is highly recommended that you carry some form of uninsured motorist coverage. This is an optional form of insurance coverage in Florida, but can be a godsend in situations involving traumatic, potentially life-threatening injuries. You can purchase various amounts of uninsured motorist coverage, though it cannot exceed the amount of liability coverage you have on your auto insurance policy. This means if you have, for example, $50,000 in liability coverage, you are capped at $50,000 in uninsured motorist coverage.
Contact an Experienced Miami Car Wreck Lawyer Today
Figuring out which insurance policies apply and pursuing that coverage can be time-consuming and complex. This is where our Miami personal injury law firm can help. If you or a loved one was seriously hurt in an automobile accident, contact the experienced legal advocates at Gerson & Schwartz, PA for a free consultation.