$150,000 Recovery: Hit and Run on I-595 — The UM Coverage That Made It Possible

Our client was driving on I-595 in Broward County when another driver struck their vehicle and fled the scene. The at-fault driver was never identified. Without uninsured motorist coverage, this case would have been worth nothing. With it, we recovered $150,000.

This case is a lesson every Florida driver needs to hear before they get behind the wheel.

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is an optional addition to your Florida auto insurance policy — though optional does not mean unimportant. UM coverage protects you when you are injured by a driver who either has no insurance, has insufficient insurance to cover your damages, or flees the scene and is never identified.

Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. Approximately one in four Florida drivers is uninsured. On a highway like I-595, where traffic is heavy and speeds are high, the chances of encountering one of those drivers is not hypothetical — it is a real daily risk.

How UM Coverage Works in a Hit and Run

When an at-fault driver flees and is never found, your own insurance company steps into the shoes of the uninsured driver. You make a claim against your own UM policy, and your insurer is obligated to compensate you for your injuries up to your policy limits — just as the at-fault driver's insurer would have been required to do.

Here is the part that surprises most people: your own insurance company will still fight your claim. Insurers have a financial interest in minimizing what they pay, even to their own policyholders. In this case, we fought our client's own insurer and recovered $150,000.

What You Should Do Right Now

Check your current auto insurance policy today. Look for UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage. If you do not have it, call your insurer and add it. If you have it, make sure the limits are adequate. The modest premium increase is worth it.

If you have already been involved in a hit and run and you are unsure about your coverage, call us. We will review your policy at no charge and tell you exactly where you stand.