Lesson From Austin Hit & Run Accidents: Buy Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Last Friday, in a tragic  hit and run wreck, an alleged drunk driver hit a group of pedestrians, including UT soccer players Kylie Doniak and Leah Payne.  

Our thoughts are certainly with the injured and the families of the injured, especially Ms. Doniak, who was seriously injured. 

But the incident is also a lesson to others.  In this case, a witness, Sisto Perez, followed the driver and restrained him until police arrived.  But this case is the exception. 

A story about the wreck on Fox 7 cited Austin Police Department statistics that there are 800 hit and run accidents in Austin every month.  Only 6% of the non-injury hit and run wrecks are solved, and only 25% of the hit and run wrecks involving injuries or fatalities are solved.

These statistics are a good reminder about the necessity of purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your automobile policy, which will provide coverage for most of these claims.  Hit and run drivers are a constant problem, and often, the only protection you will have for your injuries in these situations is your own UM/UIM coverage.  So when you’re purchasing insurance next time, make sure you purchase insurance to protect yourself.

For additional information on uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, you can visit our uninsured/underinsured motorist page.

And certainly, if you or a loved one is involved in a car wreck with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, please feel free to call us at (512)476-4944 and we’ll try to help.