KSL News reports that West Jordan police are searching for a man who hit a bicyclist and did not stop on August 5, 2008 near Jordan Landing in West Jordan, Utah. According to West Jordan police Sgt. Greg Butler a Dodge pickup made a left turn and ran into the bicyclist who was traveling in the other direction. The Dodge made no attempt to stop, but witnesses followed the truck and were able to get a description and a possible license plate number. The bicyclist was critically injured and is now in stable condition.
I wish a fast and full recover to this victim and hope this irresponsible driver decides to come forward.
What most people do not know is that Hit and Run Accident Victims can still make an insurance claim for medical bills, lost wages and even pain and suffering, even if the driver that caused this tragic accident is not found. Almost every automobile insurance policy has a portion of coverage called Uninsured Motorist Coverage. This allows accident victims who were injured by an unidentified or uninsured driver to make a claim, and since the victim did not cause the accident, their insurance rates should not increase. In Utah, a statute that has been referred to as the “phantom vehicle statute” allows hit-and-run accident victims to qualify under this coverage.
A vehicle that leaves the scene and is not identified, but was the proximate cause of the accident is defined, by statute as uninsured. The existence of such a vehicle, however, must be established by clear and convincing evidence. In this case there is sufficient evidence as several independent witnesses saw the car hit the bicycle and leave the scene.
The bicyclist would be well served by consulting with a Utah Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney to ensure that all medical bills and other damages, including pain and suffering are completely covered for an accident that was clearly not his/her fault.
