The Uninsured Division (UD), managed by Maryland Auto Insurance for the State of Maryland, assists eligible residents who have no access to insurance coverage and who have been injured in accidents caused by uninsured drivers.
Recently, the UD assisted a preschool teacher who was seriously injured in a hit‑and‑run crash during her morning walk to work. It was early on a bright summer day, and the claimant was following her regular route, stopping at a familiar intersection. When the traffic light changed, and the pedestrian signal indicated she could cross safely, she stepped into the marked crosswalk.
A vehicle sped through the red light and hit her while she was (legally) crossing the street. The impact threw her into the air, causing extensive injuries including fractures to her pelvis, ribs, and femur. The vehicle fled the scene, leaving the injured teacher lying in the roadway.
Multiple witnesses rushed to her aid and waited for emergency responders to arrive. Police officers at the scene immediately began trying to gather information about the vehicle and identify the driver. Unfortunately, no witness was able to provide identifying information about the vehicle.
Just when it appeared that there might be no way to determine exactly what had happened, a witness approached one of the officers and told him that his Tesla’s camera had captured the entire incident.
A review of the Tesla footage confirmed what the claimant had reported. Although the footage did not provide identifying information about the vehicle or its driver, it played an important role in establishing that our client was not at fault.
Under Maryland law, a hit-and-run crash where the at-fault driver cannot be identified or located is considered an “uninsured motorist” situation. Since the driver could not be identified and there was no auto insurance policy to cover the injuries, and because the victim had no access to other auto or homeowners’ insurance that could be called upon, she was able to pursue compensation for her injuries through Maryland’s Uninsured Division.
For more information on the Uninsured Division and eligibility for filing a claim, click here,