Pedestrian Struck in Miami Beach Crosswalk — Florida's 'No-Fault' System Still Pays

A tourist was struck in a marked crosswalk on Collins Avenue and 14th Street late Friday night. The driver, who reportedly looked away to check directions, stopped at the scene and was issued a citation for failure to yield to a pedestrian.

Most non-residents assume that being a pedestrian disqualifies them from auto insurance benefits. In Florida, the opposite is true. Under Fla. Stat. 627.736(4)(d)(1), the PIP policy of the vehicle that struck the pedestrian (or that of a Florida-resident household member) provides up to $10,000 in benefits.

Out-of-state pedestrians injured in Miami are also entitled to recover full medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering damages from the at-fault driver's bodily injury liability policy — without the 'serious injury threshold' that applies in vehicle-on-vehicle PIP cases.

Miami Beach pedestrian crashes spike during high tourist seasons and major events. Documenting the crosswalk, signal phase, and any nearby surveillance cameras is critical evidence that disappears quickly.