By Julie Straw - bio | email | twitter
JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Constance Martin was driving home from work Valentines Day.
She was stopped at a red light on Martin Luther, King Jr. Drive and Woodrow Wilson Avenue.
"All of a sudden I heard this slam," said Martin. "I didn't know what it was and I was like, oh my god. I've been hit."
Before she could swap insurance information with the driver that struck her car he drove away.
"I feel like a victim, you know? Someone that didn't do anything wrong, but yet is being penalized for somebody else's error," Martin said.
She described the vehicle as a black SUV, possibly a 4 Runner, with a chrome front and Hinds County tag.
The bumper on her Saturn will have to be replaced for about a $1,000.
Martin said even with insurance half of the cost would come out of pocket.
"If he has insurance or if he doesn't, it was his responsibility to make sure that my car is repaired back to its original value," Martin said.
It is likely the driver did not have insurance.
According to the Insurance Research Council, 28% of Mississippi drivers do not carry insurance.
"It's just unfortunate," said State Farm Agent in Jackson Preston Derivaux. "Some people just can't protect themselves like we'd like to see them protect themselves."
Derivaux does not represent Martin, but says he sees similar cases on a weekly basis.
Derivaux said getting uninsured motorist coverage is the best way to protect yourself.
"People understand getting sued, but they don't always think about what is going to happen to them and their families if they're the victims and the other person doesn't have coverage," Derivaux said.
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Constance Martin
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
