You don’t have to shoulder medical bills alone after being hurt by someone else’s careless actions. Skilled legal support is available to help you navigate the insurance process and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Watching a driver speed away after they strike your vehicle or hit you while you are walking is a terrifying experience. In a split second, you go from going about your day to dealing with physical pain and the stress of a damaged car or mounting medical bills. Hit-and-run accidents are unfortunately common on the busy streets of the Rose City, leaving many victims feeling like they have no way to pay for their recovery.
However, Oregon law provides specific ways for you to seek money even when the at-fault driver is never found. To protect your rights during this difficult time, you should speak with a Portland, OR personal injury lawyer who knows how to handle these unique insurance claims.
Options for Victims to Reclaim Damages
If you are a victim of a hit-and-run, your primary source of money will likely be your own insurance policy. Oregon law requires every car insurance policy to include specific coverages that act as a safety net for situations just like this. It provides benefits whether you were driving your car, riding a bicycle, or crossing the street as a pedestrian. Understanding how your insurance policy operates is the first step toward getting your life back on track.
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: This is the most important tool for hit-and-run victims because it treats an unidentified fleeing driver as an “uninsured” person.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Every Oregon policy must provide at least $15,000 in PIP benefits to pay for medical bills and a portion of lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash.
- Pedestrian Rights: If you were hit while walking and do not own a car, you may be able to file a claim through a family member’s policy or a state fund.
- Health Insurance: Your regular health coverage can step in once your PIP benefits run out to ensure your doctors get paid.
- Property Damage: Unless you have specific “uninsured motorist property damage” coverage, you will likely need to use your collision coverage to repair your vehicle.
How a Portland Injury Attorney Can Help
Insurance companies are businesses that often try to pay out as little as possible, even to their own loyal customers. An attorney acts as your advocate to make sure your insurance company treats your claim fairly and pays the full value of your losses. They know the tricks adjusters use to deny hit-and-run claims, such as claiming there was no actual contact between the vehicles. Working with the experienced legal team at Philbrook Law ensures that you have a professional gathering evidence to prove exactly what happened.
- Locating Video Footage: Lawyers search for nearby doorbell cameras or business security feeds that might have captured the fleeing vehicle’s license plate.
- Interviewing Witnesses: A legal team will track down people who saw the accident to get their statements while their memories are still fresh.
- Calculating Total Losses: Your attorney will add up all your medical bills, future care needs, and the physical pain you have suffered.
- Managing Deadlines: They make sure all your insurance paperwork is filed correctly so you do not lose your right to collect money.
- Negotiating Settlements: If the insurance company offers a low-ball amount, your lawyer will fight for a higher check that covers all your needs.
The Statute of Limitations in Oregon
Every person hurt in an accident must follow a strict legal timeline if they want to sue for their injuries. In Oregon, the general rule is that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in a civil court. This clock starts the moment the crash happens, and once it runs out, you can almost never ask for money again. This is why you should never wait until the last minute to find a Portland, OR personal injury lawyer to look at your case.
While two years sounds like plenty of time, hit-and-run cases require extra investigation that can take months to finish. If your accident involved a government vehicle or a city bus, you might have as little as 180 days to file a formal notice of your claim. Missing these short windows of time can lead to a judge dismissing your case before it even begins. By starting your legal journey early, you give your team the best chance to find the person who hit you or secure the maximum benefits from your own insurance.
Take Action After a Portland Hit-and-Run
You don’t have to shoulder medical bills alone after being hurt by someone else’s careless actions. Skilled legal support is available to help you navigate the insurance process and pursue the compensation you deserve. Taking action now can bring peace of mind, financial stability, and the freedom to focus on healing. Reach out to a local law firm today for a free consultation and take the first confident step toward your claim.
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