Although Portland is known for being a friendly city where people help each other out and try to do the right thing, there are always a few bad apples out there who, sadly, think of others very little when it comes to protecting their self-interest.
Unfortunately, some of these people drive, and it is these sorts who may simply take off after striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk, figuring that their vehicle will be hard to trace. They may be trying to escape a drunk driving or other charge, or they may just be scared, but for whatever reason, they do not take responsibility.
The victim of a hit-and-run or the family may not know where to turn in such situations, as it can be quite difficult to locate the driver, particularly if the accident happens when there is low visibility or very few or even no witnesses at the scene. If the driver cannot be located, though, then the victim does not know from whom the victim can get compensation for his or her injuries.
In these sorts of situations, one can only hope that the victim purchased uninsured motorists’ coverage or other insurance coverage that would protect the victim in these sorts of situations. Assuming that is the case, then the victim can, and should, go through his or her own insurance company to get compensation for medical bills, loss wages and the like.
However, filing a claim against one’s own insurance company in these circumstances can be tricky and complicated. There are a lot of legal and procedural hoops through which one may have to jump, and an insurance company is not always eager to pay out such claims. This is why legal representation in such matters is so important.
Many auto-pedestrian accidents in Portland and western Oregon involve hit-and-run drivers, some of which are never found. Fortunately, legal options may still be available to the accident victims.
