Mon-Fri: 8am-5:30pm | Sat: 8am-1pm

TALK TO AN EXPERT

MENU

PRACTICE AREAS

What to Do After Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents

Portland auto accident attorneyA tragic accident left an Oregon pedestrian dead recently. Law enforcement officers reported to the scene of an accident and found the victim lying in the middle of the road. Statesman Journal indicated that law enforcement officers determined the victim had been hit by a car and the driver of the car had left the scene of the crash. Police were asking anyone with information to contact law enforcement to provide details. Law enforcement officers also asked for local repair shops to keep an eye out for cars which had unexplained vehicle damage.

Pedestrian accidents which cause fatalities are always tragic and damaging for family members the victim left behind. Unfortunately, in cases where a hit-and-run occurred, the losses suffered by the family may be especially severe. This is because while most crash victims and their families can pursue a claim against the driver who caused the death, it is not possible to do this in a hit-and-run unless the driver can be found.

What to Do After Hit and Run Pedestrian Accidents

When hit-and-run pedestrian accidents occur, locating the driver responsible for the accident is a top priority, especially if the accident is a fatal one. Drivers are required to stay at the scene to provide identifying information and talk with law enforcement officers who respond to the crash. It is a crime for motorists not to stop, and police will seek community help in identifying the hit-and-run driver, as they have done in this case.

If the pedestrian survives the accident, they should try to provide as much information as possible to the police to help law enforcement officers find the driver who was involved. This could include a description of the car and any partial or full license plate numbers. Unfortunately, if the victim is deceased, as in this case, law enforcement often has limited evidence to go on to find hit and run drivers. Still, it may be possible for the driver to be identified.

If the driver who caused the hit-and-run pedestrian accident is found, family members of the deceased can potentially make a wrongful death claim. If a victim survives but suffers serious injury, the victim could also pursue a personal injury lawsuit. The victim would need to be able to show the driver who was identified as leaving the scene of the crash was, in fact, the motorist who caused the accident to occur.

If the hit-and-run driver is never found, it may be possible for pedestrian accident victims or their families to try to recover at least some compensation from the victim’s auto insurer. Oregon law requires extensive insurance coverage, including personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured motorist coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. Insurance can provide some compensation to victims and their families when a hit-and-run driver is not identified.

Latest Posts

Archives

Free Injury Case Evaluation

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Practice Areas

The Long-Term Effects of Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the immediate pain and inconvenience....

The Role of Insurance in Slip and Fall Lawsuits in Woodburn

Understanding Insurance Coverage and Its Impact on Slip and Fall Lawsuits....

How to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case in Portland?

Proving negligence in Portland. What you need to know....

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Woodburn?

A comprehensive guide on what to do after a slip and fall accident....

The Legal Responsibilities of Property Owners in Portland, OR

Safety requirements for property owners in Portland....

Car Accidents in Portland: How To Protect Yourself on the Road

Stay safe on the roads of Portland....