Who pays my medical bills after a hit-and-run if the driver is never found?

Your own auto policy. Personal Injury Protection pays medical bills and part of your lost wages regardless of fault, and uninsured motorist coverage pays the remaining damages the fleeing driver would have owed, up to your UM limit. Both apply to pedestrians and cyclists through their own or a household member’s policy.

Is a hit and run a felony in Oregon?

Leaving the scene of a crash that caused injury is a felony under ORS 811.705. Leaving the scene of a property-damage-only crash is a misdemeanor under ORS 811.700.

How long do I have to file a hit-and-run injury claim in Oregon?

Two years from the date of the crash under ORS 12.110. Uninsured motorist claims must also be asserted within two years and your policy may impose shorter notice requirements, so report the crash and notify your insurer promptly.

How are hit-and-run drivers identified?

Through traffic, transit, business, and doorbell camera footage, dash cams, paint transfer and debris analysis, body shop reports, insurance claim red flags, and witness tips. Fast preservation of camera footage is critical.

What should I do right after a hit-and-run in Portland?

Call 911, note everything you can about the vehicle and direction of travel, photograph the scene and debris, get witness contact information, seek medical care, report the hit-and-run to your own insurer, and contact an attorney before giving any recorded statement.

Can I get punitive damages if the hit-and-run driver is found?

Often, yes. Fleeing the scene of an injury crash is conduct Oregon courts treat as reckless disregard for others, which supports a punitive damages claim in addition to compensatory damages, particularly when alcohol was involved.

Portland Hit and Run Accident Attorney

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As Portland hit and run accident attorneys, we can help you in several ways, including frightening hit and run accidents. Our experience with this type of case allows us to comprehend all the complexities of your situation, and we understand your need for justice.

If the hit & run driver is not found, our hit and run accident attorneys can help you get compensation through your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your auto policy.

If you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries in a hit and run accident, file a police report, get the contact information for any witnesses, and call our office at (503) 222-4411 or send us your case information online for a FREE case evaluation. Start learning about your legal rights and options from our experienced attorneys today.

Why Choose A Portland Hit And Run Lawyer From DuBois Law Group – PDX Injury Law?

Our Portland accident lawyers have helped hundreds of Portland residents navigate complex insurance and lawsuit processes. We will leverage our experience to identify your optimal path to recovery after your accident.
Our firm’s track record speaks for itself. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts. Our attorneys are dedicated to achieving maximum compensation in your claim.
Navigating a hit-and-run investigation can be a challenge after a recent injury. The lawyers at DuBois Law Group will handle all aspects of your case on your behalf, allowing you to focus on recovery.

What Are Some Common Injuries in Portland Hit and Run Cases?

Hit and run accidents can result in serious, sometimes life-threatening injuries that require prompt medical attention. In many cases, these injuries require extensive medical care, result in weeks of lost wages, and may lead to long-term complications. Some of the most common injuries in hit and run accidents include the following.

Broken bones
Whiplash
Lacerations and bruises
Internal organ damage
Brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Neck and back injury
Facial injuries
Burns and scarring

Oregon Hit and Run Injury Accident Laws

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According to Oregon State Law (ORS 811.705), in the case of an auto accident where one or more parties is injured, the party that is responsible for causing the injuries is required to immediately stop and remain at the scene of the accident until released by a police officer.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, and the driver at fault for your injuries did not stop, you have the right to seek legal recourse for your injuries (ORS 811.700) and any damages to your vehicle. If you had other occupants in your vehicle, they also have the right to legal recourse for any injuries sustained in the Portland hit and run accident.

National government statistics show that approximately 11% of all car accidents are hit & run accidents. This equates to nearly 700,000 hit & run accidents per year in the United States. If you or a loved one has been a victim of one of these irresponsible, law-breaking drivers, you should know that most of the time, the driver is never caught.

What this means is that you are forced to recover your losses from your own insurance policy, but a Portland hit-and-run accident lawyer can help you through the process. Insurance companies are in the business of collecting premiums and paying out as little as possible for losses.

Insurance adjusters are promoted based on how little they pay out. They do not work for you! You will need a competent and knowledgeable Portland hit-and-run accident attorney to deal with the insurance companies so that you can begin to heal from your injuries – physical, emotional, and financial.

What Kind Of Compensation Is Available For Hit-And-Run Victims?

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We understand the serious bodily injuries that are suffered by a hit and run accident victims, and we work hard to get our hit-and-run accident clients fair compensation.

Our legal team has the resources and the experience to assist you or your loved one with every aspect of your hit and run injury accident case. We want you to recover the maximum possible compensation package for your injuries, which may include damages for:

Present and future medical expenses
Loss of wages
Future loss of wages
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Disfigurement
Scarring
Disability
Loss of quality of life
Impairment
Rehabilitation

If you were a pedestrian and were involved in a hit-and-run accident, it is crucial that you reach out to one of our pedestrian accident attorneys in Portland.

How Hit-and-Run Victims Get Paid: Uninsured Motorist Coverage and PIP

The question every hit-and-run victim asks is the same: if the driver is never found, who pays? In Oregon, the answer is usually your own auto insurance, through two coverages the state requires on every policy. Personal Injury Protection pays your medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault, starting immediately, with no need to identify the other driver. Uninsured motorist coverage then steps into the shoes of the driver who fled and pays for the damages a liability claim would have covered: the rest of your medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering, up to your UM policy limit. A hit-and-run driver is treated as an uninsured driver under Oregon law, so this coverage applies even when the vehicle is never identified.

Both coverages apply to you as a pedestrian or cyclist through your own auto policy, or through the policy of a family member in your household, even though you were not in a car. If you do not own a car and no household member does, other sources may exist, and our attorneys look for every one of them. Two things trip people up here. First, your own insurer is not on your side in a UM claim; it will evaluate your injuries exactly as an opposing insurer would, and you should treat it that way. Second, UM policies often contain their own notice and cooperation requirements with deadlines shorter than the statute of limitations, so the claim should be opened promptly. We explain the coverage in detail in what is uninsured motorist coverage and what happens if I was injured by someone who is uninsured or underinsured, and our FAQ on what to do when the driver has low policy limits covers the related underinsured motorist claim when a driver is found but carries only Oregon’s $25,000 minimum.

Finding the Driver Who Fled

More hit-and-run drivers are identified than most people expect, and the odds improve dramatically with fast action. Portland’s traffic cameras, TriMet bus and MAX cameras, business and residential doorbell cameras, and dash cams in nearby vehicles routinely capture the vehicle or its plate. Paint transfer and debris left at the scene can identify the make and model. Body shops are required to report suspicious repairs, and insurers flag claims for damage that does not match the policyholder’s story. The Portland Police Bureau’s traffic investigations unit follows these leads, and our attorneys run a parallel investigation, sending preservation letters to camera owners before footage is overwritten and canvassing the area for witnesses. Our article on the Portland Police Bureau’s crackdown on hit-and-run drivers describes how those cases come together.

When the driver is found, the case converts into an ordinary liability claim against that driver’s insurance, with the added leverage that fleeing the scene supports a claim for punitive damages and is often tied to drunk driving; see our Portland drunk driving accident lawyer page for how those claims work. Hit-and-run collisions disproportionately injure people outside a car, so our pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle accident pages address the specifics for each.

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Portland?

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The moments after a hit-and-run accident can feel overwhelming. You may be injured, scared, and angry at the other driver for running away from the accident scene. However, it is important to remain calm and protect yourself after the collision.

First, pull over in a safe location. Do not attempt to chase after the at-fault driver—this can be very dangerous.
Next, write down as much information about the at-fault driver as you can remember. His or her physical description, the make, model, and color of the car, a partial license plate number, and the direction he or she was traveling could help police identify the driver.
Once you record this information, call 911 as soon as possible and provide the dispatcher with a description of the driver. Wait for the police to arrive and speak to the responding officer about the collision.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible and save all records related to your treatment and your injuries. You should always go to the doctor after a car accident, even if you feel uninjured. You may have injuries you are not aware of at the time, and your medical records will be foundational evidence in your insurance claim.
If you are able to walk around the accident site safely and without further injury, document evidence at the scene. Take photographs of your injuries, vehicle damage, and any debris in the area.

Once you seek treatment for your injuries, contact one of our Portland hit and run accident lawyers as soon as possible to discuss your case. Do not speak to any insurance representatives before consulting with a lawyer about your accident. Your Portland attorney will evaluate your case and identify your optimal path forward.

How Long Do You Have to File a Hit-and-Run Injury Claim in Oregon?

Oregon’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, ORS 12.110, gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit, and that deadline remains in effect as of 2026. A hit-and-run case has two additional clocks. Your uninsured motorist claim is governed by your policy’s notice terms and by Oregon’s UM statute, which requires the claim to be formally asserted within two years, and the police investigation to identify the driver is most productive in the first days and weeks. Report the crash to police immediately, notify your own insurer that a hit-and-run occurred, and speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement. For a full breakdown of the criminal penalties a fleeing driver faces, see our article on Oregon hit and run accident laws, and for a step-by-step checklist, what to do after a hit and run accident in Portland.

Contact A Portland Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyer From DuBois Law Group – PDX Injury Law

Are you the victim of a hit-and-run accident in the city limits of Portland? If so, you need the right accident attorney on your side. The Portland injury lawyers at DuBois Law Group – PDX Injury Law can help you identify your optimal path to recovery and secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your next steps.