Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Oregon

Q: I got side swiped by a car while riding my bike. Hit and run. Can I sue if we find the person? And for how much?

His mirror broke off on my hip and threw me off my bike. He or she didnt stop. I went to the hospital but nothing was broken. Just severely bruised.

2 Lawyer Answers
Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Portland, OR
  • Licensed in Oregon

A: Assuming the driver of the vehicle that hit you was at-fault for the accident, you can sue if you find the person within the statute of limitations with enough time to get a lawsuit filed. If the incident happened in Oregon, your case must be filed or settled within 2 years.

If you have auto insurance, you might want to check your policy to see if you have uninsured motorist coverage for this type of incident.

Mr. Michael O. Stevens agrees with this answer

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Hillsboro, OR
  • Licensed in Oregon

A: First, make sure to file a claim with your PIP, assuming you have auto insurance yourself (or someone in your household does). That will pay for the hospital trip, plus any future care such as physical therapy if you need it.

Then, assuming you have auto coverage yourself, you should also be able to file a claim for uninsured motorist coverage, as hit and runs are considered uninsured motorists.

As to how much, cannot say. Damages vary upon a wide variety of factors. The biggest factor typically revolves around how injured you are, which typical is addressed by how much medical care you seek. Lost income is the next large driver of value, along with pain and suffering/emotional distress.

Your best bet is to find a personal injury attorney in your area to discuss your case, as almost all do such consultations for free, so you have nothing to lose.

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