According to reporting from Fox 19 Now, an Oregon man was recently arrested after a major hit-and-run crash injured three pedestrians just outside of the Portland State University Urban Center. A witness at the scene of the pedestrian collision indicated that he saw the man driving a blue SUV traveling at a high rate of speed in the in the public transit lanes. The blue SUV then jumped the curb, injuring three pedestrians who were standing on and around the sidewalk. The three victims were hospitalized, with at least one of them sustaining very serious injuries.
Following a pedestrian collision, drivers have a legal obligation to stop their vehicle, render any necessary medical aid, and remain at the scene of the crash. Unfortunately, that does not always occur. Pedestrian hit-and-run accidents are a serious problem. Here, our experienced Portland pedestrian injury attorney explains what you need to do if you or your family member was the victim of a pedestrian hit-and-run accident in Oregon.
Four Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Accident
- Get Emergency Medical Attention
Emergency medical needs always come first. If you or anyone else at the scene of the accident requires immediate medical care, you should do your best to get professional help. A pedestrian who has sustained serious injuries should accept the ambulance ride to the nearest hospital. If you believe that your injuries were minor or moderate, you still need to get yourself evaluated.
- Make Sure that Accident is Reported to Police
Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents should always be reported to state or local law enforcement authorities. As was the case in this most recent accident in Downtown Portland, police officers may be able to track down the driver who caused the crash. It will always be better for you if the negligent driver can be identified.
- Report the Crash to Your Own Insurance Company
Unfortunately, not all hit-and-run drivers are identified. For this reason, you should report that accident to your own insurance carrier. You may be entitled to recover some compensation from your own insurance policy in the event that you were injured by a hit-and-run driver or an uninsured motorist.
- Get Professional Legal Assistance
Hit-and-run pedestrian accident claims are among the most complex type of personal injury cases. With these claims, you should go through the legal process all alone. You need to get an experienced Portland pedestrian accident attorney by your side as soon as possible. Your advocate will be able to review your case and help you explore every potential path for full and fair financial compensation.
Contact Our Portland, OR Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
At Johnston Law Firm, P.C., our Portland personal injury lawyer Marc A. Johnston has extensive experience handling complex pedestrian accident claims. If you or a family member was hurt in a pedestrian collision in Multnomah County, we are standing by, ready to offer legal support. For a free, fully private initial consultation, please call our law office today at (503) 546-3167.