Hit and Run Accidents
Without warning, a violent car impact can shatter your reality. In the aftermath of a devastating crash where the driver responsible has left you at the scene, confusion gives way to questions. Hit and run car accidents in Eugene can bring painful injuries, mounting medical bills, missed work, emotional trauma, and the unsettling feeling that the person responsible simply vanished.
For victims and their families, the mystery can become part of the devastation. Finding answers through the help of a skilled car accident attorney can be the first step toward moving forward. At Parke Gordon Law, our team has extensive experience seeking justice for victims of serious negligence and will fight hard for compensation that truly reflects your injuries.
What Should You Do After a Hit and Run?
After seeking medical attention, you should speak to legal counsel. When the driver who injured you cannot immediately be identified, you need more than an insurance claim. Our hit-and-run lawyers in Eugene can investigate the collision, pursue available evidence, identify potential witnesses, obtain relevant records and video, communicate with insurance companies, and evaluate the compensation available for your injuries.
A dedicated attorney with experience handling hit and run cases can also examine whether uninsured motorist coverage or other sources of recovery may apply. The sooner you begin investigating, the more opportunity there may be to preserve evidence and determine what happened. You have two years from the time of your accident to file a claim pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes § 12.110. The sooner you begin investigating, the more opportunity there may be to preserve evidence and build a strong claim.
Understanding Oregon’s Comparative Fault System
The state follows a comparative fault system that can affect how much you recover from a personal injury claim. Under Or. Rev. Stat. § 31.600, your own fault does not automatically prevent you from recovering damages, but the amount awarded can be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. The statute directs the factfinder to compare your fault with the fault of other parties whose conduct contributed to the injury.
This means that disputes over how an accident happened, who contributed to your injuries, and the extent of each party’s responsibility can directly affect your recovery. Our hit-and-run injury attorneys in Eugene can investigate the circumstances of your accident, gather supporting evidence, and present the facts concerning liability and comparative fault.
