Yes, you should contact your auto insurer to make a claim through either your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage for the injuries you sustained on your bicycle.

As you are aware every motorist in Oregon has on their insurance policy PIP coverages. PIP coverages can be "stacked," meaning that when more than one policy is applicable the benefits accumulate for the benefit of the claimant.

The Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) contain certain statutory minimums for PIP coverage which include up to $15,000.00 for medical expenses and lost earnings coverage of 70% of your wages up to the maximum of $1,250 per month for one year. PIP is no-fault, in that an injured party may make a claim against the policy regardless of who was at fault in the accident.

Oregon bicyclists who are also car owners pay for insurance coverage on their motor vehicles that also covers them when they are riding bicycles. You need to be aware that their automobile insurance also covers them as bicyclists and pedestrians, not just when they are operating an automobile.

If you have coverage under an Oregon insurance policy you should also be protected by our Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. According to the OR Insurance Division uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage pays medical, rehabilitation, and funeral expenses, loss of earnings, and other damages if you or your family are involved in a vehicle, bicycle, or pedes­trian accident caused by an uninsured motorist or a hit-and-run driver.

So UM should apply in your hit and run situation as long as you comply with the requirements of your policy and applicable state statutes. From the best of our knowledge UM coverages should cover you even in a phantom vehicle situation, (no contact with the car). Speak with your insurance agent about your coverages that carry over and cover you when you are biking or even walking as a pedestrian and which to use in your current situation to place your claim.