Auto Accident Injury in Oregon

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Oregon? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in OR that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Oregon

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, 489 individuals died in car accidents in the Beaver State in 2019. This number represents a slight increase in the number of traffic fatalities from the previous year when there were 446 traffic fatalities. Unfortunately, 41,073 individuals also suffered injuries in motor vehicle accidents that year, with nearly 28,000 sustaining serious ones.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, you must file a Traffic Accident and Insurance Report with the Department of Motor Vehicles within 72 hours if any of the following applies to your traffic accident:

• Someone dies in the accident
• Someone sustains an injury in the accident
• There is more than $2,500 in property damage
• Any vehicle requires towing from the accident scene

Failing to comply with this reporting requirement may result in a suspension of your driving privileges.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Traffic injuries and fatalities are expensive in the Beaver State. In 2018, the total cost of car accident fatalities was $640 million. This staggering figure includes $6 million in medical expenses and $634 million in lost work.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Oregon

Liability Laws for OR

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

When it comes to traffic accidents, Oregon is a fault-based jurisdiction, so the person who caused the accident is responsible for damages. Oregon also has a modified comparative negligence statute. This means you may be eligible for financial damages as long as you are no more than 51% to blame for the accident.

Statute of Limitations in OR

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. In Oregon, the statute of limitations depends on the nature of your claim. For an injury, you likely have two years to bring a legal cause of action. With property damage, you typically have six.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In Oregon

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in OR!

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