Auto Accident Injury in Portland, OR

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Portland? 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 and around Portland, OR that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Portland, 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 state of Oregon’s Department of Transportation  there were 50,099 total crashes across the state. 56% of those cases involved injuries. In Portland OR,  there were a total of 9,477 crashes, attributed to the two most common causes of accidents. Rear-endings, and driving into fixed objects. Authorities in Oregon say that failure to stop is the number one cause of accidents and recommend that all drivers come to a complete stop when indicated by traffic signs.

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.

The Portland Police Bureau states that traffic collisions will be investigated if there are serious injuries, potentially fatal accidents, or fatal accidents. In addition any accidents involving drivers under the influence, or hit and run accidents will be investigated by police. Oregon law states that any reports need to be filed within 72 hours of an accident. If you are not able to file within the 72 hours, submit it as soon as possible. If you fail to report the accident to the Portland Department of Motor Vehicles, it may result in 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

The average cost of an accident across the United States is $61,600 if that accident involves an injury. There are about 100 car accidents a day in the Portland Metro Area. Oregon’s accident rates rank fairly high when compared to other states making the expected cost of an accident involving an injury even more costly. According to the Center for Disease Controls Traffic Data $640 million were owed across the state for crashes involving fatalities in 2018.

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 Portland

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.

Oregon is a no-fault state, meaning, each driver’s insurance pays for their own medical bills no matter who causes a collision. Oregon drivers purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for that purpose. Drivers in no-fault states such as Oregon can’t sue other motorists as easily as drivers in so-called tort states, where fault matters.

Specifically, Oregon has modified comparative negligence laws. If you are 50% or more at fault, you can’t collect any damages from the other driver. If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can collect damages minus the percentage that you’re at fault. So if you’re 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of what you spent on damages after the crash. Specifically in Portland, information regarding your options in handling a traffic citation or accident are listed in their entirety on the reverse side of the driver’s copy of the citation. For those charged only with infractions as checked at the top of citation, the Portland Police Bureau provides a list of options for settlement.

Statute of Limitations in Portland

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.

The City of Portland’s Government Website states that you must file a claim with The City of Portland Risk Management within 180 days of the accident. You can find a copy of an accident that involved a police report by contacting the Portland Police Records Division. In Portland, you have less than one year to file any claim.

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 Near Portland, OR

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 Oregon!