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Oregon Car Accident Lawyer
Fighting for Oregon injury victims — $4.5M, $1.2M, $1M+ recent recoveries
Proud Sponsors of the Oregon Ducks
& the Portland Trailblazers
Oregon Office: 6500 S Macadam Ave Suite 380, Portland, OR 97239 · Serving all of Oregon · Open 24/7 by phone · (971) 339-8080
Injured in an Oregon car crash? Call (971) 339-8080 or get your free consultation online. Available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Why Oregon Crash Victims Choose Goldberg & Loren
I spent the first two years of my career on the defense side, defending airlines and insurance companies in injury litigation. I learned every delay tactic, every lowball strategy, every trick in their playbook. In 1996, I walked away to fight for the people who actually need help.
Thirty years and over 20,000 cases later, I haven’t looked back. When an Oregon insurance adjuster offers you $5,000 for a herniated disc, I know exactly what they're doing, because I used to sit on their side of the table. Their first offer is never their best. It’s a test to see if you’ll fold.[3]
Here’s what makes our Oregon practice different:
- 20,000+ cases handled with a 98% success rate since 1994
- Over $500 million recovered for injured clients across three decades of practice
- George Goldberg and James Loren both actively practice across Oregon and handle every case personally
- Real Oregon results, including a $4.5 million pedestrian settlement, a $1.2 million wrongful death recovery, and a $1.025 million case where we forced an insurer to pay $750,000 above policy limits
- Defense-side experience. I know how insurers build cases against you because I used to build them
- No fee unless we win. Period. We front every cost and only get paid when you do
George Goldberg earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law and is admitted to the Oregon State Bar, along with 12 additional state bars across a 30-year career, beginning with the Florida Bar in 1994. He personally oversees case strategy for every Oregon client, bringing three decades of trial experience to crash victims throughout the state.[4]
George Goldberg spent two years defending insurance companies.
He's spent the last 30 years making them pay.
He learned every delay tactic, every lowball strategy, every trick in their playbook, then walked away to use it all for people like you. Over 20,000 cases. $500 million recovered. A 98% success rate. When an Oregon adjuster calls with a lowball offer, George already knows their next three moves, because he used to make them.
Get Your Free Case Review Call (971) 339-8080Recent Oregon Settlements and Verdicts
The fastest way to evaluate any car accident lawyer is to look at the results they've actually obtained for clients in your state. Here are four recent Oregon recoveries from our firm. Every case is different, but these results show what's possible when an experienced trial team takes on a serious crash claim.
Our client was lawfully walking on the sidewalk when she was struck and run over by a driver exiting a private driveway. Our firm secured $4.5 million in compensation for catastrophic injuries that required pelvic surgery, left shoulder surgery, and spinal surgery.
A man was killed in a head-on collision when an oncoming driver crossed the center line. We proved fault by securing ring-camera footage from a nearby home that showed the decedent was in his proper lane of travel at the moment of impact.
An 8-year-old boy was severely injured when a commercial vehicle rear-ended his family's car. We pursued the company aggressively and forced the insurer to pay $750,000 above the available policy limits.
A woman was seriously injured by a drunk driver in Portland. Beyond the driver's policy, we pursued the bar that had served alcohol to the patron after he was visibly intoxicated, recovering compensation under Oregon’s dram shop law (ORS 471.565).
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is decided on its own facts. Request a free case review to find out what your Oregon claim may be worth.
Meet Our Oregon Attorneys
Two founding partners. Sixty years of combined courtroom experience. We don’t hand cases off to junior associates. The partners who built this firm work the cases themselves.
- Oregon State Bar and 12 additional state bars
- J.D. magna cum laude, University of Miami School of Law
- Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished Rating · Client Champion Gold
- 30+ years · 20,000+ cases · 98% success rate
Started his career defending airlines and insurance companies. Walked away in 1996 to use that defense-side experience to fight for injury victims.
Read George's full bio →
- Oregon State Bar and 7 additional state bars
- J.D., Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
- 50+ trials to verdict across the country
- $500M+ in client recoveries · Fluent in Russian
The firm's most senior trial lawyer. Federal court admissions in eight states make him a defendant's worst-case scenario at trial.
Read James's full bio →Oregon Car Accident Statistics
The Oregon Department of Transportation tracks every reported crash in the state. The most recent complete data set, published in the 2022 Oregon Traffic Crashes Annual Report, tells you exactly what an injury claimant is up against.[1]
Key findings from ODOT 2022:
- 50,427 reported crashes on Oregon roadways
- 26,446 people injured across the state
- 601 traffic fatalities, the highest annual total in two decades
- ~138 crashes per day, more than five every hour
- Drunk driving, distracted driving, and speed account for the majority of fatal crashes nationwide[5]
NHTSA estimates the average economic cost of a car crash injury at $80,700, and a fatal crash at $1.778 million.[6] Insurance companies know these numbers. They also know that most crash victims don’t.
What Is Your Oregon Car Accident Case Worth?
In my 30 years of practice, I have never seen an insurance company's first offer be their best. They start low to see if you’ll fold. The real question isn’t what the adjuster offers. It’s what the evidence supports.
Settlement ranges by injury severity in Oregon:
| Injury Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Property damage only | ~$5,250 |
| Possible injury (soft tissue) | ~$19,300 |
| Evident injury (fractures, whiplash) | ~$71,400 |
| Disabling injury (TBI, spinal cord) | ~$280,700 |
| Severe / catastrophic (paralysis, amputation) | $675,700 to $979,300 |
| Fatal crash (wrongful death) | ~$1,606,600 |
Source: NHTSA Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes (Pub. 813403, 2019 data) and Goldberg & Loren Oregon case results.[6]
The attorney difference: A Nolo survey of more than 5,800 claimants found that those who hired attorneys received an average of $77,600, compared to just $17,600 for those who handled claims alone. That’s a 4.4x difference.[3] The Insurance Research Council confirmed the same pattern in its own study, finding that claimants with legal representation received settlements 3.5x higher than those who negotiated on their own.[8]
What to Do After an Oregon Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide
After 20,000 cases, I can tell you the biggest mistakes happen in the first 72 hours. Here’s exactly what to do, and what not to do.
- Call 911 and get medical attention. Even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks injuries. Some injuries (traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding) don’t show symptoms for hours or days.
- Document everything at the scene. Photograph vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and your injuries. Get names and numbers of every witness.
- File your Oregon Traffic & Insurance Report within 72 hours. Oregon law (ORS 811.720) requires you to report to the DMV if vehicle damage exceeds $2,500, anyone is injured, or property damage exceeds $2,500. As of May 2025, you can file online at DMV2U.oregon.gov if you have an Oregon license.[2]
- Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. You are not legally required to. Their adjusters are trained to get you to say something that reduces your claim. I know. I used to train them.
- Do NOT sign a medical records release from the other driver's insurer. They’ll use your entire medical history to argue your injuries pre-existed the crash.
- Preserve any digital evidence. Ring-camera footage, dashcams, and surveillance video are often overwritten within days. We obtained ring-camera footage in a Lebanon wrongful death case that proved our client was in his proper lane, which led to a $1.2 million recovery.
- Call an Oregon car accident lawyer immediately. The insurance company has a team working against you from day one. You need someone working for you. Our consultation is free: (971) 339-8080.
Why You Should Never Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
This is the single biggest trap I see Oregon car accident victims fall into, and it’s one I know intimately, because I used to be the person on the other end of that phone call.
When I worked defense, I watched adjusters use recorded statements to destroy claims worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The adjuster calls you within 24 to 48 hours of the crash, when you're still in pain, still shaken up, possibly still on medication. They sound friendly. They tell you the statement is "just routine" and will "help speed up your claim." None of that is true. What they're doing is building a file to use against you.
Here’s how it works. They’ll ask you to describe your injuries. Two days after a crash, you might say "my neck hurts but it’s not that bad." Six weeks later, an MRI reveals two herniated discs requiring surgery. The adjuster now has you on tape saying your injuries weren't serious. They’ll ask about the accident itself: "Did you see the other car before impact?" If you say yes, they’ll argue you had time to avoid the collision and are partially at fault. Under Oregon’s modified comparative negligence rule (ORS 31.600), even a 20% fault assignment reduces your payout by 20%.[7]
You are under no legal obligation to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. Not in Oregon, not anywhere. When you hire Goldberg & Loren, we handle every communication with every insurer involved in your claim. We decide what information gets shared, when, and in what form. In 30 years and 20,000 cases, I have never seen a recorded statement help a client. Not once. If the adjuster is calling you, call us first: (971) 339-8080.
Oregon Car Accident Laws You Need to Know
Statute of Limitations: 2 Years
Under ORS 12.110, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Oregon. Miss this deadline and your claim is permanently barred. No exceptions.[2]
Critical exception: If a government employee or agency caused your crash (a TriMet bus, a city vehicle, a state highway defect), you may have only 180 days to file a tort claim notice under ORS 30.275. Do not wait.
Modified Comparative Negligence
Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were less than 51% responsible. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.[7]
Example: You're rear-ended at a stoplight but weren't wearing a seatbelt. The jury assigns you 20% fault. Your $100,000 award becomes $80,000. Insurance companies love to inflate your fault percentage. That’s why you need an attorney who knows how to push back.
Oregon Is an At-Fault State
Oregon operates under a "tort" system. The driver who caused the crash, or their insurer, pays for your injuries. This is different from no-fault states where you file against your own insurance first.
Oregon’s Dram Shop Law
Under ORS 471.565, a bar, restaurant, or social host that serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person can be held liable for the harm that person causes. This is how we recovered $680,000 in a 2023 Portland case where the at-fault driver carried minimum insurance: we pursued the bar that had over-served him and reached the establishment's commercial liability policy.
Oregon Minimum Insurance Requirements
Under ORS 806.070, every Oregon driver must carry:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per crash
- Property damage liability: $20,000 per crash
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $15,000 per person
- Uninsured motorist (UM): $25,000 per person / $50,000 per crash
These minimums are often insufficient for serious injuries. If the at-fault driver carries only the minimum $25,000 in bodily injury coverage and you have a $150,000 surgery, your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, which is required in all Oregon policies unless waived in writing, kicks in to cover the gap.
Oregon Key Statutes: Quick Reference
Below is a consolidated reference table of every Oregon statute relevant to your car accident claim:
| ORS Number | Topic | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| ORS 12.110 | Statute of Limitations | 2 years from date of accident to file personal injury lawsuit |
| ORS 31.600 | Comparative Negligence | Recovery allowed if less than 51% at fault; award reduced by fault percentage |
| ORS 31.730 | Punitive Damages | Awarded for intentional, malicious, or outrageously reckless conduct |
| ORS 471.565 | Dram Shop Liability | Bars and restaurants liable for serving visibly intoxicated patrons who cause crashes |
| ORS 806.070 | Minimum Insurance | $25K/$50K bodily injury, $20K property damage, $15K PIP, $25K/$50K UM |
| ORS 811.720 | Crash Reporting (Driver) | Must report to DMV within 72 hours if damage exceeds $2,500 or anyone injured |
| ORS 811.725 | Crash Reporting (Insurer) | Insurer must also file a separate report with the DMV |
| ORS 30.275 | Government Tort Claims | 180-day notice deadline for claims against government entities |
Table of Contents
Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries?
Determining liability is where my defense-side experience becomes your biggest advantage. Insurance companies don’t just evaluate fault. They engineer it. They'll twist the evidence to make you look partially responsible so they can reduce your payout under Oregon’s modified comparative negligence rule.
Potentially liable parties in an Oregon car accident include:
- The other driver, for speeding, distracted driving, impairment, or running a signal
- The driver’s employer, if they were on the job (vicarious liability)
- Vehicle owner, for negligent entrustment if they lent the car to someone unfit to drive
- Bar or restaurant, under Oregon’s dram shop law (ORS 471.565), if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused a crash
- Rideshare companies, Uber and Lyft, which carry $1 million policies when drivers are actively transporting passengers
- Government agencies, for dangerous road design, missing signage, or poor maintenance
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers, for defective brakes, tires, or airbags
- Trucking companies, for FMCSA violations, driver fatigue, or overloaded cargo
One of our 2023 Portland recoveries shows exactly how this works. A drunk driver had only minimum insurance, but our investigation traced his blood alcohol back to a single bar that had served him long after he was visibly intoxicated. Under ORS 471.565, the bar's commercial liability policy became reachable, and we recovered $680,000 for our client. The driver who hit you is not always the only party responsible, and the first insurance policy you find is rarely the last.
Types of Damages You Can Recover in Oregon
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover your verifiable financial losses:
- Medical bills (ER, surgery, hospitalization, diagnostics)
- Future medical expenses (follow-up care, physical therapy, medical devices)
- Lost wages and income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage (vehicle repair or replacement)
- Rehabilitation and nursing care costs
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that don’t have a receipt:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement and scarring
Oregon’s non-economic damages cap: Oregon previously capped non-economic damages at $500,000, but courts have ruled this cap unconstitutional as applied to plaintiffs who survive their injuries. This means your pain and suffering claim may not be limited to $500K, a critical detail most car accident pages won't tell you.
Punitive Damages
Under ORS 31.730, punitive damages may be awarded when the defendant acted intentionally, maliciously, or with outrageous disregard for safety, such as street racing or extreme DUI. These are rare but powerful when applicable.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Oregon
We handle every kind of Oregon collision. The legal angles vary by crash type, and so does what it takes to win:
Rear-End Collisions
The most common collision type in Oregon, especially during stop-and-go traffic on I-5, I-84, and I-205. Rear-end crashes frequently cause whiplash, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries, injuries that insurers routinely downplay as "soft tissue." We fight to document the full extent of your injuries and recover what your case is actually worth. Our $1.025 million Portland rear-end recovery, where we forced the insurer to pay $750,000 above policy limits, shows what's possible when the evidence is properly developed.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes are among the deadliest because the combined speed of both vehicles multiplies the force of impact. They often occur on rural Oregon highways and from wrong-way drivers on I-5 and I-84. Injuries frequently include spinal cord damage, severe TBI, and fatalities. We secured $1.2 million in a 2023 Lebanon wrongful death case after we obtained ring-camera footage proving our client was in his proper lane.
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Crashes
Side-impact collisions typically happen at intersections when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield. These collisions cause broken ribs, spleen and liver damage, hip fractures, and head injuries because the side of a vehicle offers far less protection than the front or rear.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes
Pedestrians and cyclists have no structural protection in a collision with a motor vehicle. We secured $4.5 million for an Oregon client who was run over while lawfully walking on the sidewalk. Pedestrian and bike cases often involve severe orthopedic injuries (pelvic fractures, shoulder damage, spinal trauma) and require coordinated work with surgical specialists to fully document the harm.
Drunk Driving Crashes
Drunk driving collisions still cause devastating injuries across Oregon. These cases often allow us to pursue punitive damages under ORS 31.730 and dram shop claims against bars that over-served the driver, as we did in our 2023 Portland $680,000 case.
Truck Accidents
Oregon truck accidents involve commercial vehicles governed by federal FMCSA regulations. I-5, I-84, and I-205 carry heavy freight traffic through the state, and collisions with 18-wheelers cause catastrophic injuries. We investigate hours-of-service violations, maintenance records, and cargo loading to build claims against trucking companies and their insurers.
Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycle accidents result in some of the most severe injuries we see: road rash, compound fractures, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries. Riders have no structural protection, so even low-speed collisions cause serious harm. Insurance companies frequently try to blame the motorcyclist. We push back with evidence of the other driver’s negligence.
Hit-and-Run and Uninsured Driver Crashes
When the at-fault driver flees the scene or carries no insurance, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage becomes your primary source of compensation. We help gather surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence to build your UM claim and, when possible, identify the fleeing driver.
Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare claims require navigating multiple insurance policies: the driver’s personal policy, the rideshare company's $1 million commercial policy, and potentially your own coverage. Which policy applies depends on whether the driver was logged into the app, waiting for a ride, or actively transporting a passenger. We handle the policy navigation so you get maximum recovery.
Injuries We Fight to Compensate
Every injury is different, and how it affects your life drives the value of your claim. We handle cases involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including "mild" concussions that can cause cognitive issues lasting months or years
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis, life-changing injuries requiring long-term care
- Fractures and broken bones, from hairline fractures to compound breaks requiring surgery
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries, commonly dismissed by insurers but genuinely debilitating
- Back and neck injuries, herniated discs, bulging discs, nerve compression
- Burns and disfigurement, from post-crash fires or friction burns
- Amputations, traumatic or surgical, requiring prosthetics and rehabilitation
- Internal organ damage, liver, spleen, kidney injuries from blunt force trauma
- PTSD and emotional trauma, real injuries that deserve real compensation
How We Build Your Case: Our Investigation Process
When you call our office, you don’t get a call center. You get me or my team. We take your case personally, and I'm involved in nearly every Oregon case we handle. That's not typical for a firm with our reach, and that's exactly the point.
Here's how we build a winning claim:
- Immediate investigation. We can dispatch investigators to the crash scene to photograph evidence, document road conditions, and identify surveillance cameras before footage is overwritten.
- Evidence collection. Police reports, witness statements, cell phone records, dashcam footage, vehicle computer logs (EDR/black box data), and maintenance records.
- Expert reconstruction. For complex cases, we work with accident reconstruction experts who use physics and engineering to prove exactly how the crash happened.
- Medical documentation. We coordinate with your medical team to fully document the extent of your injuries and project future treatment costs.
- Damage calculation. We calculate every penny: past medical bills, future care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
- Aggressive negotiation. Armed with evidence, we send a detailed demand package to the insurer. We don’t accept lowball offers.
- Trial preparation. 98% of our cases settle, but the insurance company needs to know we'll take them to trial if they won't pay fair value. James Loren has a track record of multi-million dollar verdicts.
A man was killed in a head-on collision in Lebanon, Oregon, when an oncoming vehicle crossed the center line. The defense argued our client may have drifted across the line first. We canvassed the scene for digital evidence and located a residential ring camera that had captured the moments leading up to impact. The footage showed our client squarely in his proper lane of travel. With the video in evidence, the case settled for $1.2 million. Securing that footage within days of the crash, before it was overwritten, was decisive.
Insurance Company Tactics I've Seen From the Inside
I know how insurance companies fight injury claims because I used to help them do it. Here are the tactics they'll use against you, and how we counter each one:
- "We need a recorded statement." They don’t need one. Anything you say will be twisted to reduce your claim. We handle all communication.
- "Sign this medical release." They want your entire medical history so they can claim your injuries pre-existed the crash. We provide only relevant records.
- "Here's our best and final offer." It almost never is. In 30 years, I've seen first offers that were 10% of what we eventually recovered.
- "You waited too long to see a doctor." They'll argue gaps in treatment mean your injuries aren't serious. We make sure your medical timeline is airtight.
- "You were partially at fault." Oregon’s comparative negligence rule means they can reduce your payout by inflating your fault percentage. We push back with evidence.
- Delay, delay, delay. They know the longer they wait, the tighter your budget gets and the more likely you are to accept a low offer. We have the resources to outlast them.
Oregon DMV Accident Reporting Requirements
Oregon law requires you to file an Oregon Traffic & Insurance Report with the DMV within 72 hours if:[2]
- Vehicle damage exceeds $2,500 (even single-vehicle)
- Anyone is injured or killed
- Property damage (non-vehicle) exceeds $2,500
How to file:
- Online: DMV2U.oregon.gov (Oregon license holders)
- Email: OregonDMVAccidents@odot.oregon.gov
- Fax: 503-945-5267
- Mail: DMV Crash Reporting Unit, 1905 Lana Ave NE, Salem, OR 97314
Failure to report can result in DMV suspension. File your own report even if police filed one. These are separate requirements under ORS 811.720 and ORS 811.725.
7 Mistakes That Destroy Oregon Car Accident Claims
- Waiting to see a doctor. Insurance adjusters will argue that if you weren't hurt badly enough to go to the ER, you weren't hurt badly enough to deserve compensation.
- Posting on social media. That photo of you smiling at a family dinner? They'll use it to argue your injuries aren't that serious.
- Accepting the first offer. First offers are calculated to save the insurer money, not to make you whole.
- Giving a recorded statement without an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask leading questions. One wrong answer can tank your claim.
- Missing the 72-hour DMV reporting deadline. This can lead to license suspension and weaken your case.
- Not carrying adequate UM/UIM coverage. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own policy is your safety net.
- Waiting too long to file suit. Oregon’s 2-year statute of limitations is firm. Government claims have even shorter deadlines (180 days).
Don’t let an insurance company decide what your injuries are worth. Call George Goldberg at (971) 339-8080 for a free case review. We've recovered over $500 million for injured clients, and we can fight for you too.
What Our Oregon Clients Say About Us
Our Oregon practice is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars with 475 Google reviews. Here's what recent clients have to say:
"I had a great experience working with this law firm. Sam and Emilio were professional, supportive, and kept me informed throughout the entire process. They fought hard for my case and were able to get me a settlement much higher than I expected."
Sara A. — Google Review, March 2026
"Excellent attorney. She helped me with my car accident case and explained everything step by step. She was always professional, responsive, and clear. Thanks to her support, the process was much smoother and the outcome was great. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs legal help."
Edgar A. — Google Review, March 2026
Areas We Serve in Oregon
Our Oregon office at 6500 S Macadam Ave Suite 380 in Portland serves accident victims throughout the entire state. Crashes happen across Oregon — Portland metro, the Willamette Valley, the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, Southern Oregon. We handle them all.
Cities we serve across Oregon:
- Portland
- Hillsboro
- Beaverton
- Gresham
- Eugene
- Salem
- Medford
- Bend
- Corvallis
- Springfield
- Albany
- Tigard, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, West Linn, Milwaukie, Clackamas
We represent clients in every major Oregon county, including Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Lane, Marion, Jackson, and Deschutes. No matter where in Oregon your accident occurred, we handle cases in every court in the state. Call (971) 339-8080 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Oregon?
You have two years from the date of the accident under ORS 12.110. If a government entity is involved, you may have as little as 180 days to file a tort claim notice under ORS 30.275. Missing these deadlines permanently bars your claim. We recommend contacting an attorney within days, not months, of your accident so evidence can be preserved.[2]
How much does it cost to hire a Goldberg & Loren car accident lawyer in Oregon?
It costs you nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, where our fee is 33% to 44% of the recovery, depending on case complexity. We front all litigation costs and only get paid when you do. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
What is the average car accident settlement in Oregon?
Settlement amounts vary dramatically by injury severity. Property-damage-only claims average around $5,250, while disabling injuries average $280,700 and fatal crashes average $1,606,600.[6] Catastrophic injury settlements can reach into the millions, as in our $4.5 million Bonanza pedestrian recovery. And the gap is huge: claimants who hire attorneys recover 3.5 to 4.4 times more than those who don’t, $77,600 vs. $17,600 on average.[3][8]
Can I still recover money if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes. Oregon’s modified comparative negligence rule allows you to recover compensation as long as you were less than 51% at fault. Your award is reduced by your fault percentage. Insurance companies routinely try to inflate your fault to reduce payouts, and that's exactly why you need an attorney.[7]
What if the other driver was uninsured, underinsured, or fled the scene?
Oregon requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage at $25,000/$50,000 minimum. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, insufficient coverage, or fled the scene, your own UM/UIM policy covers your injuries. When filing a UM claim, your own insurance company acts as the opposing party, so having an attorney becomes even more important.
Can I sue a bar that served alcohol to the driver who hit me?
Yes, under Oregon’s dram shop law (ORS 471.565). A bar, restaurant, or social host that serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person can be held liable for the harm that person causes. We've used this statute to reach commercial liability policies far larger than the at-fault driver’s personal insurance, including a $680,000 recovery for a Portland client whose driver carried only minimum coverage.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
No. In my 30 years of practice, I have never seen a recorded statement help a client’s case. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize your claim. Let your attorney handle all communication. You are under no legal obligation to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Call us at (971) 339-8080 and we'll handle every conversation for you.
How long will my Oregon car accident case take?
Most of our cases resolve in under 12 months from claim to settlement. The timeline depends on your medical treatment. We don’t settle until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement so we can calculate your full damages. If the case goes to trial, it can take 18 to 24 months. 98% of our cases never see a courtroom.
What if my injuries get worse months after the accident?
Don’t settle early. Once you sign a release, you cannot reopen the claim no matter how much your condition deteriorates. Some injuries (whiplash, herniated discs, traumatic brain injuries) take weeks or months to fully manifest. We coordinate with your medical team to wait until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement before negotiating your final settlement.
Sources
[1] Oregon Department of Transportation, 2022 Oregon Traffic Crashes Annual Report. 50,427 reported crashes, 26,446 injuries, 601 fatalities. oregon.gov/odot
[2] Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 12.110 (Statute of Limitations), ORS 811.720 / 811.725 (Crash Reporting), ORS 30.275 (Government Tort Claims). oregonlegislature.gov
[3] Nolo, How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth? Survey of 5,800+ claimants showing average recovery with attorney $77,600 vs. $17,600 without. nolo.com
[4] Oregon State Bar, Attorney Directory — George Goldberg. osbar.org
[5] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts 2022. 42,795 motor vehicle traffic deaths nationwide. crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov
[6] NHTSA, The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2019 (Publication DOT HS 813 403, February 2023). Table 1-2: Summary of Unit Costs per Police-Reported and Unreported Crash, by MAIS injury severity (2019 dollars). crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov
[7] Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 31.600 (Comparative Negligence). oregonlegislature.gov
[8] Insurance Research Council, Attorney Involvement in Auto Injury Claims. Claimants with attorneys received settlements 3.5x higher than those without legal representation. insurance-research.org
Related Pages
- Oregon Personal Injury Lawyers
- Portland Car Accident Attorneys
- Hillsboro Personal Injury Lawyer
- Beaverton Personal Injury Lawyer
- Portland Truck Accident Attorneys
- Portland Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Portland Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
- Portland Wrongful Death Attorneys
- 15 Most Dangerous Intersections in Portland
- Oregon Alcohol-Related Crash Statistics
- What to Do After an Oregon Auto Accident
- What If I Was Partly at Fault?
- Do You Need a Lawyer After an Oregon Car Accident?
Senior Partner, Goldberg & Loren | Serving clients since 1994 | J.D. magna cum laude, University of Miami School of Law | Admitted in 13 jurisdictions including Florida (1994) | 30+ years, 20,000+ cases, 98% success rate
Last updated: May 14, 2026
I spent two years defending insurance companies before I switched sides in 1996. I know every tactic they use to minimize Oregon injury claims — and how to push back.
Have Questions About Your Case? Call Us Today: