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Portland Car Accident Lawyer
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Portland car accident claims in 30 seconds: In 2025, 39 people died in Portland traffic crashes, a 38% drop from the 4-year average, but every one of them left a family fighting for answers.[1]
Oregon's 2-year statute of limitations means the clock is ticking on your claim.[2]
Claimants who hire attorneys recover an average of $77,600, which is more than 4x what unrepresented victims receive.[3]
The Insurance Research Council found represented claimants receive 3.5x more than those without counsel.[8]
George Goldberg has handled over 20,000 injury cases since 1994 with a 98% success rate. Call (971) 339-8080 for a free case review. You pay nothing unless we win.
Injured in a Portland car crash? Call (971) 339-8080 or get your free consultation online. Available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Why Portland 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 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 Portland office different:
- 20,000+ cases handled with a 98% success rate since 1994
- Over $500 million recovered for injured clients across 21 offices in 16 states
- Licensed in Oregon. George Goldberg (OR Bar) and James Loren both actively practice in Portland
- Proud sponsors of the Oregon Ducks and Portland Trail Blazers. We're invested in this community
- 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 practice in 12 jurisdictions including Oregon, Florida, New York, and Illinois.
He personally oversees case strategy across all 21 offices, ensuring every Portland client benefits from three decades of fighting insurance companies.[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 the adjuster calls with a lowball offer, George already knows their next three moves. He used to make them.
Get Your Free Case Review Call (971) 339-8080Portland Car Accident Statistics: 2025 Report
Portland's traffic safety picture is improving, but the numbers still tell a sobering story. The City of Portland released its 2025 Deadly Traffic Crash Report on March 5, 2026, and the data matters for anyone filing an injury claim.[1]
Key findings from the 2025 report:
- 39 people killed in traffic crashes in 2025, the lowest since 2018 (35 deaths)
- 38% decrease from the average of the previous four years (2021-2024)
- East Portland deaths fell 56%, from an average of 25 per year to just 11 in 2025
- Motor vehicle occupant deaths: 8, down 64% from 2024 and the lowest since 2014
- 51% of all deaths were pedestrians, the third straight year of declining pedestrian fatalities
- 33% of victims were age 65+, more than double the percentage in prior years
- Zero DUII-related deaths during peak holiday periods
What the 2024 data adds: The 2024 report documented 58 fatalities, down from the record 69 in 2023.[5] Of those, 48% involved speeding, 71% occurred on the High Crash Network (just 8% of Portland's streets), and 83% happened at night.
If you were hit on one of these corridors, the city's own data supports your claim that these roads are known hazards. For a deeper look at the fatality trend, see our analysis of Portland's deadly 2023 traffic fatalities.
Portland's Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections
After handling thousands of Oregon car accident cases, I can tell you that certain Portland corridors account for a vastly disproportionate share of serious crashes. The city's High Crash Network identifies the worst.
If your accident happened on one of these roads, that's evidence in your favor. Our full guide covers the 15 most dangerous intersections in Portland.
Deadliest highways (2021 collision data):
- Interstate 84: 83 total crashes
- Interstate 205: 69 total crashes
- Interstate 5: 67 total crashes, running north-south through the city with heavy congestion
- Highway 26: 54 total crashes
Most dangerous intersections:
- SE 122nd Ave. & Stark St.
- SE 122nd Ave. & Division St.
- SE 82nd Ave. & Powell Blvd.
- SE 148th Ave. & Stark St.
- SE 148th Ave. & Powell Blvd.
- NE 82nd Ave. & Glisan St.
- SE Foster Rd. / 96th Ave. / I-205 NB ramp
- NE 99th Ave. & Glisan St.
- SE 92nd Ave. & Holgate Blvd.
- SE 122nd Ave. & Powell Blvd.
Good news from 2025: There were zero deadly crashes on SE 82nd Avenue (one of Portland's historically most dangerous corridors) after PBOT installed median islands, flashing beacons, marked crosswalks, and signage.[1]
That infrastructure improvement is exactly the kind of evidence we use to prove the city knew a road was dangerous.
What Is Your Portland Car Accident Case Worth?
In my 30 years of practice, I've 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 | ~$5,700 |
| Possible injury (soft tissue) | ~$24,000 |
| Evident injury (fractures, whiplash) | ~$40,000 |
| Disabling injury (TBI, spinal cord) | ~$155,000 |
| Severe/catastrophic (paralysis, amputation) | $100,000 – $1,000,000+ |
| Fatal crash (wrongful death) | ~$1,778,000 |
Source: NHTSA economic crash cost estimates and Oregon ODOT crash data[6]
The attorney difference: A Nolo survey of over 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 this pattern in its own study, finding that claimants with legal representation received settlements 3.5x higher than those who negotiated on their own.[8]
Not sure if you need a lawyer after a Portland car accident? The data speaks for itself.
Our Recent Portland Verdicts and Settlements
- $4,500,000 for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle (May 2025)
- $1,200,000 for a distracted driver collision (January 2024)
- $900,000 for an Uber driver accident (February 2024)
- $655,000 for a drunk driver crash with limited insurance, where we pursued the bar owner (March 2024)
How We Turned a $25K Policy Into a $655K Recovery
One case from early 2024 illustrates exactly why the attorney you choose matters more than the insurance policy limits you're up against.
A client came to us after being struck by a drunk driver late on a Friday evening near the SE Division Street corridor. The impact was severe. Our client suffered a fractured pelvis, two herniated discs, and a torn rotator cuff that required surgical repair.
The other driver's blood alcohol was nearly twice the legal limit. But here was the problem: that driver carried only Oregon's minimum $25,000 in bodily injury coverage. With over $180,000 in medical bills alone, the policy was a drop in the bucket.
Most firms would have collected the $25,000, filed a UIM claim against our client's own policy, and moved on. We didn't. Our investigation revealed that the drunk driver had been served at a nearby bar for over four hours that evening, well past the point of visible intoxication.
Under Oregon's dram shop law (ORS 471.565), a bar that serves a visibly intoxicated person can be held liable for the harm that person causes. We subpoenaed the bar's security footage, credit card receipts, and server logs. The evidence was overwhelming.
We pursued the bar owner's commercial liability policy and negotiated a combined settlement of $655,000, more than 26 times the drunk driver's policy limit.
Our client was able to cover every medical bill, replace 14 months of lost income, and receive meaningful compensation for the pain and permanent limitations the crash left behind.
That's what 20,000 cases of experience teaches you: the driver who hit you is not always the only party responsible, and the first insurance policy you find is rarely the last.
For more on Portland's alcohol-related crash statistics and how dram shop claims work, see our detailed guide.
What to Do After a Portland 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. We also have a comprehensive guide on what to do after a Portland auto accident.
- 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 witnesses.
- 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, because 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.
- Call a Portland 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 Portland 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 24-48 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.
Then they'll ask about the accident itself, with questions like "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]
Learn more about how long after a Portland car accident you can file a lawsuit.
Critical exception: If a government employee or agency caused your crash (TriMet bus, city vehicle, state highway defect), you may have only 180 days to file a tort claim notice. 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, which is why you need an attorney who knows how to push back. Our guide on what happens if you're partly at fault in a Portland accident explains your options in detail.
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 Minimum Insurance Requirements
Under ORS 806.010, 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 (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 Portland 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 31.370 | Punitive Damages | Awarded for intentional, malicious, or outrageously reckless conduct |
| ORS 471.565 | Dram Shop Liability | Bars/restaurants liable for serving visibly intoxicated patrons who cause crashes |
| ORS 806.010 | 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 |
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 comparative negligence.
Potentially liable parties in a Portland car accident include:
- The other driver, who may have been speeding, distracted, impaired, or running a signal
- The driver's employer, if they were on the job (vicarious liability)
- Vehicle owner, under 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/Lyft carry $1M 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
Our $655,000 settlement in March 2024 came from a drunk driving case where the driver had limited insurance. We pursued the bar owner under Oregon's dram shop law and recovered far more than the driver's policy alone would have covered. That's the kind of creative strategy 20,000 cases teaches you.
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 31.370, 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 Portland
Our Portland car accident lawyers represent clients injured in every type of collision. Each crash type presents unique legal and medical challenges. Here's what we handle and why experience matters for each:
Rear-End Collisions
The most common collision type in Portland, especially during stop-and-go traffic on I-5 and I-84. Rear-end crashes frequently cause whiplash, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries, all of which insurers routinely downplay as "soft tissue."
We fight to document the full extent of your injuries and recover what your case is actually worth.
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Crashes
Side-impact collisions typically happen at intersections when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield. Portland's most dangerous intersections along SE 122nd and SE 82nd see a disproportionate number of T-bone crashes.
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.
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 highways outside Portland or from wrong-way drivers on I-5 and I-205.
Injuries frequently include spinal cord damage, severe TBI, and fatalities. These cases typically involve the highest settlement values.
Rollover Accidents
Rollovers are more common in SUVs and trucks, particularly on Portland's highway on-ramps and curved sections of Highway 26. They carry a high risk of ejection injuries, crush injuries, and burns.
We investigate whether vehicle design defects or road conditions contributed to the rollover, which can add manufacturer or government liability to your claim.
Sideswipe Collisions
Common during lane changes on Portland's busy highways and on congested surface streets like Powell Blvd and Sandy Blvd. Sideswipe crashes cause shoulder injuries, arm fractures, and lacerations.
While often dismissed as minor, they can push vehicles into oncoming traffic or off the road, causing secondary impacts with far worse injuries.
Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups
Multi-vehicle pile-ups create the most complex liability scenarios. Portland's winter ice storms on I-84 through the Columbia Gorge and fog-related chain reactions on I-5 cause pile-ups involving dozens of vehicles.
Determining which driver caused which injuries requires accident reconstruction experts and careful analysis of multiple insurance policies.
Hit-and-Run Crashes
When the at-fault driver flees the scene, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage becomes your primary source of compensation. Phantom car accidents in Portland (where the at-fault vehicle is never identified) present unique challenges.
We help gather surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence to build your UM claim and, when possible, identify the fleeing driver.
Truck Accidents
Portland truck accidents involve commercial vehicles governed by federal FMCSA regulations. I-5, I-84, and I-205 carry heavy freight traffic through Portland, 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 in Portland 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.
Uber/Lyft Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accident claims require navigating multiple insurance policies: the driver's personal policy, the rideshare company's $1M 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.
Drunk Driving Crashes
Portland has seen encouraging declines in alcohol-related crashes, including zero DUII fatalities during the 2025 holiday peak.[1] But drunk driving collisions still cause devastating injuries.
These cases often allow us to pursue punitive damages under ORS 31.370 and dram shop claims against bars that over-served the driver, as we did in our $655K drunk driver case.
Drowsy Driving Accidents
Drowsy driving in Portland is an under-recognized danger that mimics the impairment of drunk driving. Fatigued drivers have delayed reaction times, impaired judgment, and can fall asleep at the wheel entirely.
These crashes often happen on long stretches of I-5 and I-84 during early morning or late night hours. Proving drowsiness requires cell phone records, work schedules, and expert testimony, all of which we know how to gather and present.
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). Even "mild" concussions 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, including herniated discs, bulging discs, and nerve compression
- Burns and disfigurement from post-crash fires or friction burns
- Amputations, traumatic or surgical, requiring prosthetics and rehabilitation
- Internal organ damage to liver, spleen, and kidneys from blunt force trauma
- PTSD and emotional trauma. Real injuries that deserve real compensation
If someone you love was killed in a Portland car crash, our wrongful death attorneys can help your family pursue compensation for funeral costs, lost income, and loss of companionship.
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.
I'm involved in almost every case across all 21 of our offices. That's not typical for a firm our size, 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 comprehensive 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.
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, and 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 ultimately 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 Portland 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 Portland Clients Say About Us
Our Portland office is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars with 453 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 Portland
Our Portland office at 6500 S Macadam Ave Suite 380 serves accident victims throughout the greater Portland metropolitan area. Whether your crash happened on a busy downtown intersection, a suburban highway, or a rural road in the surrounding counties, our team is ready to help.
Portland neighborhoods and districts:
- Downtown Portland
- East Portland
- Southeast Portland
- Northeast Portland
- North Portland
- Southwest Portland
Surrounding cities:
- Lake Oswego
- Tigard
- Beaverton
- Gresham
- Milwaukie
- Oregon City
- Clackamas
- West Linn
- Hillsboro
We represent clients across Multnomah County, Washington County, and Clackamas County, the three counties that make up the Portland metro area. No matter where your accident occurred, we handle cases in every court in the region. Call (971) 339-8080 for a free consultation.
Local Portland Resources After a Car Accident
Hospitals Near Common Crash Corridors
- OHSU Hospital, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239 (Level 1 trauma center)
- Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, 9205 SW Barnes Rd, Portland, OR 97225
- Providence Portland Medical Center, 805 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97213
Recommended Chiropractor
- ProCare Chiropractic Center, 10249 NE Clackamas St, Portland, OR 97220
Recommended Auto Body Shop
- Everett Street Autoworks & Mechanics, 509 NW Everett St, Portland, OR 97209
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Portland, 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.
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 Portland car accident lawyer?
At Goldberg & Loren, it costs you nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis: 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 $5,700, while disabling injuries average $155,000 and fatal crashes average $1,778,000.[6] Critically, claimants who hire attorneys recover 3.5–4.4x 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, which is exactly why you need an attorney.[7]
What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?
Oregon requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage at $25,000/$50,000 minimum. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, 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 is even more important.
How long will my Portland 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 18–24 months. 98% of our cases never see a courtroom.
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.
What questions should I ask before hiring a Portland car accident lawyer?
Ask about their experience with Oregon car accident cases specifically, their trial record, how many cases they handle at once, and whether you'll communicate with the attorney directly or only with paralegals. For a full checklist, see our guide on 20 questions to ask a Portland car accident lawyer.
What if I was hit by a drowsy or fatigued driver?
Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. These cases require evidence like cell phone records, work schedules, and sleep history to prove fatigue.
An experienced attorney can work with experts to establish impairment by exhaustion. Learn more about drowsy driving crashes in Portland.
Sources
[1] City of Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland 2025 Deadly Traffic Crash Report. portland.gov
[2] Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 12.110 (Statute of Limitations), ORS 811.720 / 811.725 (Crash Reporting). oregonlegislature.gov
[3] Nolo, How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth? Survey of 5,800+ claimants; average recovery with attorney $77,600 vs. $17,600 without. nolo.com
[4] Oregon State Bar, Attorney Directory entry for George Zachary Goldberg. Admitted Oregon. osbar.org
[5] Portland Bureau of Transportation, Vision Zero: Portland Traffic Fatality Data 2024. 58 fatalities, 48% involved speeding, 71% on High Crash Network. portland.gov
[6] NHTSA, The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes. Average crash costs by injury severity. 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
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Founding Partner, Goldberg & Loren | J.D. magna cum laude, University of Miami School of Law | Serving clients since 1994 | 30+ years, 20,000+ cases, 98% success rate
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Goldberg & Loren
6500 S Macadam Ave Suite 380,
Portland, OR 97239,United States
(971) 339-8080
As a personal injury attorney, I have helped thousands of car accident victims just like you to get the compensation they deserve to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We work hard to make you whole again.
Our Office Location
We Represent Those Injured in Car Accidents in the Following Cities and Communities Near Portland, Oregon.
- Clackamas County, OR
- Clark County, WA
- Columbia County, OR
- Multnomah County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Washington County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Yamhill County, OR
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