Oregon Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, do not miss out on the full and fair compensation you need and deserve. Insurance companies are notorious for taking advantage of injury victims by denying, delaying, and drastically underpaying claims. The Oregon motor vehicle accident lawyers listed in this directory are here to protect your rights and stand up to the insurance companies for you.
2014 Oregon Traffic Accident Numbers
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) tells us that, in 2014, 35,054 people were injured and 356 people were killed in Oregon traffic accidents. Of those:
- Pedestrians – 862 injured and 56 killed
- Motorcyclists – 844 inured and 44 killed
- Pedalcyclists, including bicyclists – 955 were injured and 7 killed
- 68 people were injured in parked vehicles
As you can see, the number of motorcyclists and pedestrians injured and killed in Oregon, in 2014, was nearly equal with a slightly lower injury and death rate for motorcyclists.
Time Limits and Deadlines
Failing to adhere to the time limits and deadlines that apply to your case can cost you your right to compensation no matter how badly you need it and how much you deserve it. The statute of limitations is the time limit for filing a lawsuit, and in Oregon, the statute of limitations for a traffic accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident.
If you must sue the government, you have a much shorter amount of time to take legal action. You must give notice of your intent to sue within 180 days of your accident, and you must strictly follow Oregon rules for giving notice. There are some circumstances that can extend that time by up to 90 days such as being unable to give notice because you were incapacitated by your injuries or because you were a minor child.
To protect your legal rights, you should talk to an Oregon motor vehicle accident attorney immediately.
If You Were Not Wearing a Seat Belt
Oregon law requires seat belt use, but also protects traffic accident victims from being harshly penalized if they were not wearing seat belts during an accident. Oregon is one of many states that recognizes the fact that seatbelts can minimize injuries and save lives, but they do not prevent accidents and insurance companies should not be allowed to use seatbelt non-use as an excuse to get out of paying legitimate claims.
Evidence of seatbelt non-use can be used to reduce your compensation, but by no more than five percent.
If you have been injured in an Oregon traffic accident, please browse our directory of car accident lawyers to speak to one of the experienced Oregon motor vehicle accident lawyers profiled on this website.