Oregon Car Accident Lawyers

Put a Strong Advocate on Your Side

Car accidents are traumatic experiences with far-reaching consequences. If you have suffered from an accident in Oregon due to another party’s negligence, The Gatti Law Firm can help. Our auto accident lawyers have been serving the Oregon community for more than 45 years.

We have even created a guide to help you with your car accident claim: Car Accident Guide.

For the competent legal services you deserve in your corner, retain the services of The Gatti Law Firm. Get started with a free consultation when you call (503) 543-1114!

Types of Compensation Available

The most important thing is that you do not delay in securing the legal representation you need by your side.

Car Accident Cases in Oregon

If you have experienced any of the following, you may be entitled to compensation:

Pain and suffering
Medical bills
Ongoing care costs
Lost wages
Vehicle damage

Our experienced car accident attorneys will fight for every ounce of compensation you could be entitled to: from medical benefits to disability benefits to special damages for:

Anguish
Permanent injury
Scarring
Disfigurement

What Our Clients Have to Say

"With their help, I was able to obtain appropriate compensation for the incident - which was much more than I would have received without them." Jason F.

Understanding the Car Accident Laws in Oregon

If you have been injured in a car accident in Oregon, developing a well-rounded knowledge of the laws that affect your situation can help you get the best possible outcome. Our firm wants you to know about the laws in Oregon that could impact you and your ability to obtain compensation. The state of Oregon follows the principle of “modified comparative negligence.” This means that the size of your award will be reduced in direct proportion to your level of fault in the accident. If your share of fault exceeds the fault of other parties, however, you will no longer be entitled to compensation.

You should also be aware of the state’s strict statute of limitations that restrict the time you can file a car accident claim to two years. This is discussed in greater detail later on this page.

Another law you should be aware of is the requirement to file an Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report within 72 hours of your car accident. This report will need to cover:

Damage to property (including vehicles)
Whether any vehicle was towed
Results (such as injury or death)

In most cases, due to laws on drivers, most cases involve insurance policies. There are likely coverage rules and requirements that will also impact your car crash case.

In summary, the Oregon car accident laws you should be aware of are incident report filings, comparative negligence, and statute of limitation laws.

Car Accidents Involving Third-Party Liability

Car accident lawsuits are not always cut and dry. Many people are quick to point the finger at the driver of the other vehicle, but what happens when neither of the drivers are considered responsible for the crash?

In some cases, the blame may be on someone who was not even directly at the scene of the accident. These situations involve third-party liability and may include vehicle and parts manufacturers when things are considered defective. Here are some situations in which this may be the case.

Brake Failure Causing a Crash

One of the biggest defective problems you can ensure is a problem with the brakes—the part of your vehicle responsible for stopping you from higher speeds and helping to prevent serious crashes. When brakes fail, accidents happen.

In these types of situations, it must be determined if the brake failure was caused by a defect or by a failure to maintain. If the brake was defective due to a manufacturing error, the manufacturer of the part may be considered liable.

Defective Air Bags

There has been wide-ranging news regarding some airbags potentially being defective and causing significant injury when deployed. When this happens, it is the manufacturer of the airbag who may be considered liable and may be responsible for compensating an injured person.

What Injured People Can Do

When a defect is the cause of a significant injury, the injured party can take legal action against the manufacturer. Companies who manufacture car products must ensure that the design is safe, the part is properly produced, and there is a warning of any potential dangers.

If the part is defective and causes a serious injury, you as the victim can speak with an Oregon car accident attorney about your rights to pursue legal action against the manufacturer. This can help you seek the compensation you deserve to help cover the expenses associated with the injuries.

What to Do About Your Vehicle After a Car Accident

You have the right to have your car back to “pre-loss” condition following a car accident. You also have the right to take your car to a body shop of your choice. Most insurance company body shops have computer-generated repair models designed to cut corners and do repairs that may look good, but, underneath, the repair is obviously superficial.

Consumers have the right to take a damaged vehicle back as many times as needed in order to get the car repaired properly. You do not have to live with air pockets, rattles, messed-up transmissions, or any other objectively verifiable damage done during a collision. You do not have to go to the shop the insurance company recommends, and you do not have to accept the low-ball estimate their appraiser gives you.

Often, if you go to a good reputable shop, that shop will negotiate with the insurance company so that the repairs will bring the car back to as close to the pre-loss condition as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions on Car Accidents in Portland

We want to help you achieve success with your car accident case. Check out these questions that we regularly receive and answers that may offer insight for your own case!

What Should I Do Immediately After an Accident?

After an accident, you will likely be asking yourself, “so what do I do now?” And this is a realistic and logical question. First things first, stop the car. Even if you believe the damage was minor, you have a legal obligation to stop.

You will want to keep your mouth shut and avoid admitting responsibility or guilt for the accident. Let your attorney do the talking. Additionally, do not move the vehicles unless they are causing an issue with traffic and can safely be moved to the side of the road. It is best, however, to wait for the police to arrive to shift the scene.

Take a moment to determine the extent of the injuries to yourself and those involved. Check to evaluate whether any party needs urgent medical care. Get help immediately to help yourself and others involved.

Your next step immediately after the accident is to contact the police, even if it is a relatively minor crash. Work with your attorney to discuss the case and how to protect your rights moving forward in the case. It is important to be prepared.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Multiple parties involved in a car accident can be deemed “at fault” and compensation will be distributed accordingly. In cases where there is a clear cause of the accident, the victim of a car accident is able to sue the negligent driver for compensation.

What Happens if I am Partially At Fault?

Oregon is what is called a “modified comparative negligence” state. This means that you can recover damages in a car accident, but only according to your level of negligence. If your negligence is greater than that of the other parties, however, you will be barred from recovering compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Oregon

In Oregon, you are bound to a strict “statute of limitations.” This is a time frame that is established in which you are allowed to bring a lawsuit to court following an accident. You have two years from the date of the crash to file a car accident injury claim. This time limit is based on the Oregon Revised Statutes section 12.110. If someone dies as a result of the accident, the family has three years from the date of the underlying injury to file a wrongful death claim.

Do not wait another moment to file a lawsuit. It could take many months to collect all the evidence and information needed to file a lawsuit.

Take the First Step Today!

Whether you are a victim of a head-on collision, rear-end collision, side-impact collision or multi-vehicle collision, The Gatti Law Firm and its compassionate and aggressive car accident lawyers are ready to represent you. We have offices in Eugene, Hillsboro, Clackamas, Lake Oswego, and Salem.

For more information about our firm and services or to discuss the details surrounding your car accident case, contact our Oregon auto accident lawyers today.