If you were hurt in a collision or your car was totaled, you need to speak with a lawyer about your auto accident. Working with our local lawyer for auto accident attorney near me location can help maximize compensation in your claim and help you meet crucial deadlines while filing a legal action.
You don’t have to feel alone or confused after a crash. Attorney Rob Kline and his team are ready to listen. To request a free consultation with a skilled Portland lawyer for auto accidents near you, contact our law office today. You can also get in touch with us by calling (503) 224-6246.
How Long Do I Have to File an Auto Accident Claim in Oregon?
In Oregon, different statutes of limitations apply based on the nature of your auto accident.
- Per Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) § 12.110, you have two years to file an action for an auto accident that resulted in injuries.
- Per ORS § 30.020, you have three years to file an action for a fatal auto accident.
Why You Should Speak with a Lawyer About Your Auto Accident ASAP
Once these respective statutes of limitations have passed, you will not be able to take legal action. It’s also worth noting that there are exceptions to the above deadlines that depend on the circumstances of the collision and the parties involved in the crash.
It’s in your best interests to speak with a lawyer near you about your auto accident as soon as possible. Taking action now will ensure that evidence is preserved and you can reach a resolution sooner rather than later. Portland-based attorney Rob Kline can review your case and advise you on the next steps you should take to seek compensation.
Can I File an Auto Accident Claim Even If I Am Partly to Blame?
Yes. Oregon is a modified comparative negligence state (ORS § 31.600), which means that you can still receive damages as long as you were 50% or less at fault in an auto accident. Your percentage of blame is deducted from the total amount awarded.
For example, say that you were in a collision. You’re awarded $100,000 in damages but were found to be 10% at fault. Because of modified comparative negligence, you would be awarded $90,000.
Remember: you must avoid admitting fault to the insurance company, and you should not apologize for your actions in a collision. By hiring a lawyer for your auto accident, you can prevent mispeaking and other mistakes that can reduce the amount of compensation you receive in your claim.
Why Do I Need a Local Attorney After an Auto Accident in Portland?
A local auto accident attorney here in Portland will know all of the relevant laws that apply to your collision case. A lawyer near you will also know the local roads and the dangers drivers may have experienced at the time of a crash.
For instance, a lawyer from the Portland area will know just how hazardous traffic can be around the intersection of Glisan Street and NE 122nd Avenue. A local attorney can use that knowledge to identify the cause of an accident, note any contributing factors, and build a compelling case.
By working with a lawyer like Rob Kline, you are choosing a long-time PDX resident who understands your situation and the local legal system.
Why Should I Choose Rob Kline for My Auto Accident Claim?
Rob Kline takes a client-focused approach to personal injury law. He’s had a distinguished legal career, which includes serving as President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) from 2023–2024.
Proudly serving the people of Portland, he brings many advantages to each auto accident case he works on:
- He Knows How Insurance Companies Operate: Rob Kline started his legal career working for large corporations and insurance companies. He knows first-hand how the other side operates, and he can use this to your advantage while negotiating a settlement or representing your case in court.
- He Is Recognized for His Excellence as a Lawyer: Rob Kline has a 10/10 “Superb Lawyer” rating on Avvo thanks to his personable and compassionate approach to auto accident litigation. He also has an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
- He Understands the Nuances of State and Local Laws: Rob Kline has a deep knowledge of the law and can provide a detailed explanation of what’s happening in your case. He’s penned a number of legal resources, including the Oregon Pedestrian Law Guide 2.0, part of The OTLA Automobile Litigation Deskbook series.
Contact a Trusted Portland Lawyer for Auto Accidents Near You
If you’ve been in a crash that caused vehicle damage or serious injuries, you need attorney Rob Kline on your side. Our team is ready to help. To schedule a free case review with an experienced lawyer for an auto accident near you, contact our Portland law office. You can also reach our team by phone at (503) 224-6246.
What Are Some Common Causes of Auto Accidents?
Below are just some of the most common causes of collisions we’ve seen in the Portland area. Our lawyer can determine the cause of your auto accident and identify other contributing factors in the crash.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Whether it’s on Interstate 5 or Northeast Glisan Street, excessive speed puts countless lives in danger. Other reckless behaviors that can cause or contribute to a serious collision include tailgating, refusing to signal, failure to yield the right of way, and frequent lane changes.
Driving Under the Influence
If someone causes an accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, our team can hold them liable for any injuries and property damage. By holding intoxicated drivers liable in DUI accident cases, we can help crash survivors receive compensation to aid in their recovery.
Driver Distractions
Distracted driving refers to any action that diverts a driver’s attention from the road or that causes a driver to take their hands off the steering wheel. Examples include texting while driving, looking up directions, making a call without a hands-free kit, eating while driving, and rubbernecking.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is a common issue among semi-truck drivers, delivery drivers, and rideshare drivers with Uber and Lyft. Long hours spent on the road can leave these motorists tired. If these drivers ignore mandatory breaks or try to push themselves despite exhaustion, there’s a risk that they may fall asleep behind the wheel or be too slow to respond to sudden changes in traffic.
Defective Vehicles and Auto Parts
Driver error isn’t the only cause of collisions. Sometimes vehicles or auto parts have serious defects that can make them unsafe to drive or prone to mechanical failure. This can also apply to any defects or safety malfunctions involving self-driving mode and autopilot in certain vehicles. Automakers and parts manufacturers could be held liable for their negligence in these cases.
Poor Road Conditions
Potholes, damaged roads, broken traffic lights, and a lack of streetlights can increase the risk of an auto accident. The same can be said about rain, black ice, and bad weather that can affect road conditions. In some cases, local road authorities can be held responsible for a lack of maintenance or for failing to make improvements that would have mitigated potential dangers for motorists.
What Causes Accidents Involving Motorcycles and Mopeds?
In addition to the above causes of many auto accidents, these are some common contributing factors in motorcycle and moped crashes.
- Driver Inexperience: Young motorcyclists or people who are new to motorcycles and mopeds might take unnecessary risks or be unsure of how to respond to adverse road conditions.
- Lane Splitting: Lane splitting is when a motorcycle travels between two passenger vehicles moving in the same direction. Lane splitting is not legal in Oregon, but some motorcyclists do it regardless.
- Failure to Check Blind Spots: Many drivers fail to check their blind spots for motorcyclists and people on mopeds. This lapse in caution could cause serious collisions while changing lanes or merging.
Who Is Liable in an Auto Accident with a Commercial Vehicle?
If a tractor-trailer or delivery vehicle causes an accident, multiple parties could be held liable depending on what happened during the collision. In some cases, the trucker or delivery driver will be held liable for their mistakes. The trucking company can also be held liable if it failed to run a background check on a driver that would have identified red flags and other road safety concerns.
Crashes with commercial vehicles can be complicated, which is why you need a lawyer near you to review your auto accident. You can trust our Portland law office for diligent counsel after a collision with a commercial vehicle in the area.
What Damages Can I Seek After an Auto Accident?
After a collision, we can help you seek compensation for various economic and non-economic losses associated with the crash. We can review all of the ways your life has been impacted by an accident as we work together on your case.
Economic Damages After an Auto Accident
Economic damages refer to quantifiable losses associated with an accident, which may include:
- Medical Care: This covers everything from the ambulance and any emergency care as well as hospitalization, surgery, assistive devices, and follow-up visits with your doctor and specialists.
- Physical Rehabilitation: Long-term physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy may be required to restore mobility and function to injured body parts.
- Mental Health Counseling: Auto collisions are traumatic events. You can receive compensation for any therapy to address depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Accommodations for a Disability: If the auto accident caused a long-term or permanent disability, compensation can address home renovations and other changes to accommodate your condition.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: You can be compensated for any loss of income due to the accident as well as reduced earning potential related to your injuries.
- Damage to Property: Compensation will cover the damage to your vehicle as well as any belongings in the vehicle that were damaged at the time of the crash.
Non-Economic Damages After an Auto Accident
Non-economic damages refer to changes to your life that are difficult to put a firm monetary value on, including:
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to chronic pain or lingering discomfort, emotional distress, and any other adverse issues brought on by the auto collision.
- Diminished Quality of Life: Related to pain and suffering, reduced quality of life refers to the ways that an accident has negatively affected a person’s overall enjoyment of life and their reduced sense of well-being.
- Loss of Consortium: Loss of consortium refers to the accident’s effects on a spousal relationship. This covers the inability to contribute to household chores, to be a good companion, or to be physically intimate with one’s spouse.
Punitive Damages After an Auto Accident
Punitive damages are intended to punish the liable party for their actions, though they are not always awarded in auto accident cases. To be eligible for punitive damages, the liable party needs to have acted with malice or shown a reckless and outrageous indifference to the health, safety, and welfare of others.
During your consultation with Portland lawyer Rob Kline, he will review the nature of your auto accident and determine if you could receive punitive damages in a legal action.
What Are My Legal Options After a Fatal Auto Accident?
If you lose a loved one in a fatal auto accident, we can help you file a wrongful death claim against the liable party. In addition to the damages listed above, wrongful death actions seek compensation for funeral expenses, grief counseling, and the many other ways the loss of a family member impacts your household.
Should I Accept a Settlement or Go to Trial?
That depends on the nature of your auto accident and the amount offered in the settlement. We can assess the offer and help negotiate a better settlement based on the collision and the different ways it’s affected your life.
The vast majority of collision claims are settled out of court. However, it’s always worth discussing your options with an experienced Portland lawyer like Rob Kline. He’ll determine if it’s worth taking your auto accident case to trial to seek damages and maximize compensation.
Contact Our Auto Accident Near Me Law Firm in Portland, Oregon
You don’t have to go into an auto accident case alone. You can trust Rob Kline if you need a skilled Portland-based lawyer. For a free auto accident consultation near you, contact our law office today. You can also set up a case evaluation by phone at (503) 224-6246.
