After an accident, you need to speak with an attorney about what happened. Do not delay. Getting your case reviewed by a local auto accident lawyer near you can help you understand the true value of your claim and have leverage when trying to secure a good settlement.
If you were in a serious collision in the Portland area, attorney Rob Kline can help you seek compensation for your injuries, vehicle repairs, damaged property, and lost income. To discuss your case with our experienced auto accident lawyer near me law firm, contact our Portland law office. You can also request a free consultation by phone at (503) 224-6246.
You Have a Limited Time to File an Auto Accident Claim
You have a limited amount of time to file an action after an auto accident. This is known as a statute of limitations, and this deadline varies depending on the nature of the collision.
- According to Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) § 12.110, you have two years from the date of an injury auto accident to file a personal injury action.
- According to ORS § 30.020, you have three years from the date of a fatal auto accident to file a wrongful death action.
Once the statute of limitations has expired, you will no longer be able to take legal action. It’s also important to note that there are exceptions to the above deadlines depending on the circumstances of the collision and the parties that were involved.
It’s best to speak with a Portland auto accident lawyer near you as soon as possible after the crash. Attorney Rob Kline can evaluate your case and let you know what steps to take next in order to maximize compensation.
You Can File an Auto Accident Claim Even If You Were Partly at Fault
Per ORS § 31.600, Oregon is a modified comparative negligence state. That means you can still collect damages after a collision as long as you are 50% or less at fault. The percentage of liability will be deducted from your jury award.
For example, say that you are awarded $100,000 in damages after a serious auto accident, but you were also determined to be 25% at fault. Because of modified comparative negligence, you would ultimately receive $75,000.
Never admit fault after a crash to insurance companies or apologize to the other driver for your errors in judgment. Discuss what happened with attorney Rob Kline so you can get sound advice without jeopardizing your accident claim.
Why You Need a Lawyer Near You After an Auto Accident in Portland
Working with a local auto accident attorney is particularly important. A lawyer familiar with PDX will have a better understanding of your case and the circumstances involved. For instance, we know just how dangerous streets like NE Glisan and SE Division can be for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. We can use this knowledge to construct a compelling case based on the available evidence and the history of collisions on these roads.
An auto accident lawyer will help you understand the true value of your claim, assist with negotiating a better settlement with the insurance company, and advocate for you in court to seek legal damages.
Ultimately, we aren’t just a Portland law office—we’re Portland residents just like you, and we want to help out whenever a serious crash affects neighbors in our community.
Reasons to Choose Our Local Law Office for Your 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.
- He Knows How Insurance Companies Operate: Rob Kline started his career in law working for corporations and insurance companies. He has first-hand knowledge of how the other side of the table operates, and he can leverage this experience while negotiating a settlement or representing you in court.
- He Is Recognized for His Excellence as a Lawyer: Rob Kline has an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He’s also earned a 10/10 “Superb Lawyer” rating on Avvo thanks to his compassionate approach to auto accident litigation.
- He Understands the Nuances of State and Local Laws: Rob Kline has authored and co-authored a number of legal resources, including the Oregon Pedestrian Law Guide 2.0, part of The OTLA Automobile Litigation Deskbook series. He can provide a detailed explanation of what’s happening in your case.
Speak with Local Auto Accident Lawyer Rob Kline
Do you need to discuss a collision in PDX with a proven attorney who cares about the local area? Rob Kline and his team are ready to listen. If you need to discuss your legal options with a qualified Portland auto accident lawyer near you, contact our law office today. You can also reach our practice by phone at (503) 224-6246.
Dangerous Roads and Highways in and Around Portland, OR
According to the High Crash Network, these are some of the most dangerous streets in the city of Portland:
- 122nd Avenue
- 82nd Avenue
- Northeast Glisan Street
- Northeast Marine Drive
- Southeast Powell Boulevard
- Southeast Division Street
These streets account for many serious injuries and fatalities involving motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians here in Portland.
In addition to the streets listed above, there are also numerous collisions on I-5 every year, which is expected on a major north-south interstate highway. There are also many crashes on Highway 26, a major east-west cross-state highway that spans the state of Oregon.
Common Causes of Auto Accidents
Below are some of the most common causes of collisions in the Portland area. While working on your auto accident case, attorney Rob Kline can note different causes and contributing factors in your crash. He will hold all negligent parties liable for their actions.
Speeding
Speeding is a major cause of serious injuries and fatalities nationwide. Whether it’s on a highway or along NE Glisan, excessive speed puts countless others on the road at risk. This is especially true when there are bicyclists, pedestrians, or students present after school.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving covers numerous dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. This includes tailgating, refusal to yield, failure to signal, aggressive driving, and frequent lane changes. These actions endanger others who are trying to share the road responsibly.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving refers to any actions that divert a driver’s attention away from the road, and sometimes actions that take a driver’s hands off the wheel. There are many forms of driver distraction, including texting while driving, looking up directions, eating while driving, and rubbernecking.
Drunk and Intoxicated Driving
Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs decision-making skills and slows down reaction times. If you are hit by a drunk driver or a driver under the influence of drugs in Portland, you need an auto accident lawyer near you who will make sure they are held accountable for their negligence.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is a major issue with truckers, delivery drivers, and gig workers with rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. Long hours could cause these drivers to become tired or drowsy. If these drivers ignore mandatory breaks or push through rest, they could fall asleep at the wheel.
Mechanical Failure and Faulty Parts
Driver error is not the only cause of collisions. Sometimes a vehicle is poorly designed or manufactured, or its parts don’t function properly. When vehicles are defective or components malfunction, our team can hold negligent automakers and parts manufacturers accountable.
Poor Road and Weather Conditions
Badly designed or poorly maintained roads can make driving far more dangerous than it needs to be. Rain, black ice, and occasional snow can lead to serious crashes. In some cases, local authorities could be held liable for failing to fix roads or mitigate dangerous driving conditions.
Common Injuries After an Auto Accident
Auto accidents can cause all kinds of serious physical injuries. Some of the most common types of injuries our past clients have experienced include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Concussions, brain contusions, and other kinds of brain damage can have lasting effects on mood, memory, and cognitive function.
- Facial Injuries: Sudden movement in an auto accident can lead to a broken nose, fractured orbital bones, facial lacerations, and all kinds of dental injuries.
- Broken Bones: Auto accident survivors often experience broken limbs, broken clavicles, fractured ribs, cracked sternums, and damage to the vertebrae.
- Whiplash: The sudden back-and-forth movement in a crash can cause serious injuries to the neck, cervical spine, upper back, and shoulders.
- Back and Spine Injuries: The force from a collision could cause herniated discs as well as severe damage to the spinal cord that results in paralysis, paraplegia, or quadriplegia.
- Internal Injuries: Internal organs could be harmed during a crash. Potential internal injuries include a collapsed lung, ruptured spleen, and damage to the liver and kidneys.
In catastrophic accidents, victims may lose a limb or wind up with other kinds of permanent disabilities. This causes major changes in a person’s life and ability to earn a living independently.
How a Car Accident Affects a Survivor’s Mental Health
Auto accidents don’t just cause physical trauma. A collision can have lasting effects on a survivor’s mental health and psychological well-being. Many crash victims have developed the following issues after their collision:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Sleep disturbances
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Survivor’s guilt
Attorney Rob Kline understands how crashes affect different aspects of people’s lives. Working with a Portland auto accident lawyer near you will help you see the full scope of your injuries and the true value of your claim.
Damages After an Auto Accident
Compensation in an auto accident can cover various losses related to the collision as well as the long-term effects of the crash on a person’s life and livelihood. We’ll review the different ways a collision has affected your life as part of the consultation process.
Compensation for Medical Care and Physical Rehabilitation
You can seek compensation to cover accident-related health expenses such as emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, and doctor visits. Compensation can also be sought to cover physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy.
Compensation for Lost Wages and Future Earnings
You can seek compensation if an accident caused you to miss work. In addition to the loss of any wages while recovering from a crash, we can also seek compensation to address the loss of future earnings due to a catastrophic injury or permanent disability.
Compensation for Property Damage
You can seek compensation for any damage to your vehicle and other property during a crash. This includes vehicle repairs or replacement of a car, pickup, SUV, or motorcycle that was totaled in a crash. Any electronics or personal belongings destroyed at the time of the accident will also be covered.
Compensation for an Accident’s Affect on Mental Health
You can seek compensation for psychological counseling, psychiatric help, and other mental health expenses related to the accident. This can also address effects on your quality of life and any emotional pain and suffering you’ve experienced.
Punitive Damages After a Car Accident
Punitive damages are meant to punish the negligent party for their actions in a collision. However, punitive damages are not always awarded after an accident. Punitive damages are only awarded in a collision if the negligent party acted with malice or showed a reckless and outrageous indifference to other people’s health, safety, and welfare.
Legal Options After Fatal Auto Accidents
If you lose a member of your family in a fatal collision, attorney Rob Kline can help you file a wrongful death action against the liable party. Compensation in a wrongful death action can cover funeral costs, grief counseling, the loss of a deceased loved one’s income, and the loss of the deceased’s companionship and contributions to the household.
Contact Our Experienced Portland Auto Accident Lawyer Near Me Law firm!
After a serious crash, you don’t have to face insurance companies alone. Rob Kline and his team are ready to advocate for accident survivors and families who’ve lost loved ones in fatal crashes. To speak with a proven auto accident lawyer near you, contact our Portland law office. You can also reach us by phone at (503) 224-6246.
