Portland Top-Rated Car Accident Lawyers
Rob Kline started practicing law in Oregon in 1998, and he continues to be a strong advocate for accident victims throughout PDX. He’s established himself as one of the leading car accident attorneys in the area. That means he has the experience, the legal acumen, and the attention to detail to assist clients in complicated auto accident litigation.
If you were seriously hurt in a crash, Rob and his team are here to help. To speak with one of Portland’s top-rated car accident lawyers about your case, contact our law office today. You can also request a free consultation by calling (503) 224-6246.
What Makes Rob Kline a Top-Rated Portland Car Accident Lawyer
Being “top-rated” can apply to different aspects of an attorney’s qualifications and approach to law. For Rob Kline, there are a few key aspects of his career that establish him as one of Portland’s top-rated car accident attorneys.
Experience with Insurance Company Tactics
Rob started his legal career as an attorney for large corporations and insurance companies. He had a change of heart and decided his skills were better used to help accident victims and their families.
Not all car accident lawyers have this first-hand experience from the other side of the table. Rob can use his knowledge of how insurance companies negotiate settlements to your advantage.
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
Rob has an AV Preeminent peer-review rating on Martindale-Hubbell. Martindale-Hubbell (which is part of Martindale-Avvo) was founded in 1868 and is one of the nation’s most trusted legal directories.
The AV Preeminent rating means that Rob has reached the highest level of professional excellence in his legal and ethical standards as judged by his peers in the legal community.
10/10 Rating by Avvo
Rob has a 10/10 rating on Avvo. Avvo is a legal services database and attorney directory founded in 2007.
The rating is not arbitrary. It’s determined by an algorithm that evaluates a lawyer’s education, experience, client reviews, peer endorsements, professional accomplishments, and recognition in the legal field.
Selected to Oregon Super Lawyers
Rob has been selected to Super Lawyers since 2019. Super Lawyers is a recognition and rating service for legal professionals. Inclusion in Super Lawyers means that an attorney has reached a high level of achievement in the legal field that’s backed up by peer recognition.
Former President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA)
From 2023–2024, Rob served as president of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA). The OTLA is dedicated to protecting the rights of injured Oregonians, holding wrongdoers accountable, and promoting a fair and equitable justice system through advocacy and education.
In-Depth Knowledge of Personal Injury Law
Rob knows the nuances of Oregon personal injury as well as local ordinances and statutes. He is the author of the Oregon Pedestrian Law Guide 2.0, a handy legal reference that is part of The OTLA Automobile Litigation Deskbook series.
He is also one of the lead authors of the “Wrongful-Death and Survival of Personal-Injury Actions” chapter in Tort Law in Oregon (2024 Edition), published by the Oregon State Bar.
Why Hiring a Top-Rated Car Accident Lawyer Matters
These accolades and publications are not just a badge of honor. These are all a testament to Rob’s dedication to Oregon’s accident victims and their families. He has the knowledge and reputation to negotiate settlements and take your case all the way to trial.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a collision, you need a top-rated Portland car accident lawyer like Rob Kline on your side.
You Have a Limited Time to Hire an Attorney and File a Lawsuit
If you were seriously injured in a car accident, you need to act quickly. Per Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) § 12.110, collision victims usually have just two years to file an accident lawsuit. If you lost a family member in a fatal car crash, you have three years from the date of their death per ORS § 30.020.
There are some exceptions to these time limits, such as cases involving government employees or entities. It’s best to speak with a top-rated Portland car accident attorney as soon as possible so you can get the legal process underway.
You Can Still File a Lawsuit If You Were Partly at Fault in the Crash
Some people avoid filing a legal action because they they believe they were partly to blame for a collision. In Oregon, you can still seek compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the crash. This is because Oregon is a modified comparative negligence state per ORS § 31.600. Your share of liability is deducted from the total amount awarded.
For example, say that you receive $100,000 in damages from a jury, but they determine you were 15% at fault for the crash. You would still receive $85,000 in damages.
Do not admit any fault to the other driver or insurance company. You can review what happened with Rob Kline and his team during a free case review.
Why You Should Choose Our Law Office to Work on Your Case
Rob and his team bring a lot to the table beyond his own legal accolades.
- We Know the Local Roads and Highways: Our law office is familiar with dangerous roads in the region. Whether it’s the streets in neighborhoods just east of the Willamette River or a multi-vehicle wreck on I-5, we understand the many risks for local motorists.
- We Offer Free Legal Consultations: The last thing you need while recovering from a crash is another bill. Free case reviews mean that accident victims do not have to pay anything to discuss what happened with a top-rated car accident lawyer.
Speak with a Top-Rated Car Accident Attorney in Portland
Don’t delay. The sooner you get in contact with our law office, the better it is for your case and your peace of mind. To speak with one of the top-rated car accident attorneys in Portland, OR, contact our law office today. Rob Kline and his team are ready to advocate for you.
The Top Reasons for Fatal Car Accidents in Portland
The City of Portland’s Vision Zero program identified some of the most common reasons for fatal crashes in the city. They are as follows:
- Drunk and Intoxicated Driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol endangers countless drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists in Portland.
- Excessive Speed: Excessive speed is a leading cause of car accidents nationwide, affecting vehicle stopping times and the severity of injuries in a crash.
- Poor Lighting/Visibility: Many accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists occur during nighttime or when there is dark/low lighting.
- Wide Streets: Wide streets are any non-highway roads that are four lanes or more across. Drivers tend to speed on wide streets, and it takes more time for cyclists and pedestrians to cross these kinds of roads.
- Large Vehicles: Large vehicles (especially SUV and pickup trucks) have increased in popularity. Their size means major blind spots around these vehicles and greater force when these vehicles get into collisions.
- Hit-and-Run Crashes: Many pedestrians and cyclists are killed by hit-and-run drivers, though these kinds of accidents can also cause serious injuries to motorists.
Additional Factors in Serious Car Accidents
In addition to the above behaviors, these are some other common causes of serious PDX car accidents.
- Street Racing: People racing their cars on the street break the law and take unnecessary chances that endanger everyone on the road.
- Reckless Driving: Reckless driving could mean the failure to yield, refusal to use signals, tailgating, and aggressive lane changes.
- Ignoring Stop Signs: When people blow through red lights or stop signs at an intersection, there is a higher likelihood of a catastrophic T-bone crash.
- Distracted Driving: Texting while driving, eating while driving, and looking up directions means a driver’s attention is off the road and their hands are off the wheel.
- Driver Fatigue: Driving while you are sleepy or very tired can have the same effect on your reflexes and decision-making skills as drunk driving.
- Mechanical Errors: When vehicles are defective, tires are in poor condition, or other auto parts are unsafe, car crashes become more likely.
- Inclement Weather: Rain and fog can affect traction, handling, and visibility. Drivers need to be cautious in these kinds of conditions.
- Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, downed tree limbs, missing signs, broken traffic signals, and other issues with road maintenance can make driving much more difficult.
Catastrophic Injuries Have Long-Term Effects on Your Life
Catastrophic injuries that can have a lasting effect on a person’s daily activities and ability to work. Some examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Fractured bones
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Damage to internal organs
- Second- and third-degree burns
- Hearing or vision loss
As a top-rated Portland car accident lawyer, Rob Kline can review your injuries and evaluate their long-term effects on your quality of life, your household finances, and your future ability to earn a living.
Car Accidents Have Lasting Effects on Children
When children are in a car during a crash, the injuries can be severe. Broken bones, head trauma, and other forms of harm can lead to major health issues as children grow up. In addition, the psychological trauma can have long-term effects on a child’s emotional development and mental health.
Rob Kline and his team have experience working on accidents that involve injuries to children. We can work with parents and caregivers to ensure their child’s needs are fully represented in a car accident claim.
Fatal Car Accidents and Their Effect on Your Household
If you lose a spouse or family member in a fatal car accident in Portland, our team can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit. This legal action helps secure compensation to address the many financial, emotional, and day-to-day challenges that grieving families experience.
Legal Damages in a Car Accident Claim
Legal damages in a car accident case are intended to address the losses people experienced and help make them whole once more. Accident victims typically receive compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are quantifiable losses associated with an accident. Examples include:
- Medical Bills: This includes hospitalization, surgery, and any visits with doctors or specialists for your injuries. This also includes ongoing and future medical care needs, including prescriptions, physical rehabilitation, and occupational therapy.
- Damaged Property: This includes the cost of repairs to your vehicle or the replacement of a totaled vehicle. You can also receive compensation for personal belongings damaged in a crash and the cost of rideshares or car rentals while you were without a vehicle.
- Lost Wages: This includes lost income due to extended leave at work as you recuperated from your car accident injuries. It also includes the loss of future earnings if your injuries made you physically or cognitively unable to continue in your current career.
- Accommodations for Disability: If the car accident caused a permanent disability, you can receive compensation for the use of a wheelchair, assistive devices, prostheses, and any renovations to your home to address your new reality.
Non-economic damages are losses that are difficult to quantify and address someone’s diminished quality of life. Examples include:
- Pain and Suffering: This covers the discomfort associated with a serious injury, such as chronic pain and other serious side effects of a traumatic event.
- Emotional Distress: An aspect of pain and suffering, this includes to bouts of insomnia, anxiety, depression, and unease that often accompany a major traumatic event.
- Diminished Quality of Life: This refers to changes in your ability to pursue previous interests or a loss of your enjoyment in certain activities due to your injuries.
Will I Receive Punitive Damages After a Car Accident?
This depends on the nature of the car accident, though punitive damages are rare in the state of Oregon.
Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for their negligence rather than provide compensation to the plaintiff for their losses. As noted in ORS § 31.730, punitive damages are only awarded when the defendant has acted with malice or has shown a conscious, reckless, and outrageous indifference to the health, safety, and welfare of others.
When you discuss your case with Rob Kline, he will let you know if punitive damages might be available based on what happened during the accident.
Contact One of Portland’s Top-Rated Car Accident Lawyers Today
You deserve strong legal representation after a major collision. Don’t settle for just any PDX car accident attorney; find a lawyer with a record you can trust. To request a free consultation with one of Portland’s top-rated car accident lawyers, contact our law office today. You can also reach Rob Kline and his team by calling (503) 224-6246.
