Portland Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident and you believe the collision was caused by another driver, contacting a Portland car accident lawyer to learn more about your legal options can be a step forward in the recovery process.
… I would highly recommend reaching out to Richard and his firm if you require sound legal advice. – Client of Rizk Law
Our founder – Richard Rizk – and associate lawyer Alex Pletch – have both been seriously injured in automotive collisions and understand the trauma that accident victims can face following an accident. The car accident lawyers at our law firm have experience handling auto accident cases and a proven track record of success – including a $695,000 recovery for a PDX shuttle driver that was hurt after being hit by an SUV and a $325,000 recovery for a male driver that was injured in a collision that was caused by an illegal u-turn driver. Mr. Rizk also spent many years as the in-house counsel for large insurance companies and as such, has a comprehensive understanding of how insurance companies approach damages claims. There are no upfront fees if you hire us and we only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf. Our office has safe, off-street parking and is conveniently located at 434 South Iowa Street, just minutes from Interstate 5 and the Willamette River.

Free Consultation. Local Phone 503-245-5677.

Table of Contents

How Can a Portland Car Accident Attorney at Rizk Law Help With Your Accident Case?

Accident victims that have legal representation recover more compensation compared to those that do not have a lawyer.

After a crash, victims are often contacted by the insurance company of the at-fault driver. These insurers understand that accident victims are usually dealing with other issues resulting from the crash and will try to rush the victim into accepting a settlement that may be significantly less than the true value of the claim.

Having a car accident lawyer can help to protect your rights and ensure that your best interests are being protected while you focus on the recovery process.

At Rizk Law, there are no upfront fees if we agree to take on your car accident case, and a consultation with a car accident lawyer to help determine if you have a case, is free.

Need Help? Call 503.245.5677

Do I Have a Car Accident Case?

Determining negligence is an important part of building a personal injury case. As there are many factors that can contribute to an automotive collision (driver negligence, weather conditions, vehicle maintenance issues, defective parts and so on), it’s important to hire a Portland car accident lawyer that has the knowledge and experience to full investigate your claim.

Accident victims are often unclear about the benefits of working with an attorney, and even if they think it might help, they worry about how much it will cost. Before making a decision about working with an attorney, it’s important to consider why it may be an advantage to having a legal team on your side, and how the contingency fee arrangement works – it greatly benefits accident victims as they do not have to worry about affording legal services.

What Is My Car Accident Case Worth?

A popular question from many accident victims is, “how much is my case worth?” It’s important to note that as every case is different, it can be difficult to determine a value without looking at the specifics of the incident and the resulting damages that were sustained.

At our law firm, we offer a free evaluation to help determine if you have a case and we charge no upfront fees if you hire us.

In Oregon, damages are commonly classified as “economic damages” and “non-economic” damages:

  • ECONOMIC DAMAGES: As the name implies, these damages reflect the actual, monetary costs associated with the crash. Examples may include:
    • Past, present and future medical expenses
    • Lost wages
    • Loss of potential earning capacity
    • Household services
    • Property damage
  • NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES: These damages are more personal, and relate to physical injuries sustained in a collision:
    • Pain and suffering
    • Emotional anguish
    • PTSD
    • Inconvenience
    • Physical impairment
    • Loss of consortium

Some accident victims feel that their injuries have taken away what they believe really makes life worth living, which can be a significant burden on themselves and family members.

At Rizk Law, our car accident attorneys understand the physical and emotional hardship that victims and their families endure during the recovery process and aim to recover the maximum amount of compensation that may be available for your case.

Have Questions? We Have Answers. Ph: 503.245.5677

How Long Do I Have To File A Car Accident Claim?

In Oregon, the statute of limitations for car accident victims to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the incident. (Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 12 Section 110(1)).

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

5 / 5 stars
Mr. Rizk was assertive, thorough, creative and caring. He helped me through one of the roughest times in my life and in the end I got the benefits and justice I deserved.
 
– A.S

However, there can be exceptions to this rule – for example, if there is a fatality involved, the case may possibly be classified as a wrongful death claim, where there is a three year limit from the date of the collision.

If you are unsure if you are still eligible to file a damages lawsuit, our lawyers can help to review the details of your incident and provide honest, accurate legal advice. We offer a free, no obligation consultation and there are no upfront fees if we take on your case.

Car Insurance Coverage in Oregon

Like many other states, Oregon follows a fault-based system when assigning responsibility for damages from a car accident, such as medical expenses and lost wages. This means the at-fault party is financially responsible for these damages. The victim has three options for pursuing fair compensation:

  • Filing a claim with his or her insurance company – the company will likely try to obtain compensation from the other driver’s insurance company
  • Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
  • Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the driver

However, while filing a lawsuit is an option, many situations are resolved by filing an insurance claim. In Oregon, every driver is required to obtain certain coverages to pay other drivers’ damages in case of an accident, including:

  • Bodily injury coverage worth $25,000 per person and $50,000 for two people who are injured or killed an accident caused by the policyholder. This pays for the medical expenses of victims.
  • Property damage coverage worth $20,000 to cover damage to the other driver’s vehicle.

Car accident victims can also pursue compensation from certain coverages in their own insurance policies, such as personal injury protection coverage, which takes care of medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs.

Injured in a crash while taking an Uber? Learn more here.

If you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or an underinsured driver, you may be able to obtain compensation from your uninsured motorist coverage.

However, this coverage does not pay for damage to your vehicle, just medical expenses. Both personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage are required under state law (Oregon’s Financial Responsibility Law).

One thing to remember about car insurance companies after an accident is that they are focused on paying out the least possible amount of compensation, even your own insurance company. This is why many accident victims choose to be represented by a Portland car accident attorney.

It is also important to note that if there is property damage in the accident that exceeds $1,500 OR if any person is injured in the accident, it MUST be reported to the DMV within 72 hours of the collision taking place. If you are not sure of the value of the damage caused, you should report the accident by completing an Oregon Traffic Accident report, a copy of which can be found on the Oregon DMV website.

At Rizk Law, our Portland car accident attorneys know how insurance companies like to handle these situations and we know how to pursue your best interests. We will not accept unfair offers because we will determine a fair valuation of your damages.

Fill out a Free Case Evaluation form today or call us at 503.245.5677.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Portland

Sometimes the insurance company will not offer fair compensation for your damages. When this happens, your only option for obtaining compensation may be to file a lawsuit.

Our car accident attorneys know that for most people, the thought of going to court brings a lot of anxiety. This is why we keep our clients informed throughout the legal process to help put their mind at ease. We explain what to expect and what they can do to help their case, like continuing treatment or keeping a daily journal documenting their pain and suffering. We will handle building a strong case as we try to prove the other side was negligent and this directly led to your injuries and damages.

Our car accident attorneys in Portland, OR can handle all legal filings on your behalf, represent you in the courtroom, and negotiate for compensation if the other side is willing to do so.

What if I am Partially to Blame for the Crash?

Sometimes victims are partially at fault for an accident. Maybe you were breaking a traffic law just before a negligent driver hit your car. Some victims think this disqualifies them from receiving compensation.

However, this is untrue. Your ability to obtain compensation depends on your amount of fault for the accident. Under Oregon’s contributory negligence law, if your percent of fault is 50 percent or less, you can still receive compensation. Your compensation award will be reduced according to your percentage of fault. This means your compensation award would be reduced by 40 percent if you were 40 percent at fault.

This law is applied in the courtroom but may also be applied by insurance companies. This is why it can help to have an attorney representing you. An experienced car accident attorney can work to ensure the law is applied fairly in your case and you are not assigned more blame than you deserve.

Our Portland car accident lawyers want you to receive all the compensation you deserve. We understand how important it is to be compensated when you are injured because of another driver’s negligence.

Types of Common Car Accidents

There are many different auto accidents that occur because of one driver’s negligent or careless actions behind the wheel. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), there were 6,430 car accidents in Portland resulting in 3,380 injuries and 59 fatalities in 2021.

Some of the more common crashes that we see in Portland include:

Head-On Collisions

These are often deadly accidents, particularly when they occur at high speed on busy roadways, like interstates. Head-on crashes occur when one vehicle crashes into the front of another vehicle. Sometimes this results from one driver going the wrong way. No matter who causes these accidents, the occupants of both vehicles are at risk for serious injury or death because of the force of the impact.

Multi-Car Pileups

These are accidents involving multiple vehicles. Occupants of these vehicles can sustain a variety of injuries because these crashes often involve multiple impacts. These accidents are often a chain reaction from one collision – one car hits another, that hits another, that hits another. Often, once the first impact occurs, other drivers in the area are unable to avoid a collision.

Side-Impact Accidents

These are accidents that occur at intersections, whether there are stop signs or traffic lights. One car crashes into the side of another, often as the car with the right of way is passing in front of the car without the right of way. These are often caused by drivers running stop signs or red lights because they are speeding or simply not paying attention.

The sides of cars are not as capable of protecting occupants from a side impact as they are from a rear or frontal impact. This is why these accidents could cause devastating injuries, from broken bones to internal bleeding and organ damage.

Rear-End Collisions

These types of reckless driving accidents often happen at intersections when one car crashes into the back of another that is stopped. Rear end crashes are sometimes referred to as fender benders because people believe the injuries from these accidents are usually not that serious.

However, these injuries can be more serious than people realize. When a car gets hit from behind, the driver’s head can be jolted forward. The driver’s neck causes this forward motion to stop abruptly and the driver can develop whiplash, which can affect you for weeks or months and cause considerable pain.

Drunk-Driving Crashes

Despite increased awareness of the dangers of drunk driving, it still happens far too often and often results in dangerous crashes. Here in the Beaver state, there were a total of 437 alcohol-related fatalities in 2017 (NHTSA). Drunk drivers have impaired judgment, reaction time and vision, making them increasingly likely to operate their vehicles in a dangerous manner that increases the risk for accidents.

Distracted-Driving Crashes

There has been increased attention on distracted driving in recent years because so many drivers operate their vehicles while distracted. Common distractions include texting and driving, talking on the phone while driving, using GPS devices, talking to passengers or adjusting settings on the radio or air conditioning.

Taking your eyes off the road even for a second or two puts you at risk of hitting another car or driving right into danger without realizing it. From 2013- 2017 there were 12,906 car accidents caused by distracted drivers in Oregon that resulted in 95 fatalities. Our state takes distracted driving seriously, and law officials are taking measures to crack down on distracted drivers. In 2017, 7,208 individuals were convicted for using mobile electronics while driving.

Our Portland car accident attorneys have seen many different kinds of accidents in the Portland area. No matter what happened, if you believe negligence was involved, you should seriously consider contacting us to find out if we can help you.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form today to learn more about what we can do for you.

Most Dangerous Intersections in Portland

Intersections are one of the most dangerous places for collisions and injuries. The Portland Bureau of Transportation has identified 26 intersections with the highest number of reported collisions between 2015 and 2019. Below are the top five most dangerous reported intersections in Portland based on total number of crashes, collision rate, and total value of collisions:

  • SE 122nd Ave. & Stark St.
  • SE 122nd Ave. & Division St.
  • SE 82nd Ave. & Powell Blvd.
  • SE 148th Ave. & Stark St.
  • SE 148th Ave. & Powell Blvd.

A known trouble spot may be a factor in a car accident lawsuit. Having evidence of similar collisions over time at the same intersection may help bolster your claim for damages. A Portland car accident lawyer at Rizk Law is ready to review your accident to determine the factors involved.

Call 503.245.5677 now for our free consultation.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Portland

When a car accident occurs, do you know what to do?

Unfortunately, many accident victims are unsure about the appropriate steps to take. Even if they have an idea about what to do, they are shaken up from the crash and struggle to think clearly and avoid being confused.

The car accident attorneys at Rizk Law understand what victims are thinking and feeling after an accident because we have talked to many victims soon after a crash. While our legal team can obtain the information that we need to build a strong lawsuit, there are some post-accident tasks that may help to reinforce your claim:

Seek Treatment

Your accident may very well have been caused by negligence and you may be entitled to compensation. While it is crucial to deal with that aspect of the accident quickly, the first priority is to get your injuries treated by qualified, competent medical professionals at one of our city’s hospitals. This is the only way you will have a chance at making a full recovery, if a full recovery is possible. Medical professionals are the only ones who can accurately diagnose your injuries and provide the appropriate treatment.

Getting medical attention right away is actually part of the process of pursuing compensation. It helps to link your injuries to the accident and makes it more difficult for insurance companies and at-fault parties to make the case that your injuries were caused by something other than the accident.

Make sure to get a copy of your medical records that detail your treatment after the accident and the progress of your recovery. These are essential pieces of evidence – without them you will have a lot of trouble getting compensation.

Search for and Gather Evidence

One of the advantages you have over accident victims in years past is that you have a cellphone with a camera that allows you to take high-quality pictures at the scene. You should try to take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle, along with any of your visible injuries, property damage and anything else you think might be relevant.

There is no such thing as taking too many pictures after an accident because you never know what might be useful later on in building a case.

Another thing you should do is look for witnesses to the crash, such as other drivers, pedestrians or business owners or customers if the accident happened near any businesses. Ask these people what they saw and take notes or record a video on your smartphone, with their permission. Make sure to get their names and contact information so you or your Portland car accident lawyer can contact them in the future.

Work With Law Enforcement

Sometimes, such as with extremely severe accidents, police will be dispatched to the scene without the victim or at-fault driver calling them. However, sometimes it will be up to the victim or other driver to contact the police. Even if you do not think the accident is that serious, you should call the police.

The Portland Police Bureau will investigate the accident if it involved one or more of the following:

Beyond the above criteria, you are also required under Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) reporting requirements, to notify the police about any accident that resulted in:

  • More than $2,500 in damages to any vehicle
  • A vehicle being towed away
  • Death or injury
  • Property damage of more than $2,500

The officer who comes to the scene will complete an accident report after surveying the scene and talking to you and the other driver. This is a vital piece of evidence in your personal injury claim because it is an official record of what occurred, including any traffic citations issued to the other driver. The report may also have the officer’s opinion on who is at fault.

Visit the Portland Public Records Request website to find out how to obtain a copy of the police report on your accident. Unfortunately, it could take up to four weeks to obtain a report and there is also a fee for all records requests.

File an Accident and Insurance Report

Even if an officer files a report, drivers are still required to file an Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report with Driver and Motor Vehicle Services within 72 hours of any accident that had the results mentioned above. If you do not report this type of accident, your driver’s license will be suspended.

Continue Your Treatment

It is absolutely essential that you follow the doctor’s instructions about your treatment and recovery. Attend follow-up appointments and avoid any activities the doctor tells you to avoid. If you do not continue your treatment as ordered, your personal injury claim could fall apart. The insurance company could argue that you are not really hurt or try to devalue your claim.

Our Portland car accident attorneys can explain your options and the steps you should take after an accident to pursue compensation. We have been through this process many times and know what to expect and how to build a strong case.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Portland, OR Today

Car accident injuries can be devastating, causing long-term health problems that some people never fully recover from. At Rizk Law, we know what traffic accident victims go through because we have helped many of them in the Portland area and throughout Oregon.

We are ready to review your accident in a free, no-obligation legal consultation to determine your legal options moving forward. If the accident was caused by negligence, we are prepared to represent you on a contingency fee basis to pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

We have detailed knowledge of the legal process and what it takes to prove negligence occurred. We will launch a comprehensive investigation to determine exactly what happened and the value of the damages you suffered.

Contact Rizk Law today to speak to a trusted Portland car accident attorney.

Local Phone 503-245-5677.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Portland

Why should I hire a car accident lawyer?

Trying to resolve one’s own car accident claim is like trying to play chess with the skills of a checkers player. The board looks familiar but a few moves in, “checkmate” and the game is over. Insurance companies are extremely experienced in getting unrepresented claimants to make statements that will forever undermine the claim. You need an insurance expert on your side to even the playing field.

What type of information should I gather in support of my car accident claim?

Gather the following information after a car accident in Portland, Oregon:

  • Photos of the vehicles involved, the accident scene, and your injuries.
  • Names and contact info for all witnesses.
  • Report numbers for police, fire, and other emergency responders.
  • Name and address of the at-fault driver.
  • For catastrophic losses, the actual cars involved.
  • A list of medical providers.
  • All insurance claims and policy numbers.
  • Names and phone numbers of all claims examiners.
  • MRI, X-rays, and other testing results.

Who will pay my medical expenses while my case is pending?

Oregon law requires every insurance company to provide at least $15k in so-called “PIP” medical coverage to Oregon motorists. This PIP coverage is primary meaning that it is the first level of coverage for motorists with Oregon policies. If and when PIP coverage is exhausted or if the PIP carrier has denied coverage for a medical bill, submit the bill to your private health insurer for payment. If you live in Oregon and do not have health insurance, sign up for Oregon Health Plan so you have a way to pay for medical bills. Here is a link where you can apply for Oregon Health Plan.