Accidents & Injuries in Oregon

Oregon Revised Statutes Section 12.110 provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Government entity claims require a notice of claim within 270 days (about nine months) under ORS 30.275. Missing the government notice deadline may bar your claim. Consulting an Oregon attorney promptly after any accident is advisable.

Yes. Oregon is unique — it is classified as a traditional tort state, but Oregon Revised Statutes Section 742.524 requires mandatory personal injury protection (PIP) coverage with a minimum of $15,000. Your own PIP pays your medical expenses first, regardless of fault. You retain the full right to sue the at-fault driver for all damages beyond PIP, including pain and suffering.

Under Oregon Revised Statutes Section 31.600, if you are 50% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced proportionally. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation from the other party. Oregon requires fault to be apportioned among all contributing parties.

Oregon does not impose a general cap on compensatory damages in most personal injury accident cases. Medical malpractice non-economic damages are capped under Oregon Revised Statutes Section 31.710. Government entity claims may be subject to limitations under ORS Chapter 30. Punitive damages in Oregon require clear and convincing evidence of malice or willful and wanton conduct.