Oregon requires PIP but still lets you pursue the at-fault driver. Portland's I-5 and I-84 corridors are often congested, and the Cascade passes on US-26 and US-97 bring snow and ice. Rain-slick roads west of the mountains are a factor for much of the year.
Is Oregon a no-fault state?
No — Oregon is an at-fault state. Oregon is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the crash — through their liability insurer — is generally responsible for the injured person's losses. You can usually file a claim with that insurer, with your own insurer, or file a lawsuit.
Oregon requires PIP coverage even though it is an at-fault state.
Learn more in our guide to what a no-fault state is.
How does shared fault work in Oregon?
Oregon follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar. Your recovery may be reduced by your share of fault, and you generally cannot recover if you are found more than 50% responsible.
For example, if you were found 20% at fault for a crash in Oregon, your compensation could be reduced by 20%. If your share reached the 51% bar, you could be barred from recovering from the other driver.
Read more: what comparative fault means.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Oregon?
In Oregon, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury, with some exceptions.
Other deadlines can be much shorter. Your insurance policy may require prompt notice of the crash, PIP and uninsured-motorist claims can have their own timelines, and claims against a city, county or the State of Oregon often need formal notice within months. Different rules can also apply to minors and wrongful death claims.
What are Oregon's minimum car insurance requirements?
Oregon requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage.
Minimum limits are often not enough to cover a serious injury. If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, medical payments coverage or PIP may help. See what to do if an uninsured driver hit you.
What should I do after a car accident in Oregon?
Get safe, get medical care and protect your evidence. These steps apply anywhere in Oregon:
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and move out of traffic if it's safe — especially on busy roads like I-5 or I-84.
- Call the police and ask how to get the crash report. Oregon generally requires reporting crashes that cause injury, death or significant damage.
- Exchange names, insurance and plate numbers, and photograph the vehicles, the scene and your injuries.
- Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- See a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine — Oregon PIP claims can depend on prompt treatment.
- Notify your own insurer, but be careful about giving the other driver's insurer a recorded statement.
- Talk to an independent Oregon attorney before signing any release, keeping the two years deadline in mind.
Our full what to do after a car accident guide goes into more detail.
Where do car accidents happen in Oregon?
Crashes happen everywhere, but traffic is heaviest in and around Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, Hillsboro and Bend. Major routes include I-5, I-84, I-205, I-405, US-26 and US-97. Our attorney-matching service covers every county in Oregon.