Getting the Facts About Car Accidents in Oregon
How often do car accidents happen in Oregon? The Oregon Department of Transportation provides some of the following facts and figures from its most recent 2017 report:
- 403 fatal crashes occurred in 2017
- More than 28,000 non-fatal injury crashes happened
- 439 people in total sustained fatal injuries in Oregon traffic collisions in 2017
- 41,893 people sustained non-fatal injuries in Oregon car crashes in 2017
- 2,665 children between the ages of 0 and 14 were injured in collisions, while 18 suffered fatal injuries
- Human error accounted for most collisions, including a driver’s failure to avoid a stopped vehicle, driver’s failure to yield the right-of way, speeding, following too closely, distracted driving, and bicyclists and pedestrians disregarding traffic signals
Steps for Seeking Financial Compensation After a Timber Car Crash
Oregon auto insurance law operates on a fault-based system, although it also requires drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage of at least $15,000, which is more common in no-fault states. What this means is that an injured motorist or vehicle occupant can file a first-party claim through his or her own insurance and seek PIP benefits, or the injured party may be able to file a third-party claim through the at-fault driver’s auto insurance. There are benefits and limitations to each approach, and it is important to speak with a Timber car crash lawyer before you make a decision about how to move forward.
Depending upon the severity of your injuries, you may need to file a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver or any other parties who may be liable for your injuries. Keep in mind that you will only have a limited amount of time to file your lawsuit, and insurance claims can go on for quite some time. Your Timber motor vehicle accident lawyer can ensure that your lawsuit is filed within the required time window.
Statute of Limitations for Your Timber Car Accident Lawsuit
The time window in which a person can file a civil lawsuit for a car accident is known as a statute of limitations. Under Oregon law, most injured people in car accidents will have two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit. The clock on this time window begins to tick as soon as the injury occurs. The clock will keep ticking for two years, after which it stops. At this point, the law says that the clock has run out, and the injured party is barred from filing a lawsuit.
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