Oregon car accident laws: what every injured driver should know
Before you accept an insurance offer in Oregon, know the deadline you are working against, how fault will be split, and what real Oregon crashes have resolved for.
How fault works in Oregon
Oregon uses modified comparative fault: your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame, and you recover nothing if you were more than 50% at fault.
Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 31.600
Insurance, and why the other driver’s limit matters
Oregon requires every driver to carry at least $25,000 per person in injury coverage. When an injury costs more than the at-fault driver’s policy, your own coverage becomes the next source of recovery. Uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 / $50,000 is mandatory on every Oregon policy.
Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 742.502
PIP pays first, whoever was at fault
Oregon PIP covers reasonable medical expenses up to at least $15,000 incurred within two years of the crash, plus some lost income, before anyone has decided fault. It does not stop you from bringing a claim against the at-fault driver.
Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 742.524
The 50% line decides whether you recover at all
Because Oregon bars recovery once your fault exceeds 50%, the fault split matters as much as the size of the injury.
Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 31.600
Oregon guides
Car accidents by city in Oregon
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Oregon?
2 years from the crash for injuries (Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1)). Notice of a claim against a public body must be given within 180 days of the injury.
Is Oregon a no-fault state?
No. Oregon is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurer, pays for the injuries they caused. Every Oregon policy includes personal injury protection paying at least $15,000 in medical expenses regardless of who caused the crash.
What if I was partly at fault?
Oregon uses modified comparative fault: your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame, and you recover nothing if you were more than 50% at fault.
What is the minimum car insurance in Oregon?
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $20,000 for property damage (Or. Rev. Stat. § 806.070).
Do I have to report the accident?
A crash causing injury, death, or more than $2,500 in damage must be reported to the DMV within 72 hours. (Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.720)
Hurt in a Oregon crash?
See what Oregon cases like yours resolved for before you talk to an adjuster. Free, about 60 seconds, and a licensed Oregon attorney can review it at no cost.
This page is general information about Oregon law, reviewed September 2026. It is not legal advice, laws change, and the right answer for your claim depends on its facts. CaseChecker.ai is not a law firm; it connects people with independent attorneys licensed in their state.