Motorcycle accidents in Oregon
Riders are more likely to be seriously hurt in a crash and more likely to be blamed for it. Two rules come up in almost every motorcycle claim: the helmet law and the lane-splitting law.
Oregon’s helmet law
Every motorcycle rider and passenger must wear a helmet.
Not wearing a required helmet can be raised to argue that part of a head injury was the rider’s own fault. It does not excuse the driver who caused the crash.
Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 814.269
Lane splitting
Lane filtering is legal in limited conditions: on roads with a speed limit of 50 mph or more, when traffic is moving 10 mph or slower, at no more than 20 mph.
Source: Oregon SB 574 (2021)
Bias against riders
The most common motorcycle crash is a car turning left across the rider’s path, with the driver saying they “never saw” the bike. Not seeing a vehicle that was there to be seen is a failure to keep a lookout, not a defense — but adjusters routinely open with the assumption that the rider was speeding.
Fault and deadlines
Under Oregon’s modified comparative fault rule, a driver found 30% at fault recovers 70% of their damages — but a driver found more than 50% at fault recovers nothing.
Oregon’s injury deadline is 2 years (Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1)).
Frequently asked questions
Is lane splitting legal in Oregon?
Lane filtering is legal in limited conditions: on roads with a speed limit of 50 mph or more, when traffic is moving 10 mph or slower, at no more than 20 mph.
Do I have to wear a helmet in Oregon?
Every motorcycle rider and passenger must wear a helmet.
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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.