What to do after a car accident in Oregon
The first hours and days after a crash decide much of what a claim can later prove. These are the steps, in the order they matter.
1. Get safe and call 911 if anyone is hurt
Move out of traffic if you can do so safely, turn on hazard lights, and call 911 if anyone is injured. A police response creates an independent record of the scene.
2. Make the report Oregon requires
A crash causing injury, death, or more than $2,500 in damage must be reported to the DMV within 72 hours.
Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.720
3. Document the scene
Photograph every vehicle from several angles, their final positions, the road, skid marks, traffic signals and signs, and your injuries. Get the other driver’s name, license, plate and insurance. Take names and phone numbers of witnesses — they are the hardest evidence to recover later.
4. Get medical care the same day or the next
Adrenaline hides injuries, and soft-tissue and head injuries often show up a day or two later. A gap between the crash and your first medical visit is the argument adjusters use most often to say your injury came from somewhere else.
Every Oregon policy includes personal injury protection paying at least $15,000 in medical expenses regardless of who caused the crash.
5. Be careful with the other driver’s insurer
You do not have to give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement. Anything you say — including “I’m fine” on the day of the crash — can be used to reduce the claim. Report the crash to your own insurer as your policy requires.
6. Do not accept the first offer before you know what cases like yours resolved for
Early offers are made before the full cost of treatment is known, and a signed release ends the claim permanently. Before you sign anything, compare your situation with real verdicts and settlements from similar crashes.
7. Keep the deadlines in view
Oregon gives you 2 years to file an injury lawsuit (Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1)). If a government vehicle or a road defect was involved, a much shorter clock applies. Notice of a claim against a public body must be given within 180 days of the injury.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Oregon?
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)
Should I see a doctor if I feel fine?
Yes. Many crash injuries appear hours or days later, and a prompt medical record protects both your health and your claim.
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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.