1. Rosenbaum Law Group
Focus Area: Complex personal injury litigation with emphasis on trial preparedness
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, electric scooter accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber, Lyft), distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, uninsured motorist claims, bad faith insurance claims
Background: The firm achieved one of the largest personal injury verdicts in Oregon history. All attorneys have been named to the Super Lawyers list, and the firm has been recognized on the nationwide list published by Best Lawyers. Attorneys hold leadership positions in local and state bar associations and in their areas of practice.
Location: Portland, Oregon
Contact: (503) 227-2027 | https://www.rosenbaumlawgroup.com/
Consultation: Free consultation. Cases handled on contingency with no fees upfront. Costs are advanced on the client’s behalf.
2. Mayor Law, LLC
Focus Area: Personal injury representation by a former insurance defense attorney
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, premises liability, slip and fall injuries, product liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Background: Travis Mayor is the founding attorney and previously worked as an insurance defense lawyer, providing insight into how insurance companies evaluate and defend against claims. The firm has over a decade of experience and maintains over seventy 5-star reviews across Google, Yelp, and AVVO. All clients have direct access to the attorney throughout their case.
Location: Portland, Oregon (with additional office in Tigard)
Contact: (503) 444-2825 | https://www.mayorlaw.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee basis with no fees unless the firm secures a recovery.
3. Law Offices of Jon Friedman
Focus Area: Family-run boutique firm with multi-generational experience
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, slip and fall injuries
Background: Father-and-son attorneys Jon M. Friedman and Jon D. Friedman lead the firm. Since 1984, the firm has served injured victims throughout Oregon and resolved thousands of cases successfully. Attorneys handle all aspects of cases from investigation through negotiation or trial.
Location: Portland, Oregon
Contact: (503) 223-2486 | https://www.jonathanmfriedman.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available via phone, email, or in person. Home visits available for clients unable to travel.
4. Sears Injury Law
Focus Area: Personal injury representation with access to medical experts and litigation resources
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, amputation injuries
Background: The firm has over 100 years of combined attorney experience and has recovered over $300 million for accident victims in the last five years. Attorneys work with medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists to build cases.
Location: Portland, Oregon
Contact: (503) 446-5127 | https://searsinjurylaw.com/portland-personal-injury-lawyer/
Consultation: Free case evaluation available.
5. Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers
Focus Area: Insurance and personal injury law with client-first approach
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, slip and fall injuries, premises liability
Background: Aaron Tillmann founded the firm and brings nearly 20 years of experience in injury and insurance law. The firm has secured millions of dollars for Oregon accident victims. Tillmann’s personal experience with a personal injury claim shapes his approach to client representation.
Location: Portland, Oregon
Contact: (503) 233-8080 | https://tillmannlaw.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee arrangement with no upfront costs and no fees unless the firm obtains a recovery.
Personal Injury Laws in Oregon
Statute of Limitations
Oregon law provides a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims under ORS 12.110. The deadline runs from the date of the injury or, in cases where the injury was not immediately apparent, from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Wrongful death claims have a three-year statute of limitations from the date of death under ORS 30.020. Medical malpractice claims follow the two-year discovery rule but have an absolute outer limit of five years from the date of treatment, except in cases of fraud, deceit, or intentional concealment. Product liability claims have a ten-year statute of repose from the date of purchase.
Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence standard under ORS 31.600. An injured party can recover damages as long as their fault does not exceed 50 percent. If the injured party is found to be 51 percent or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any damages. When the injured party bears some fault but less than 51 percent, their total recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $70,000.
Damage Caps
Oregon does not impose damage caps on most personal injury claims. There are no caps on economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages. Oregon places a $500,000 cap on non-economic damages only in wrongful death cases, not in general personal injury cases. Punitive damages are available in cases involving particularly egregious conduct.
At-Fault Insurance System
Oregon is an at-fault state for auto insurance purposes. The driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the resulting injuries and damages. Injured parties have three options for seeking compensation: file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, or file a claim with their own insurance company (which may then seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurer).
Auto Insurance Requirements
Oregon requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $20,000 for property damage. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is required at a minimum of $15,000 per person, which pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and essential services regardless of fault. Uninsured motorist coverage is required at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury.
Government Claims Notice
Claims against public bodies in Oregon require compliance with the Oregon Tort Claims Act under ORS 30.260-30.300. A notice of claim must be filed within 180 days of the injury for non-fatal claims. This notice requirement is separate from the two-year statute of limitations for filing the actual lawsuit. Failure to provide timely notice can bar the claim entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Oregon require PIP insurance if it is an at-fault state?
Oregon requires Personal Injury Protection coverage even though it operates as an at-fault state to ensure injured parties have immediate access to medical expense coverage and lost wage benefits regardless of who caused an accident. PIP pays your own expenses quickly without waiting for fault determination. Unlike no-fault states that restrict lawsuits, Oregon allows you to use PIP benefits and still pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, full lost wages, and damages exceeding your PIP limits. This dual system provides immediate coverage while preserving your full legal rights.
What is the 180-day notice requirement for claims against the City of Portland or Oregon state agencies?
If a city-owned vehicle, defective city property, or negligent state employee causes your injury, you must file a formal notice of claim with the government entity within 180 days of the incident. This is a strict deadline under the Oregon Tort Claims Act. Missing this window typically bars your claim entirely, even if you would otherwise have two years to file a lawsuit. The notice must identify the claimant, describe the injury, and state when and where it occurred. Government claims have additional procedural requirements not applicable to claims against private parties.
How does Oregon handle accidents where both drivers share fault?
Oregon’s modified comparative negligence rule allows you to recover damages if your fault does not exceed 50 percent. A jury assigns fault percentages to each party based on the evidence. If you are 25 percent at fault and the other driver is 75 percent at fault, your damages award is reduced by 25 percent. If you are found 51 percent or more at fault, however, you recover nothing. Insurance adjusters often raise comparative negligence arguments during settlement negotiations, so gathering evidence to minimize your assigned fault is important.
What is the difference between the two-year statute of limitations and the discovery rule in Oregon?
The standard two-year deadline begins on the date of injury for cases where the harm is immediately obvious, such as a car accident with visible injuries. The discovery rule applies when an injury or its cause is not immediately apparent. Under the discovery rule, the two-year period begins when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury and its connection to someone’s negligence. This commonly arises in medical malpractice cases where a surgical error causes complications that appear months or years later. However, even with the discovery rule, absolute outer limits apply. Medical malpractice claims cannot be filed more than five years after treatment regardless of when discovery occurs.
Can I recover damages if I was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of my Portland car accident?
Oregon’s seatbelt law does not automatically bar recovery, but evidence that you were not wearing a seatbelt may be used to argue that you contributed to your own injuries. If a jury finds that your injuries would have been less severe had you worn a seatbelt, they may assign a percentage of fault to you under comparative negligence principles. Your damage award would then be reduced by that percentage. Whether seatbelt non-use affects your case depends on the specific injuries and whether the seatbelt would have made a difference. Consulting an attorney can help assess how this evidence might impact your claim.