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Portland Car Accident Attorneys

HURT IN A CAR CRASH? WE’RE HERE TO FIGHT FOR YOU

Serious car accidents take a massive toll—not just on your vehicle and your pocket but on your mental and emotional well-being. After suffering a car accident, you deserve serious support.

This is precisely why many Portlanders have turned to the experienced Portland car accident attorneys at Swanson, Lathen, Prestwich, PC. We proudly serve the entire state from our Salem office, ready to assist no matter where your accident occurred. Our award-winning legal team, whose work has been recognized in Oregon and nationwide, will aggressively fight for the compensation you’re entitled to.

Our Portland car accident law firm is here to help you move beyond your car accident and reclaim your life.

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Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Portland

Step One

Check for Injuries

The most important thing is that you’re not hurt. Cars and belongings can be replaced, but you can’t. If you have any other passengers, check with them as well. Make sure you haven’t sustained any serious injuries.

Step Two

Contact the Police

It’s wise to report the accident to the police. The police will get both sides of the story and file an official accident report. Your insurance company and car accident attorney can work with them later.

Step Three

Exchange Insurance Information

Trade insurance information with the other driver. Take a picture of their insurance card and use that information when you file your claim with your insurance company.

Step Four

Gather Evidence

While everything’s still fresh, document as much as you can. Take pictures of all vehicle damage (your vehicle and any others involved), visible injuries, skid marks, debris, and the overall scene. Get pictures of license plates, insurance cards, and driver’s licenses. Write down what happened while the details are clear in your mind. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information before they leave. This evidence can make or break your claim later, especially if the other driver’s story changes.

Step Five

Contact SLP Law

If you were badly injured in your car accident, contact the car accident lawyers at Swanson, Lathen, Prestwich, PC. We are some of the best car accident lawyers in Portland, Oregon, with a history of earning clients fair rewards. Contact us for a free consultation, and let us join you. We don’t get paid unless you do.

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Auto accident injury victim with wrapped up arm signing documents on a table.

Portland Car Accident Resources

Getting into a car accident throws everything into chaos. You’re trying to figure out if you need a doctor, whether the police will come out, and what happens next with your insurance. We’ve put together the contacts and resources you’ll actually need in Portland.

Emergency & Non-Emergency Contacts

  • 911 for life-threatening injuries
  • 503-823-3333 for non-emergency dispatch (24/7) to report collisions without immediate injuries
  • 3-1-1 for general questions or help with police reports (7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily)

Trauma Centers

Both have surgeons on staff 24/7 for serious injuries.

Filing a Crash Report with Oregon DMV

Oregon law requires you to file a Traffic Collision and Insurance Report with the DMV within 72 hours if your crash involved:

  • Injury or death (no matter how minor)
  • More than $2,500 damage to your vehicle
  • More than $2,500 damage to anyone’s property (not just vehicles)
  • Any vehicle towed from the scene

You can file online with the new online collision reporting system or download the paper form to submit in person. Even if police filed a report, you still need to file your own. Missing this deadline can result in suspension of your driving privileges. As Portland car accident lawyers, we will help you with all of the paperwork you need to submit.

Portland Car Accident Lawyers

Before speaking with insurance, consult a personal injury attorney who specializes in car accidents. At SLP, your consultation is free, and you don’t pay anything unless we win. We offer consultations in person, by phone, or via video.

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Cases We’ve Won

11,000,000
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1,500,000
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538,000
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What You Need to Know About Car Accidents in Portland

DMV Collision Reporting Requirements

Oregon law requires you to file a Traffic Collision and Insurance Report with the DMV within 72 hours if the crash involved injury, death, more than $2,500 in vehicle damage, property damage over $2,500, or any vehicle being towed. You can file online or submit a paper form. Missing this deadline can get your license suspended, even if police filed their own report.

Oregon’s Comparative Negligence Rule

Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 51% at fault for the accident. If you’re found 20% responsible, your settlement gets reduced by 20%. Insurance companies often try to pin more blame on you to pay out less, so having a lawyer who knows how to fight back matters.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage

All Oregon drivers have to carry PIP, and it pays out whether you caused the crash or not. It covers up to $15,000 in medical bills, replaces 70% of your paycheck (maxing out at $3,000 a month), and pays for help around the house when you’re hurt. But $15,000 disappears fast when you’re dealing with surgery, physical therapy, or time off work.

Statute of Limitations

You’ve got two years to sue after a car accident in Oregon. That sounds like plenty of time until you realize it took six months just to finish treatment and figure out how bad the injuries really were. And if you got hit by someone driving for the city or state? You only have 180 days to file paperwork, or you lose your right to compensation.

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Two cars in head-on collision car accident

Tirelessly Advocating for You

You’re never alone with the award-winning legal team at Swanson, Lathen, Prestwich, PC. Our Portland car accident lawyers walk you through the legal process from start to finish. Here’s how:

Step One

File Your Claim

Our expert car accident attorneys start by helping you navigate the claims process. We’ll manage the critical legal paperwork and handle all communication on your behalf. We take over all of this so you can focus on returning to normal.

Step Two

Receive an Offer and Make Counteroffers

Once you have recovered, we’ll gather the rest of the documents that make up the evidence in your case, put together a demand letter laying out the legal theories and arguments, and go to bat for you. Insurance companies then make an initial offer—this is where the seasoned experts at Swanson, Lathen, Prestwich, PC do their best work.

We negotiate with the insurer and hold firm until they give you a fair agreement. We’ll file your case in court if they refuse. There, we’ll advocate for you against the insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.

Step Three

Get Your Payout

Once we’ve agreed on your settlement amount, we’ll prepare your case for final resolution. We’ll negotiate and pay any liens, confirm that your medical bills have been paid, ensure no outstanding payments, and then get a check for your settlement funds. We only take a fee if we win your case.

Don’t risk losing out on the compensation you deserve. Contact our law firm and work with someone who knows what to do and can perform at a high level to maximize all sources. We’re proud to have won multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements across Oregon.

Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Portland

Car accident injuries range from minor to life-altering. If you have been hurt in a car accident, you will need strong legal representation to ensure the offending party pays for all of your medical expenses. Some of the most common injuries we see from car accidents include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries. A TBI can severely affect movement, speech, concentration, and memory.
  • Abrasions and road rash. Colliding with objects in or out of your car can lead to serious injuries to the skin. More serious abrasions and deep wounds may need stitches, skin grafts, or surgery. These wounds can take months or years of recovery time.
  • Broken bones. Facial and dental fractures are the most common, along with broken arms, legs, ribs, shoulders, and ankles.
  • Internal bleeding. The extreme force from a car crash can severely injure internal organs and cause internal injuries not visible to the naked eye.
  • Spinal injuries. The severe impact of a car wreck can cause various degrees of paralysis, and back and neck injuries, leaving you with tall medical bills and an altered lifestyle.
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Couple Inside Car After Road Traffic Accident With Male Driver Suffering Whiplash Injury
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A man with his head in his hands, sitting on the side of the road after a car accident.

Car Accident Statistics

Below are quick facts from Oregon car accidents in 2020:

  • Nearly 28,000 people were injured in Oregon car accidents. Of this number, over 500 were killed.
  • The top three driver errors leading to a crash are failing to avoid a stopped or parked vehicle, failure to yield to the right of way, and running off the road.
  • Over 17% of fatal car crashes involve a driver between the ages of 15 and 20.
  • The most common type of non-fatal car accident is a rear-end crash.
  • The most common fatal car accidents involve a fixed object.
  • Over 20% of injured passengers are children ages 0 to 14.

Types of Auto Accidents in Portland

SLP Law serves victims involved in a myriad of car accidents. Some common types of car accidents that we represent include:

  • Rear-end collision. This is the most common type of car accident, and injuries can be minor to severe depending on speed, location, and vehicle type. SLP Law provides experienced legal representation for accidents like this.
  • Head-on collision. Statistically, this is one of the most deadly forms of car accident. Victims of head-on collisions can sustain serious injuries including traumatic brain injuries and paralysis.
  • Rollovers. These have a high rate of fatality and injury. Sometimes, rollovers can be attributed to unsafe roads. They may involve a single vehicle or multiple vehicles.
  • Drunk driving accidents. A drunk driver can be held liable for all damages in a car accident and may face the fullest extent of the law. Hire the experts at SLP Law to ensure you have the best representation.
  • Distracted driver cases. Distracted driving accidents can be even more dangerous than drunk driving accidents. Culprits of distracted driving can even serve jail time.
  • Lyft/Uber accidents. Navigating insurance with a rideshare corporation can be a challenge and it may be difficult to obtain money owed to you. Let SLP Law handle the corporate red tape so you can keep living your life.
  • Multiple vehicle crashes. Multiple vehicles in a crash can make coordinating with each driver’s insurance even more complicated. SLP Law can help guide the way.
  • T-bone accidents. These can cause serious injury and expensive fixes to your car. SLP Law can get you the compensation you deserve.
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Stressed Driver Sitting At Roadside After Traffic Accident

Client Reviews

Swanson Lathen Prestwich, PC
4.6
Based on 59 reviews
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Arthur Porter
19:21 04 Jan 23
I was involved in an accident, and was having difficulties dealing with my insurance company.
One of my neighbors recommended me to Brian Lathen, after a very prompt meeting I retained his services.
Durring a long and tiring process, the staff at Swanson Lathen and Prestwich made me feel so much more comfortable, and helped greatly in getting through it.
Along with now having a trusted lawyer/allie to call if anything unexpectedly happens in the future. I feel like I had made a friend.
Thank you.
Mindy Michelle
21:53 15 Dec 22
Swanson Lathen Prestwich is a Godsend!

I was in a terrible car crash, literally caused by another person who admitted fault to the police, to their own insurance, to my insurance and I STILL had to fight for fair compensation. Realizing I needed to get a lawyer involved, an acquaintance recommended Travis Prestwich.

After meeting Mr. Prestwich, I was immediately at ease. He was very knowledgeable, kind, welcoming and realistic. I appreciated that he actually listened to me and provided information that helped me get into the right mind frame. Travis was very patient and kind and responded to questions rather quickly. I appreciated his realistic approach and learned quickly that other lawyers, judges and community members, highly respect him; which was a huge sign that he was the right person for my situation!

His staff, Carrie Meeker and Jennifer Hiser were equally phenomenal during the process! They were also very kind, empathetic, knowledgeable and responded to inquires in a timely manner and were just wonderful to work with. As odd as this sounds, I really enjoyed talking with them and knew that once my case with over with that I would miss all three of them.

When the time came, and I had to go through a settlement hearing, Travis was by my side the whole way through. The unknown always frightens me but he found a way to keep me at ease with his calm demeanor. This review doesn’t even do this trio justice! They are wonderful people and did a phenomenal job on my case.

I pray I never have to go through this process again however if I do, Travis will be the very first person I call. I HIGHLY recommend Swanson Lathen Prestwich and Travis Prestwich, Carrie Meeker and Jennifer Hiser!! I wish there were more people out there like them! I give them an A+++
Molly
04:43 21 Oct 22
Mr. Prestwich and his entire staff were nothing but kind, supportive and professional through the entire process of helping me with my car accident settlement. The outcome was exactly what I had hoped for and it was all because of the hard work that was done by this office.
Captain Morgan
13:53 17 Oct 22
Myself and my family have worked with Keith Swanson since the late 80's.
Unfortunately when an accident occurs you need to make good decisions.
You can't go wrong with Keith.
He's an amazing man. Honest, straight forward and well respected in the industry.
Not to mention one of the best accident attorneys in the profession.
Thank you Keith, and Chris.
Nathan Cook
00:34 18 Jan 18
Great Services! Helpful reception. Brian Lathen was great and helped a lot.

Portland Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes. You could still recover damages if you were partially at fault for a car accident. This is called comparative fault. In these cases, insurance will determine what amount of damages you incurred during the accident, then they’ll subtract a percentage from that amount depending on how liable you were for the accident. So if your losses were $10,000 and you were twenty percent at fault, you’d be entitled to $8,000.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

If you experience an accident with an uninsured driver, you should still go through the typical steps of any other accident. Check your and your passengers’ health to ensure no one is injured. Get to a safe place. If they don’t have insurance, your best options are to file a compensation claim with your insurance company or file a lawsuit against the negligent party.

Why should I choose a Portland-based attorney for my case?

If you’ve experienced a wreck in the Portland area, having a local car accident attorney can be very beneficial. A Portland auto accident attorney will be intimately familiar with local laws and statutes to give you the best possible outcome for the case. The experts at Swanson, Lathen, Prestwich, PC are a prime example, earning millions in settlements for past clients.

What is the process for filing a car accident claim in Portland?

If you’ve experienced a car accident in Portland, you’ll want to follow the same steps anywhere else. Check for injuries on yourself and your passengers, call the police, exchange insurance information with the other driver, file an insurance claim, and contact a personal injury attorney if you’ve been hurt.

However, in Oregon, you must report an accident to the DMV within 72 hours of the event if the damages exceed $2500. This includes instances where no other vehicles were involved in the accident. For more info, visit this official Oregon web page.

What damages can I pursue after a Portland car accident?

If someone else caused the crash, we go after the full impact, both the bills you can add up and the fallout you feel every day. Depending on your case, that can include:

  • Medical expenses, including future treatment, rehab, and prescriptions
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to the same work
  • Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage and practical costs like a rental car, towing, and mileage to appointments
  • Long-term effects like disability, scarring, or disfigurement

If your family is dealing with a fatal crash, we can also talk through wrongful death damages and what support may be available.

If you want a clearer picture of what your claim could include, we’ll review the details in a free case review and give you a straight answer.

Our Car Accident Attorneys

Play VideoBrian LathenPlay Video

Brian Lathen – Car Accident & Personal Injury Attorney

Mr. Lathen has been practicing Oregon personal injury law for twenty years. As a young man, he dedicated two years to serving a religious mission in Argentina, where he became fluent in Spanish. He received a Bachelor of Arts in international studies at the University of Oregon in 2001 and his Juris Doctor from the Willamette University College of Law in 2004. Mr. Lathen has been named to The National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 under 40” and selected as an Oregon Super Lawyer.

Play VideoTravis PrestwichPlay Video

Travis Prestwich – Car Accident & Personal Injury Attorney

In 1996, Mr. Prestwich graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public policy. In 2000, he earned his Juris Doctorate from Willamette University College of Law. Mr. Prestwich is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, invitation-only organizations consisting of attorneys who have recovered verdicts or settlements of $1 million or more. He serves on the Campaign for Equal Justice’s steering committee, which is dedicated to providing legal services to low-income Oregonians.

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We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, and if we take your case on, there is no fee unless we win. Let us know how we can help you!