Portland Car Accident Attorney
If you have been seriously injured in an Oregon car accident, you may have a lot of questions and feel like you have no place to turn. The insurance company is making you anxious by calling and sending you letters and forms. Do I have to call them back? What if I don’t send in these forms?
Information on the internet is often not credible. You can’t afford to make a mistake. Do yourself a favor and call for a free consultation and give yourself some peace of mind. We are here to answer your questions and help you get back to focusing on your recovery and the wellbeing of your family.
After we talk, if you decide you need representation, we can discuss that. But that is your choice on your timeline. We will never pressure you. Before making that call, you may want to have some information.
Oregon car accident laws you need to know
Statutes of limitations
The first thing you should be aware of is the statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is a law that places a deadline on when you must file and serve a lawsuit or lose your opportunity.
ORS 12.110 Generally, in Oregon, the statute of limitations for car accident cases is two years for an injury. ORS 30.020 The statute of limitations in Oregon is three years in a wrongful death case. ORS 12.160 There are exceptions that can lengthen the time, such as being a minor or mentally handicapped when the injury occurred. ORS 30.275 But be aware that there can be shorter notice deadlines if the at-fault driver is working for a public body. In that case, you must give the public entity notice within six months for an injury or one year for a death.It is a good idea to consult with an experienced Oregon car accident lawyer well in advance of your statute of limitations. Make sure you do not miss any critical deadlines.
Comparative fault in Oregon
It is also important to understand how Oregon law handles situations where more than one driver may be at fault. Some states have laws that prevent you from recovering any money if you were even one percent at fault for the crash. In those states, the other driver could be 99% at fault but not have to pay anything. Other states use various methods to compare the negligence of the parties.
ORS 31.600 Oregon is a modified comparative fault state. What that means is that the jury determines who is at fault for the crash. If the jury finds that more than one driver was at fault, then the jury determines the percentage of fault for each driver. If the plaintiff (person bringing the lawsuit) is 51% at fault or more, then they recover nothing. Put another way, if you are more at fault than the other driver, you recover nothing, even when the other driver did have some fault. If the plaintiff has some fault, but it does not get to 51%, then the plaintiff recovers their damages reduced by their percentage of fault. For instance, if the plaintiff were found to be 10% at fault, the verdict would be reduced by 10% by the court.Portland Rideshare Regulations
For information about cases involving Uber, Lyft and other rideshare companies go to our Uber page.
Oregon car accident statistics
In 2017 439 people lost their lives on Oregon roads. Of those, 56 were motorcyclists, 10 were bicyclists, 73 were pedestrians, and 314 were car or truck occupants. Multnomah County had the highest number of fatalities at 58. If we look at deaths by month, we learn that the summer months are the deadliest.
Oregon motor vehicle accident injury and fatality map – 2017
Help from an experienced Portland car accident attorney
You have a right to recover for your damages. Your damages include pain and suffering, lost income, past, and future medical expenses, the lost capacity to earn a living, and other reasonable and necessary damages. Our job is to make sure you get a full and fair recovery. We have experience handling automobile accident cases throughout Oregon.
Most motor vehicle accident cases involve insurance. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will be the ones paying any settlement or verdict. Therefore, they will hire a lawyer for their driver and begin preparing the defense case right away. You should have an experienced Portland motor vehicle and truck accident lawyer building your case.
We make sure that insurance companies pay victims fairly by preparing every case for trial. We only advise accepting a settlement when the insurance company offers an amount of money that is fair. Insurance companies only offer fair compensation when they know that the victim’s lawyer is prepared for trial and has experience trying cases. They know we are more than happy to let a jury decide what your compensation should be.
What a good Portland car accident attorney can do
- Get All The Evidence. We find witnesses and get their statements, gather physical evidence, get pictures and video if there is any, talk to investigating officers, and have experts help when accidents have complicated issues we need to understand. We talk to doctors to understand your injuries and future prognosis. We gather evidence of wage losses or lost earning capacity. We get all the evidence ready to present so that a jury can understand it if it comes to that.
- Calculate All Your Damages. We have to prove all your damages. This includes past medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, decreased earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other related costs. We know how to accurately calculate your damages so that you leave nothing on the table. We can discuss pain and suffering with you so that you know what is realistic in your case. We know how to present these damages to a jury if necessary in a way that they can understand and act upon. We have a history of obtaining considerable pain and suffering verdicts in relation to the economic damages awarded.
- Negotiate With The Defense. Once we have all the facts and know what your damages are, it is time to get what you are entitled to. This can be very difficult. Insurance companies will not pay you full value unless you force them to. They often do not negotiate fairly. We generally file lawsuits and start preparing for trial. Only then will the insurance companies take you seriously. Sometimes they still do not. Sometimes mediation is helpful, but there comes a time when negotiations stop, and a trial is inevitable.
- Try Your Case To A Verdict If Necessary. More than ninety percent of all personal injury cases settle. But not every case can be settled unless you want to accept far less than a fair settlement value. Sometimes the defense does not think they are at fault or does not believe the value of the case is what you do. You need to have an experienced and willing trial lawyer. If you hire a lawyer that only has experience settling cases, you put all your hopes on the other side being fair. If they aren’t fair in your case, it may be too late to change lawyers and get someone who is qualified. It is critically important to get a qualified vehicle accident attorney from the very beginning.
We’ve helped many others, let us help you
We’ve helped many motor vehicle accident victims in Portland and throughout Oregon. We are proud of our results and encourage you to review our Results page. You can also look at our five-star Google reviews. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, call Chad Stavley today and get your free and confidential consultation.
Chad helped me resolve a legal matter and I was very satisfied with the result. He was professional and always quick to respond as well as thorough and knowledgeable. Would not hesitate to recommend him.
Chad advised my husband and I on a legal matter and was thoroughly professional, helpful, and wise. We felt very confident in following his advice and would not hesitate to ask for his assistance in future. He’s also very easy to talk to!
Chad is personable and caring. He will continue to seek out all possibilities for building that strong case. His staff is very professional and compliment Chad
First I want to thank Chad for all he did for me. I would highly recommend Chad to anyone looking for an attorney for a personal injury case. I was involved in a serious car accident December 2017. When the bills started pouring in was when I decided I needed an attorney. So glad Chad was the attorney recommended for me. Met with Chad in February 2018 and he has been representing me since then. He made everything so easy on me. Summer 2018 we filed for a trial that was later scheduled for June 2019. Chad and his staff (Stephanie) always kept me in the loop of what was going on via email and/or phone, and always explained things so I understood what was happening. About 3 weeks before trial date, in May 2019 the defendant(s) asked for mediation. Chad was able to get a settlement for me without going to trial. Such a relief it’s all over and no trial. So thankful for everything that was done for me by Chad and his office. Again, I highly recommend Chad to anyone needing an attorney specializing in personal injury. I wouldn’t hesitate to call Chad if I ever needed his help again. Special thanks to you Chad. Lindaread more
My wife was involved in a traffic accident and sustained a minor injury. The other driver’s insurance company “determined” it was 50% my wife’s fault even after providing them with proof that their insured driver caused the accident. Within two weeks of Chad taking our case, the other insurance company agreed to pay 100% of the damages. Chad’s expertise in dealing with insurance companies is outstanding. Chad definitely got the result we had hoped for in a timely manner. We will be hiring Chad for all of our future legal needs.read more
Chad represented me in two lawsuits with great results. I couldn’t be happier with his work. He works so hard, and really cares about his clients. A terrific lawyer.
My wife was injured in a car crash and not at fault. The insurance company was less than responsive and didn’t communicate or negotiate with us at all. I knew Chad from when he was a prosecutor at Multnomah County and so I called him for advice. Chad was amazing. From the initial consultation to the final settlement he was always there to answer questions and keep us informed. Chad was able to negotiate us a settlement that was drastically better than what the insurance company had offered initially. Chad has tremendous ethical and moral character and is well respected in the industry. I would highly recommend him.read more
I was in a car accident last July that was not my fault. Chad was approachable, thorough, and professional. In the end, the other driver settled with us. I appreciated Chad’s honest approach of providing me with all of the information, allowing me to ask numerous questions, and ultimately encouraging me to make the final decision with all of the facts in hand. I highly recommend Chad if you find yourself in a situation that you need excellent representation.read more
Chad and his team were just amazing and what I needed have my accident. I knew nothing about being hit by an uninsured motorist and what I could do. They were so helpful, very personable, and kind. They handled everything and kept me update on the progression of the case. I would highly recommend that if anyone is in this situation, to not look for anyone else.read more
Chad is a great person and an excellent attorney. I was rear ended by a semi on I5 and suffered multiple soft tissue injuries and the total loss of my vehicle, loss wages, etc. Thanks to Chad’s integrity and professionalism my case was settled fairly and promptly.
Chad and his team helped me navigate an uninsured driver/bicycling injury. While I spoke to other attorneys; I felt Chad was the most personable. I also feel that hiring Chad was a wonderful choice because he was able to explain the process, his paralegals reached out regularly to keep me looped in, and the settlement wrapped rather quickly. I’d recommend hiring him to anyone whom wants a trustworthy representative, and a pleasant experience with excellent results.read more
Chad and his staff where great! I worked with Chad for almost three years through a personal injury case. From our first meeting till the very end I knew that he had my best interested in mind. He kept me informed through out the entire process and took the time to explain every step and matter of the case to me and in a way that I could understand as these cases can get confusing and overwhelming. Not only did he handle my case very well but he went above and beyond several times to do things that were not required or expected, to makes things better or easier for me. He is not just a great attorney but also just genuinely a good person. He is an advocate for his clients and empathetic to what one has just gone through during a traumatic injury. You could only benefit by having Chad by your side during a situation like this.read more
Back in January I was on my way home from work and I had the right away through the intersection as I was going to the intersection of the lady T-boned me after that came horrible pain stress and depression I didn’t think that I would be in the situation I am today unfortunately after seven months I’m still going through this pain and dealing what the problem is that I have been left with from the accident that was not my fault a few months ago I seek to help I looked around town to see who could help represent me and my family because I was being overwhelmed with medical bills and I felt like I needed someone’s help so that’s when I found Chad and his team I had met with a few others around town and was not happy with the meet and greet but when I met Chad he was very nice and attentive we talked on the phone for about 45 minutes after that he said why don’t you come down to my office and we can get the ball rolling for you at the same time I was very nervous and very skeptical on trying to find a lawyer because I did not want to get in any kind of debt not knowing what I could get and what was the title to me after meeting with Chad and letting him know everything he assured me that he would be able to help me I just want to say thank you shara and his team thank you for looking out for my family and for myself I couldn’t have done it without you and I appreciate you and I feel protected now and that he’s on my side When I was involved in this accident I did not know that they would’ve left me out of work for seven months drain my savings account and changed all great plans my family and I had it’s still very stressful and I’m still going through with my family but Chad and his team have definitely helped and are continuing to help me in my situationread more
Chad is a great guy to work with, very down to earth and easy to talk to. He worked with me on the wrongful death case of my husband, and I couldn’t be happier with his quick responses and approach. I highly recommend him to anyone who wants an attorney that is knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile for his clients.
Chad took my case after I was in a severe car accident in which an impaired driver with no insurance was at fault. After a year of Chad working on my case, he was able to not only significantly reduce my medical bills, but as a result, was able to get some settlementment money for me. He was always great about staying in contact and I never felt rushed. Chad took the time to explain the case clearly and was even complimented by the D.A. office handling the criminal side of the accident. After everything was settled, he waived his fees, leaving me with a bit more money than I had originally thought.read more
After being rear ended by an impaired driver that left the scene, I contacted Chad Stavley because of his reputation for doing the right thing for the right reasons when he was a Deputy District Attorney with Multnomah County. Not only did he make the personal injury and damage portion of the collision simple, Chad also very quickly understood that I hoped for an outcome that was fair and reasonable for the person that hit me. Because of his prior experience and background, he was able to easily navigate the criminal aspect of this case with a resolution that held the driver accountable in a meaningful way, made me feel as if my input truly mattered, and most importantly, identified and acknowledged community stakeholders affected by impaired drivers.I cannot imagine navigating this sometimes very unpleasant process with another attorney. It is Chad’s integrity and sincere compassion that guided and positively impacted this process for me and everyone else involved. I will recommend Chad Stavley to everyone I know.read more
I sought out Chad after a personal injury and he was extremely helpful in helping me understand my rights and advocate my case. He was always very professional and supportive throughout this difficult time. I am extremely happy with the outcome of my case and was also able to receive much needed closure after my accident. I highly recommend Chad!
I was in an auto accident right after I turned 18. After a year of battling my case by myself I decided to finally look for legal help. I met with a few other attorneys before meeting Chad. Chad was understanding of my situation. I felt at ease signing over the case to him knowing everything was in good hands. I will be recommending him to all family and friends.read more
I have to thank Chad for his time and compassion when working with my Mom and l.When I initially called Chad I was full of fear and anger about the wreck and how my civil case was being handled. My former attorney had just notified me, by mail, that he couldn’t do anything for me, and to come pick up the paperwork.Chad listened and talked with Me. Giving him hope and a path forward. This is what I needed at this very low point in my life.Chad met with Mom and I in person, later emailing us detailed instructions. Which we followed. He provided support and was available when we got stuck and had questions. Chad’s help and support have been invaluable to our family. And has help put closure to this catastrophic event in my life.I high recommend Chad.read more
Chad is the real deal, truly out to help the less powerful and not in it just for a paycheck. Heres proof: I called him because my insurance adjuster was BS’ing me around with medical coverage, telling me I wasn’t eligible. Chad went out of his way to three way call my insurance company with me, talk to the adjuster, and voila! Now i have medical coverage and I can get my back fixed. The best part? He didn’t charge me a dime! He did it out of the kindness of his heart for somebody of lower status. Call it 100% magnanimous. If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney, Mr. Stavley is your guy. read more
MetLife made us a low offer under the uninsured/under-insured coverage of my policy for a personal injury car accident that my son was in. Chad took on the case based only on what he could get beyond the original offer and won an arbitrated settlement equal to double what MetLife had offered us. Insurance companies beware!
Chad and his staff were extremely helpful with my case. I contacted his office after being injured in a car accident and he was able to produce a very nice outcome. He and Stephanie were always available and responded quickly to any questions or help needed in a friendly way. I highly recommend him!
I was in a major car accident in Eugene, Oregon back in June 2015. Resulting in numerous of injuries. Hospitalized for a couple of weeks and rehabbing for a couple of months after that. I was referred to Chad and he even came out to see me in Eugene from Portland. Our first discussion wasn’t about any legal actions but how I was healing from the accident. Chad actually cares about his clients and will make sure you’re taken cared off. He makes sure he is prepared for his cases and always is in communication with me. He even calls to see how I am doing or if I needed anything. He made my lawsuit really easy to handle. He will give you the best result one can ask for. Very easy and cool to work with. He will make sure that you are taken cared off. I highly recommend Chad Stavley for any personal injury case. You will be very pleased from the results.read more
Chad represented me in a motorcycle accident suit and I could not have asked for a more professional and personal lawyer with a better outcome. Thanks to his whole team.
Chad is seriously the best!! I contacted him after an auto accident. Best decision ever. He took got everything taken care of with the insurance company. He has great communication. He is a great attorney and an absolutely wonderful person. If you were in an accident and need a lawyer, he is the guy you NEED to call! Thanks again for all your help Chad!read more
I was rear-ended back in October of 2014 and the injuries from which temporarily derailed the beginning of my new career. The losses were beyond a financial price tag. My insurance covered all of my medical expenses and the replacement of my car but the driver of the car that hit me was uninsured. Luckily I had the proper coverage but the final PIP settlement offer didn’t come until April and I felt it was in-sufficient. Chad Stavley was recommended to me by lawyers in the family that didn’t deal with this type of thing and he came through like a champ. I could not be more thrilled with the final outcome. I highly recommend calling him with any questions or concerns.read more
I sustained injuries in an automobile accident where I was T-boned by a driver that ran a stop sign.The insurance company wanted to close the case quickly and offered a settlement that would not even come close to covering my medical bills.I contacted Chad Stavley and was comfortable with him immediately.Chad worked diligently on my case, and obtained a fair settlement without having to go to court.I would highly recommend his services. read more
After being in an auto accident that injured my wife, we knew we had to hire an attorney to help us with this new, unfamiliar territory. We obtained council from another law firm and had a terrible experience. We were treated like just a number and had a hard time even getting a response to email. We decided to fire that attorney and hire Chad, which turned out to be one of the best decisions we have ever made. Chad gave us faith in lawyers once again with his personal attention and willingness to go the extra mile when it came to our case. Chad would talk to us every time we called and would answer every email that we sent almost immediately. He made my wife feel like she mattered to him, which was truly amazing. He made a bad situation turn into something bearable and gave us that light at the end of the tunnel. We are forever grateful for the services that Chad provided us and would recommend him to anybody that is in need of a personal injury attorney.read more
I had a very difficult case involving my toddler who sustained a severe dog bite to her face. Chad Stavely and his staff handled my case perfectly. I’m grateful for his knowledge and he made me feel like I was his only client.
I was referred to Chad from a family member after getting into a motor vehicle accident. I was not having any luck with the insurance company. Chad was a very knowledgeable and professional. He was always there to help answer questions via email and phone call that I had. It was my 1st accident that had happened to me and Chad & his assistant Stephanie walked me through every step of the way from beginning to end I was confident of the team I had defending me. I will defiantly refer any an all to call Chad. His team will take care of you through everything you need. I hope to not have to use him with any accidents but if I get into another motor vehicle accident I will not hesitate to call Chad. read more
My name is Martin Lund and I chose Chad Stavley as my attorney after review testimony’s online related to what I had experienced. I was hit on a motorcycle while stopped in a parking lot. Long story short, I suffer from a herniating disc that causes aching and numbing down my left arm. After meeting with Chad, he assisted me in getting my medical treatments moving forwards and worked with doctors clinics to allow me examinations since my PIP insurance had maxed out. Once the case has closed, Chad was able to settle out of court and with a larger than expected settlement. As other reviewers have stated, Chad is very professional and efficient. He did a great job in representing my case and explained what to expect as the case moved forward. If you are needing legal representation for a motor vehicle injury, I highly recommend Chad Stavley. read more
In August of 2012, I sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident. I immediately began to feel disheartened and frustrating in dealing with the insurance companies (both my own and the other party’s). Even though I was rear-ended, the other party’s insurance company would not accept fault for the accident. I hired Chad Stavley and was immediately put at ease. Not only did he deal with all of the insurance information I did not understand, he also fought for me to be able to receive compensation for my physical injuries as well as my property damage. It felt really great to have an attorney like Chad in my corner; he worked efficiently and quickly, and he also made it as easy for me as possible to deal with an otherwise messy situation. I commend his professionalism as well as making me feel like I was well cared for as his client. I would absolutely recommend Chad Stavley for any person looking for an attorney who will help deal with an accident efficiently, professionally, and thoroughly. read more
I hired Chad Stavley for a motor vehicle accident and could not be more pleased with the outcome. I found it incredibly difficult to deal with insurance companies directly and decided that hiring an attorney would be my best bet. Chad alleviated all of my worries and walked me through the process step-by-step. I felt like Chad cared about my case and made it his priority to get me properly compensated for the injuries I sustained from my accident. It’s not every day that you find an attorney who is as dedicated and motivated to get you the best results possible. I highly recommend Chad Stavley for anyone who has suffered injuries from an accident. His experience, professionalism, and diligence yield maximum results. read more
I recently hired Chad to represent me in a lawsuit with a large corporation involving a significant monetary dispute. Fortunately, he was able to settle the case for much more than I anticipated. I chose Chad because of his trial experience and reputation for taking on insurance companies. He is very professional, responsive and prepared. I’ve worked with lawyers in the past that are unmotivated and fail to realize how important your case is to your daily life. I can tell you this is not the case with Chad. He is compassionate, responsive and fired up to get the best result. I could not be happier with the outcome in my case. read more
My name is Felix Velazquez, I recommend Chad Stavley for your next or first court case. A little more than a year ago I was accused of Domestic Violence charges. This was my first time dealing with anything that had to do with court related issues. I had no idea what to expect, what I did know was that I was stressed out and confused. I did not know what direction to take and how to approach the situation. Innocent or guilty, you need someone you can trust. A close friend attending a catholic university gave me as contact Chad Stavley. I was skeptical at first if he could help me out because Domestic Violence is not his major focus. He made it easy from the beginning, taking me step by step, in a friendly way. He made himself available when I needed him or had any questions outside of the office. In few words he made my court experience better than I expected. I am happy to say that thanks to Chad, my case has been expunged and dismissed. I recommend someone like Chad because he is down to earth, honest, humble, easy to talk to, gave me a fair price and his availability was exceptional. Thank you Chad for all your hard work, Best Regards, Felix V. read more
