Portland Pedestrian Accident Attorney

As a pedestrian, you are one of the most vulnerable people on the road. Because of this, under Oregon law, you should also be one of the most protected. Thankfully, the Portland pedestrian accident lawyers at DuBois Law Group – PDX Injury Law specialize in personal injury cases and can help if you are hit by a car and injured as a result.

As knowledgeable Portland personal injury lawyers, it is our duty and our goal to help pedestrians who have been seriously injured as a result of a driver’s inattention, recklessness, or complete disregard for the law. To do that, we offer a FREE initial phone consultation at  (503) 222-4411.

Oregon law gives pedestrians and cyclists extra protection through what are known as “vulnerable user laws” which impose enhanced penalties on drivers who seriously injure or kill someone who is not protected by the shell of a car. Those laws remain in force in 2026, and they matter in a civil case because a citation under them is strong evidence of the driver’s negligence. Pedestrians are so unprotected on the street that even a low-speed collision can cause life-changing injuries or death.

Crosswalk Right-of-Way Rules in Oregon: Hit by a Car in a Crosswalk

Many pedestrian accident victims are told by the driver or an insurance adjuster that they were “not in a crosswalk,” when Oregon law says otherwise. Under ORS 811.028, every intersection is a legal crosswalk whether or not it is painted, and a driver must stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian who is in the crosswalk or stepping into the driver’s lane or the lane next to it. Drivers turning at a signal must also yield to pedestrians who have the walk signal. A distracted driver who rolls through an unmarked crosswalk while looking at a phone, or who makes a right turn on red into a pedestrian, has violated the statute and is liable for the injuries that follow.

Because so many of these cases come down to where the pedestrian was and what the driver was doing, our Portland pedestrian accident lawyers move quickly to secure intersection camera footage, TriMet bus video, nearby business security recordings, and the driver’s phone records. That evidence frequently settles the “who had the right of way” argument before the insurer can build a shared-fault defense.

Hit-and-Run and Uninsured Driver Pedestrian Accidents

A driver who strikes a pedestrian and leaves the scene commits a felony in Oregon, and the police investigation that follows often identifies the vehicle through camera footage, paint transfer, or witness descriptions. If the driver is found, the claim proceeds against that driver’s insurance like any other case, and the flight from the scene supports a claim for punitive damages.

If the driver is never identified or turns out to be uninsured, you are not without options. Oregon requires every auto policy to include Personal Injury Protection and uninsured motorist coverage, and both apply to you as a pedestrian through your own auto policy, or the policy of a household family member, even though you were on foot. PIP pays medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault, and uninsured motorist coverage steps in for the at-fault driver who cannot be found or has no insurance. Our attorneys identify every policy that may apply to your hit-and-run pedestrian accident and pursue each of them.

How Long Do You Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Oregon?

Oregon’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, ORS 12.110, gives you two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit, and that deadline remains in effect as of 2026. If the driver was operating a city, county, TriMet, or state vehicle, a formal tort claim notice must be delivered much sooner, generally within 180 days of the accident. Pedestrian injuries are often severe and slow to fully diagnose, so starting the claim early gives your attorney time to document the full extent of your losses before the deadline arrives.

Portland Pedestrian Accident Resources

• Why Choose A Portland Pedestrian Accident Lawyer From Dubois?
• Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents In Portland 
• Damages Available In A Portland Pedestrian Accident 
• How To Prove Your Portland Pedestrian Accident Claim 
• Comparative Negligence In A Portland Pedestrian Accident Case
• Portland Pedestrian Accident Client Testimonials
• Pedestrian Accident Case Results

Why Choose A Portland Pedestrian Accident Lawyer From DuBois Law Group – PDX Injury Law?

• Our Portland injury lawyers have represented thousands of injured Portland residents in their accident claims, including pedestrian collisions. We will leverage our experience and resources to craft a compelling case in your favor.
• We understand the financial hardship that accompanies a serious injury. That’s why our firm operates on a contingency fee basis—if our attorneys do not secure compensation in your case, you will not be charged legal fees.
• Navigating complex litigation or insurance processes can be a challenge after a pedestrian accident. Our attorneys will handle all aspects of your case, from negotiations to paperwork and evidence collection, so you can focus on recovery.

The Reality Of Pedestrian Accidents

In most traffic situations, pedestrians have the right of way. Motorists are supposed to be mindful of their surroundings and in control of their vehicles to avoid potential hazards. However, our Portland car accident lawyers will tell you that when a motorist operates their vehicle carelessly and an accident occurs, the motorist can be held liable for expenses associated with a person’s injuries resulting from the accident. Unfortunately, as described by our hit-and-run accident attorneys in Portland, a handful of pedestrian accidents are hit-and-runs, meaning that the motorist leaves the scene of the car crash. This puts the life of the injured pedestrian in more danger due to a potential delay in emergency help arriving if the accident is not reported.

Moreover, being a pedestrian means that an individual’s vehicle insurance does not matter. Even if a pedestrian owns a car and has insurance, that doesn’t mean that insurance can be used in the event of a pedestrian accident. For most car wrecks, a person’s personal injury protection coverage (PIP), will cover medical bills for up to a year or $15,000, whichever comes first. On the other hand, during a pedestrian-car accident, the driver’s PIP should pay according to the state of Oregon.

In an Oregon pedestrian accident, pedestrians’ injuries range from minor to catastrophic. More serious injuries, such as a brain injury (TBI) or a spinal cord injury, can alter a person’s way of life forever, just ask our brain injury lawyers in Portland. Extensive physical therapy may also be required, which further impacts a person’s life. In severe Oregon pedestrian accidents, victims may even lose their lives. When a family loses a loved one in a pedestrian accident, they may seek compensation from the negligent individual in a Portland wrongful death lawsuit.

What Are Some Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrian accidents can occur for several reasons, from dim lighting, bad weather, and as mentioned by our product liability lawyers in Portland, vehicle defects/product liability and poorly maintained roads. However, a large number of these collisions occur due to negligent driving behaviors. Some of the most common causes of Oregon pedestrian accidents include the following.

Failure to yield the right of way:

There are many situations where pedestrians have the right of way, such as while crossing an intersection. Unfortunately, a driver may ignore these rules and collide with an oncoming pedestrian.

Drunk driving:

Alcohol and drugs impair many of the functions necessary for safe driving, including reaction times and judgment. An intoxicated driver may lose control of his or her vehicle and collide with a pedestrian on the road. if you were hit by a drunk driver, speak to a Portland drunk driving accident lawyer today.

Running a red light or stop sign:

Signs and traffic lights control the flow of traffic and ensure that pedestrians have a safe opportunity to cross the street. If a driver ignores a red light or stop sign, he or she may hit a crossing pedestrian.

Turning or backing up without checking for people:

In some cases, a driver may turn left or right without checking for individuals crossing the intersection, resulting in an unexpected accident. In some cases, a driver may back out of an alleyway, driveway, or parking spot while a person is crossing behind the vehicle, leading to a collision.

Identifying the cause of your pedestrian accident is crucial when filing a claim because if someone else’s actions are responsible for your injuries, one of our Portland accident lawyers can help ensure that you receive the compensation you are owed. If your accident involved a motorcycle, please reach out to our Portland motorcycle accident attorneys today.

What Damages Are Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims?

Through an Oregon pedestrian accident lawsuit or insurance claim, you can recover financial losses for any money you may have lost in the accident. Additionally, our Portland accident lawyers, who also work in pedestrian accidents, may also recover compensation for non-economic damages, which are also known as pain and suffering.

Common damages in pedestrian accident cases include the following.

• Past and future medical expenses
• Disability accommodations and mobility equipment
• Rehabilitation programs and physical therapy
• Property repairs and replacements
• Lost wages and loss of future earnings
• Chronic pain, disability, or disfigurement
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Depression and anxiety
• Loss of quality of life
• Emotional distress

In certain cases, you may be eligible for a third category of compensation known as punitive damages. While economic and non-economic damages are designed to reimburse you for your losses, punitive damages are meant to punish those responsible, especially for reckless or egregious behavior.

Under Oregon law, courts may award punitive damages in cases that involve malice, outrageous indifference to a highly unreasonable risk of harm, or conscious indifference to the health and safety of others. To identify the damages you qualify for and accurately calculate your estimated settlement, speak to a Portland pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.

How Can You Prove a Portland Pedestrian Accident Claim?

To secure compensation in a Portland pedestrian accident case, you will need to supply enough evidence that establishes the other driver’s fault. During the insurance process, a representative will conduct an investigation of your accident, review evidence from both sides, and determine how the collision occurred. During a lawsuit, you will need to supply sufficient proof to establish four key facts.

• The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care. All drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely.
• The at-fault driver breached his or her duty of care through a negligent act or failure to act.
• The at-fault driver’s breach of duty caused your pedestrian accident.
• You sustained damages in the collision that you can collect in your lawsuit.

For example, say that you are crossing a street when a driver runs a red light and hit you while you are in the middle of the intersection. You can establish a duty of care by the fact that the driver was operating a vehicle at the time of the collision. His or her breach of duty would be running a red light, which is illegal. You can use surveillance footage, police reports, and witness testimony to establish this element.

When it comes to causation, you can use those same pieces of evidence along with your medical records to prove that the driver’s actions led to the crash and your injuries. For complex cases, your lawyer could also enlist the help of expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals, who can testify on your behalf. To prove damages, your attorney can help you gather documents such as medical records, pay stubs, invoices, and journal entries, along with a long-term care plan with the help of expert witnesses.

How Does Comparative Negligence Work in Portland Pedestrian Accident Cases?

Although you may be able to prove the at-fault driver’s liability in your accident, the insurance company may claim that you are partially responsible. For example, the company may claim that you were jaywalking or failed to look for oncoming traffic before the collision. During the insurance process, the company may use this information to deny or reduce your award.

In a lawsuit, the court may apply Oregon’s comparative negligence rules to reduce your settlement by the amount of fault you share. If you are more than 50 percent responsible for the collision, you will not recover any compensation.

In these situations, you need a knowledgeable lawyer on your side. Here at DuBois Law Group, we are confident in our attorney’s ability to defend you against accusations of shared fault and prove the other driver’s liability, protecting your right to recovery.

Pedestrian Accident Client Testimonials

• ” I never felt stressed about the case. I never felt worried, because I felt like he was really on it, and I trusted him, and he had it covered.”
• “I was very impressed with the timely response to all of my phone calls. I never felt like I was pushed aside because you were too busy.”
• “I was impressed by the initial interview process. It felt like everyone genuinely cared. Minimal meetings and paperwork has been great due to my busy schedule.”

Case Results In Portland Pedestrian Accidents

• $115k in a crosswalk accident injury
• $100k in a brain injury case
• $150k following a herniated disk

More on Portland Pedestrian Accident Claims

For more on how these cases are handled, see our articles on who is at fault in a pedestrian car accident, what to look for in a pedestrian accident attorney, how dark streets limit visibility for drivers and pedestrians, and East Portland’s pedestrian beacon program, along with our FAQ on what to do if you were hit by a car. Pedestrians struck by a TriMet bus or MAX train face the 180-day notice rule covered on our Portland bus accident lawyer page, and those hit by an Uber or Lyft driver should see our rideshare accident page for how the driver’s app status determines coverage. Severe pedestrian injuries frequently fall within our catastrophic injury practice.

Contact A Portland Pedestrian Accident Lawyer From DuBois Law Group – PDX Injury Law

If you are injured in a pedestrian accident in Portland, you deserve justice—and the lawyers at DuBois Law Group – PDX Injury Law can fight for your right to compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options. (503) 222-4411

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