Understanding the Laws for an Oregon Accident Lawsuit

There is nothing worse than being involved in an accident.  When you are involved in an accident, you may be dealing with physical damage to your vehicle, possible physical injuries, emotional distress, and for some, possibly even an Oregon accident lawsuit.

When going through a lawsuit, it is important to be informed.  A lawyer with experience in this area will certainly be able to assist you, but it will be crucial for you to understand the basic laws involving this area of law in the State of Oregon.  What follows below is a summary of some of the most important laws regarding Oregon accident lawsuit claims, including the time limits that are involved in these kinds of lawsuits.

Know the Time Limits Involved with Your Lawsuit

Oregon is a state, like many others, that has a set of laws regarding how much time you have in order to file a claim.  These laws are known as statutes of limitations, and they may vary based upon the kind of lawsuit.  However, it may be comforting to know that Oregon has some of the biggest timeframes for you to file a claim.

Understanding the Law When You Are Partially At-Fault

There are certain cases where it may be determined that both parties involved in an accident were partially at-fault for the outcome.  States all across the country have a wide variety of ways for dealing with this type of situation, often referred to as comparative fault.

In the State of Oregon, there is something known as modified comparative negligence.  What this refers to is the fact that one individual can recover damages from another individual if that person is more at fault than the other; however, these damages will be pro-rated so to speak based upon their share of the liability in the accident.

If you find yourself in a situation where you might be found at-fault at least partially for the accident, you will need to work with a qualified attorney who has experience in personal property damage and personal injury cases.  You may find that based on your level of liability, a lawsuit could in fact be much more costly to you if the court finds that you are more at fault that the other party.

In Summary…

When you are involved in an Oregon accident lawsuit, there will be an array of laws that you will need to become familiar with that will impact your claim.  The first, and most important, is knowing the time frames.  You don’t want to wait too long and discover that you no longer have the ability to file your claim.