If you are the victim of a left-turn car accident in Portland, OR, you may not know what steps to take next. After all, getting into any type of auto accident is overwhelming and can leave you feeling unsure of what legal avenues you have available to you.
If you are the victim of a left-turn car accident in Portland, OR, you need to hire an auto accident attorney to represent your case. At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our team of auto accident attorneys has extensive experience handling auto accident cases across Oregon and can help you determine who is at fault in a left-turn crash.
Keep reading to find out the most common causes of left-turn car accidents, the deadline for filing a claim, and the damages you could possibly receive.
Oregon’s Right-of-Way Laws
Before you determine who is at fault in a left-turn crash, you need to understand Oregon’s traffic laws around left turns. Although Oregon does not have a strict right-of-way law, it does require drivers to yield the right-of-way in certain situations.
Here are some examples of when Oregon’s right-of-way laws apply:
- Intersections with signals
- T or three-way intersections
- When turning left
- Stop and yield signs
- Roundabouts
It’s also important to note that drivers are expected to yield right-of-way to pedestrians, emergency vehicles, and funeral processions.
Common Causes of Left-Turn Accidents
Unfortunately, left-turn accidents are quite common in Oregon, as they can be the result of many different things. Here are some examples of the different scenarios that can cause these types of collisions:
- Speeding
- Driving while under the influence
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Misjudging oncoming traffic
- Distracted driving
- Turning from the wrong lane
- Aggressive driving
- Improper lane changes
In addition to these scenarios, failing to yield the right-of-way is often the root cause of these types of collisions. Yielding the right-of-way is a responsibility placed on each individual driver, requiring everyone to be alert and engaged with what other drivers are doing. Because of this, there is a lot of room for error, especially if other drivers are not being as cautious as they should.
How to Prove Fault When You File Your Claim
The best way to ensure your claim is successful is to prove who was at fault in the left-turn crash. The good news is that proving fault in left-turn collisions is relatively easy to do, especially if the other driver failed to yield the right-of-way. However, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t going to run into issues, which is why you need to be prepared.
The best way to prove fault so that you are guaranteed a positive outcome is to collect evidence. You need to provide as much evidence as possible to showcase the behavior of the other driver and how it directly resulted in the collision.
Here are some examples of the types of evidence you can include in your claim:
- Photos of the collision scene
- Photos of injuries
- Photos and footage of property damage
- Business and traffic surveillance camera footage
- Police reports
- Witness testimony
- Expert statements
- Doctor’s notes
- Medical bills and expenses
You should also take the step of hiring a Portland car accident law firm to represent you and your claim. An intersection car accident lawyer will be able to help you track down harder-to-find pieces of evidence so that you are able to prove fault without a doubt.
Damages You Could Get From a Left-Turn Accident Claim
If you are able to prove that you were not at fault for the left-turn accident, you can expect to get a significant amount of damages. In Oregon, you can get both economic and non-economic damages depending on the details of your case. These include damages for:
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Diminished quality of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and earning potential
- Mental anguish or emotional distress
- Physical pain and suffering
- Impairment or disabilities
- Out-of-pocket expenses
For the best chance of getting the compensation you need to make a full recovery, you need to hire a Portland personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you build a strong claim that clearly defines who was at fault and showcases the extent of your damages.
Oregon Filing Deadline For Left-Turn Accidents
If you want to file a left-turn accident claim in Portland, Oregon, you need to be aware of the deadline for doing this. The statute of limitations for car accident claims in Oregon is two years from the date that the accident occurred. If you fail to file your claim within this timeframe, you will lose your right to receive compensation.
Hire an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney at Henderson Taylor Law Firm
It is very likely that you will need to file a left-turn accident claim in Portland if you are the victim of a car accident. This is the best way to ensure you get the damages you need to make a full recovery.
At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our experienced car accident lawyers are committed to defending the downtrodden and providing victims of car accidents with the representation they need. For legal assistance from one of our attorneys, contact us today at 360-737-1478 or fill out our online form.
FAQ:
Is the left-turning driver always at fault in Oregon?
Not always, but in most situations, the turning driver is presumed to be at fault for the collision. This is because in most cases, the turning driver failed to yield the right of away.
What if the oncoming car was speeding?
Even though oncoming vehicles should not be speeding, the driver turning left should still be able to yield the right of away. Depending on the specific case, both parties may be held at fault to a certain extent.
How can I prove I had the right-of-way?
The best way to prove that you had the right-of-way when the other driver hit your vehicle is to provide evidence. The police report may include this information, and you may be able to access footage from surveillance cameras or ask witnesses to provide testimony.