After suffering an injury in a car accident, most Oregon drivers are eligible to collect compensation from the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. However, if the other driver is uninsured or has a policy that cannot cover all of the damages, recovering compensation might not be so easy.
If an underinsured or uninsured driver has hit you or someone you care about in Oregon, the Rizk Law car accident injury attorneys might be able to help. Our Portland personal injury lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We understand what it takes to get the compensation our clients deserve for the harm they have undergone.
What to Know About Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Oregon
All motor vehicle liability policies in Oregon that insure against a loss for bodily injury or death must provide coverage for accidents with uninsured and underinsured drivers under Oregon state law.
Under Oregon Statute 742.02, drivers must carry auto insurance policies that include:
- $25,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person (up to $50,000 per accident)
- $25,000 in underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person (up to $50,000 per accident)
Anyone who owns a motor vehicle in Oregon must carry a valid auto insurance policy that includes uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage. Any drivers looking to renew a vehicle in Oregon must provide proof of their valid policy before they can register again.
With this type of insurance policy, your carrier should reimburse you for damages suffered in a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver. You may be provided with compensation for losses such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages (as well as future lost income) and benefits
- Ambulance ride
- Household out-of-pocket expenses
- Mental anguish
- Physical therapy
- Reconstructive surgery
- Funeral costs
Drivers are not required to carry insurance for property damaged by underinsured or uninsured drivers in Oregon, so coverage for damage to vehicles and other personal property must be purchased separately. Although this coverage is not required under Oregon state law, it must be offered to you as an optional add-on when you purchase your policy.
Insurance Company Concerns With Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Portland, Oregon
When choosing a car insurance policy, you hope that the insurance company you choose will support you in the event you are injured in a crash. Unfortunately, more often than not, their priorities are in their pockets instead of in the interests of their policyholders. Car insurance companies are massive corporations that have been known to habitually put their profits over the people who depend on them, despite what their commercials may suggest.
Auto insurers who withhold compensation for legitimate injury claims make money while their policyholders and injured parties suffer. Car accident victims depend on these resources to get the medical care they need, and unfair claim settlement practices can prevent them from sufficiently healing their injuries, replacing their damaged property, and paying their bills.
Injured in an Accident Involving an Underinsured or Uninsured Driver? Contact a Portland Attorney Today
Contact a Portland attorney if you were in an accident caused by a driver who did not carry an auto insurance policy or carried an insufficient policy that does not cover all of the damages you have suffered. Rizk Law founder, Richard Rizk, is a former insurance insider who understands what it takes to get insurance companies to pay claims because he has authorized large claim payments himself.
To schedule a free, comprehensive review of your specific situation, reach out to a trusted Rizk Law car accident injury attorney today. Call our Portland, Oregon office at (503) 342-0783, or you may contact us online via our convenient contact form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.