Free Consultations 24/7 (503) 272-8986 Toll Free (855) 503-5035
Request Free Consultation

How to Prove You Are Not At Fault in a Portland Car Accident

Posted on May 3, 2021 in

Oregon is a fault insurance state, meaning that at-fault drivers are financially liable for their victims’ damages. However, determining fault in a car accident is not always an easy task. In cases involving multiple vehicles, possible negligence on the part of multiple drivers, or lack of clear evidence, it may take a significant amount of investigation to determine liability. However, there are steps you can take after the accident to protect yourself from accusations of liability.

How to Prove You Are Not At Fault in a Car Accident

How to Prove Liability in a Car Accident Claim

After a collision, you will need to establish that the at-fault driver’s negligence caused your accident and resulting injuries. To do so, you will need to provide clear evidence to establish four important facts.

  • The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care. All drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and exercise reasonable caution when driving.
  • The at-fault driver breached his or her duty of care in some way. For example, running a red light or making an unsafe lane change are breaches of duty.
  • The breach of duty directly caused your accident.
  • You suffered damages due to the accident that you can collect in your lawsuit.

What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

After a car accident, always seek medical attention after an accident, even if you do not feel hurt. Failure to seek medical attention could cast doubt on the validity of your claim. When you receive treatment, save all records related to your injuries and medical care—these documents will serve as important pieces of evidence in your claim.

If you can move around the scene without further injury or placing yourself in danger, take the following steps to collect evidence, protect your health, and prove the other driver’s liability.

  • Call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement. The responding officer will review the scene, take statements, and create a police report that details how he or she believes the accident occurred.
  • Take pictures of the scene. Photograph your vehicle, injuries, debris, and property damage from as many angles as possible. Take pictures of the other vehicles at the scene, the road, and any traffic signs and signals.
  • Speak to witnesses. These individuals can provide valuable testimony in your claim. Ask these witnesses if you can have their contact information so you can contact them at a later date.
  • Exchange contact, license, and insurance information with the other driver. Keep your interaction with the driver brief. You will need this information to file your future claim.

Hire an Attorney for Your Car Accident Claim

After your accident, the insurance company may contact you and ask for a statement. Decline to speak to the representative and contact a car accident lawyer in Portland as soon as possible. Your attorney can provide valuable support during your accident claim, helping you establish the other driver’s liability.

The benefits of hiring an attorney include the following:

  • Your lawyer will handle all aspects of your claim, from filing paperwork to negotiating with the insurance company and the other driver’s lawyer.
  • Your attorney will provide you access to expert witnesses, such as medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists, who can validate your claims and establish the other driver’s liability.
  • Your attorney will advise you on how to approach conversations with the insurance company so you can reduce scrutiny and increase your chances of a fair settlement.

As soon as possible after the accident, contact a Portland car accident attorney. Your lawyer will review your case and identify your optimal path to compensation.

Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys in Portland, OR – Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers

If you were injured in an accident in Portland, OR, please contact our Portland car accident lawyers at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers
101 SW Main St. #1905
Portland, OR, 97204
(503) 272-8986
Open 24/7

Justin Vieth
Justin Vieth
1692118893
Shimmeri Selph
Shimmeri Selph
1691385552
Don't waste your time.
Alan Rogers
Alan Rogers
1691175931
Thanks Aaron, we truly appreciate everything you have done for us.I know that I was a handful early on, but you handled it with a deft touch and ultimately proved yourself to be a great advocate for our family none the less.Thanks so much Bud!You have my eternal respect and gratitude.
Tim Cheredayko
Tim Cheredayko
1689376069
Tillmann helped me out a lot! Going over ever detail with the case from both sides and always informing me what is going to happen through out the case. Definitely recommend Tillmann Law!
A B
A B
1689034229
Rude. Classist. The receptionist needs some manners. Actually hung up when told was a low income family.
Justin W
Justin W
1688167505
I had the pleasure of working with Aaron and his team over the course of the last year. They were very professional and responsive. Dealing with injuries can be dreadful, but Aaron made it as painless as possible. I highly recommend.
Bonnie Thorn
Bonnie Thorn
1686939262
Aaron Tillmann and his entire staff were professional, empathetic and very knowledgeable. They assisted our family at a time when we were grieving the loss of our son with compassion and respect.
Tina Rutledge
Tina Rutledge
1683316276
Arisbet Bustos
Arisbet Bustos
1682535580
I am very grateful and pleased with the services of Lawyer Aaron and his team work, especially Julia, who was always attentive to my concerns and resolved my doubts with a good attitude and empathy, and best of all, she speaks Spanish. Thank you so much!!!
Ken Pollett
Ken Pollett
1682394554
I was involved in a serious auto accident. Not that there is a good time to be in any accident, it just happened to be 2020. Tillman Law and support staff kept me in the loop as the court system was disarray with all the Covid issues. The staff was very professional and courteous. In a nutshell, they took care of me.
Jordan Bedrick
Jordan Bedrick
1682367951
My husband was in a bad car accident a few years back, and he was stopped due to traffic. He was behind a fuel truck, and someone rear-ended him, going 60mph. The worst part was our 6 mo old was in our and the truck was totaled beyond repair and my husbands back injured severly he ended up with 2 broken vertebrae. Our child had ptsd any time getting into a vehicle after that. Tillman made this right even though we couldn't do much for our son other comfort him and make car rides more comfortable from there on out Tillman was able to get my husband the money he deserved after the other driver was extremely negligent and either not paying attention or on his phone or something unfortunately this was during covid and when the police came they didnt do a single thing to check for any of that. We can't say enough good things about Aaron Tillman he gave us our hope back and the ability to have back surgery to repair a lot of his back issues due to the car wreck. So if you have been in an accident definitely call Tillman Law they're amazing super professional, kind and empathetic beings who will work for the best possible outcome for your case and fight they won't just roll over and play dead they spent about 2.5 years on my husbands case never giving up. He was always super honest with my husband and always communicated everything. So again, thank you, Aaron Tillman, and thank you to your law firm for working so tirelessly. We appreciate it more than you know.
Cassie Kocker
Cassie Kocker
1679485024
Aaron is great. He is professional and personable which makes you feel cared about during the process. He will provide advice and resources so that the process is smooth and renders positive results. I highly recommend!
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
1678578656
Still working with them to this day! Great firm great people. Much recommend
Brittany Sloan
Brittany Sloan
1678128693
I can’t recommend Tillman Law enough. We were in a sticky situation from a car accident in December and my partner was out of work for over a month. Aaron told us we may not be able to get those lost wages, but he would definitely try to fight the insurance for them and even then we might not see the money for a long time. It’s only been 3 1/2 months since the accident and we just got our lost funds today. Tillman Law was quick, efficient, and made this entire situation much less painful. I appreciate everything they’ve done for us.
Hazel Ault
Hazel Ault
1676408436
Jennifer nelson
Jennifer nelson
1675127322
Great experience
Oksana Pavlenko
Oksana Pavlenko
1660939351
Really pleased with my experience at Tillmann Law. Mr. Tillmann and his team were on top of my case, worked hard to answer any questions I had and finished my case in a timely manner. I was really happy with the outcome . Thank you!
Robert Swanson
Robert Swanson
1659227101
Tucker Earp
Tucker Earp
1658161927
Linette Figueroa
Linette Figueroa
1634884433
Mr. Tillman took care of my care seamlessly! He immediately hopped on my case immediately and guided me through the entire process. His team is professional, organized and well-resourced! He even went back to ensure the settlement was beyond fair. If you want someone who will fight tooth and nail on your behalf- Mr. Tillman is your lawyer!
Robert Aley
Robert Aley
1634841379
I am so happy to promote Aaron and his team. They did such an amazing job handling my case. Call them if you need service. I called him when I first needed help with my accident and he called me back within five minutes. This team is so great! I am so happy to have worked with them.
Teresa Ochoa
Teresa Ochoa
1633214433
Mr. Tillmann and his paralegal Jason were fantastic to work with! They were always available to answer my questions in a timely manner and delivered a very good outcome after I was rear ended. I would recommend their services to anyone.
Roro Roro
Roro Roro
1631419364
Amazing team at the Tillman Law, LLC . His work speaks for it self. Thank you for being professional and above all understanding to different people. God bless everyone that works there .
Mercury Nightstone
Mercury Nightstone
1628733283
Aaron and his staff, especially Jason, were all extremely courteous, timely, and professional. Highly recommend, truly appreciate your hard work!
Danielle Martin
Danielle Martin
1627923620
The Tillman Law Firm is amazing! I have been very pleased with everyone that I came in contact with concerning my case. They filed the case against the insurance company and fought hard in litigation to get what rightfully was taken from me. I would highly recommend them, they are the best in the Portland metro area!
×
js_loader