01
Experienced on Both Sides of Courtroom
We believe that seeing both sides of cases helps us achieve better results for our clients.
02
A Track Record of Excellent Results
Excellent results in high-stake cases: We have recovered over $5 million in verdicts & settlements since 2019.
03
Speak Directly With an Attorney Today
You will talk directly to Ben or Bryan when you call us or have questions.
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We Know Insurance
Company Tactics
For decades we have been hired by insurers, so we know what factors help injured parties achieve the best recovery.
Portland Car Accident Lawyer
A sudden motor vehicle collision can turn your life upside down in a matter of seconds. Between mounting medical bills, time missed from work, painful physical injuries, and the stress of dealing with aggressive insurance adjusters, navigating the aftermath of a crash is exhausting. At Dawson Law Group, we understand the immense pressure you are facing. You do not have to carry this heavy legal and financial burden alone while trying to heal. When you need an experienced Portland car accident lawyer, our firm brings a distinct advantage to your side of the courtroom. Founding attorney Bryan Dawson has nearly three decades of legal experience and over 100 trials and arbitrations under his belt, holding an AV Preeminent rating and recognized as a Super Lawyer. Partner Ben Larson has been advocating for injured Oregonians since 2009. Together, we combine high-level trial expertise with responsive, personal service to help you secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Why Our Defense Background Gives Your Case an Unfair Advantage
What sets our practice apart from almost every other personal injury firm in the Pacific Northwest is our deep background on the other side of the aisle. For decades, insurance carriers hired us to defend complex injury claims. We know the exact software programs, evaluation metrics, and strategic playbook insurance adjusters use to undervalue or deny valid claims.
We use that insider knowledge directly for your benefit. Having worked inside the defense ecosystem, we anticipate insurance company tactics long before they execute them. We know how insurers evaluate liability, how they attempt to twist medical records against injured drivers, and what specific evidence forces them to offer full and fair settlements. When you hire a Portland car accident lawyer from Dawson Law Group, you gain an insider’s perspective fighting exclusively for your recovery.
Navigating Oregon Auto Insurance: What You Must Know About PIP
Oregon insurance laws differ significantly from neighboring states, particularly regarding Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 742.520, every private passenger motor vehicle policy issued in Oregon must include mandatory PIP benefits. Understanding how this coverage works is vital to getting your immediate medical needs met without delay.
Immediate Medical Coverage Regardless of Fault
PIP is no-fault coverage. This means that regardless of who caused the collision, your own auto insurance policy covers your reasonable and necessary medical expenses resulting from the accident. By law, Oregon PIP provides up to $15,000 in medical coverage (or your policy limit if higher) for up to two years following the date of the crash.
Lost Wages and Household Essential Services
In addition to medical bills, PIP coverage in Oregon provides financial assistance if your injuries prevent you from working. If you are disabled for at least 14 consecutive days, your PIP coverage will reimburse 70% of your lost income, up to a monthly maximum of $3,000, for up to 52 weeks. If you are not employed outside the home, PIP can pay up to $30 per day for essential household services you are unable to perform yourself.
How PIP Interacts with Your Personal Injury Settlement
Many accident victims wonder if they have to pay back their insurance company for PIP benefits out of their final settlement with the at-fault driver. This process is known as insurance reimbursement or subrogation. We carefully audit all PIP payments and medical liens to ensure that your health providers are paid correctly and that your personal settlement payout is protected under Oregon’s “made whole” doctrine whenever applicable.
Oregon Comparative Fault Laws: Protecting Your Financial Recovery
Insurance adjusters frequently try to assign partial fault to injured drivers to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out. In Oregon, personal injury claims are governed by a modified comparative negligence system under ORS 31.600, often referred to as the “51% bar rule.”
The 51% Bar Rule Explained
Under this legal standard, you can recover financial damages after a car crash as long as your percentage of fault is 51% or less. However, your total monetary recovery will be reduced proportionately by your degree of responsibility. For example, if a jury determines your total losses are $100,000, but finds you were 10% at fault because you were traveling slightly over the speed limit, your final award will be reduced by 10%, resulting in a payout of $90,000.
If the insurance company successfully convinces a jury that you were 51% or more responsible for the collision, you are completely barred from recovering any financial compensation. This is why insurance adjusters work so hard to trick injured drivers into making recorded statements that sound like admissions of guilt. When we take on your case, we stop those predatory tactics immediately, shield you from deceptive questioning, and construct evidence-based arguments that establish clear liability on the fault driver.
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Settlement received by Dawson Law Group
“The state will pay … the largest settlement in Department of Corrections history … The settlement amount is unprecedented.”
The Oregonian, October 14, 2020
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Case Results in the Last Few Years:
$3m
Wrongful Death - Incarcerated
Settlement in the death of a prisoner.
$2.5m
Personal Injury
Recovered amount for a client injured in an industrial accident.
$2.3m
Truck Accident
Trucking Accident Settlement
$1.46m
Car Accident
Settlement achieved on behalf of a client in a 2022 auto accident claim.
$1.3m
Personal Injury
Auto accident vs. drunk driver, the bar served a visibly intoxicated patron.
$900k
Personal Injury
Arbitration award for an auto case.
$625k
Personal Injury
Recovered amount for a client injured in an auto accident.
Meet Our Attorneys Bryan Dawson & Ben Larson
Bryan Dawson - Principal Attorney
With nearly 30 years of trial experience, Bryan Dawson leads Dawson Law Group as Principal Attorney. Bryan specializes in personal injury, wrongful death, and complex litigation, and has secured millions in compensation for clients throughout Oregon. His approachable style, deep knowledge, and focus on client communication have made him a trusted advocate for both plaintiffs and defendants.
- Expertise: Car accidents, serious injury, wrongful death, personal injury, civil rights, employment law, construction defect disputes, and patent infringement cases.
- Professional Experience: Tried over 100 cases to verdict or arbitration; argued before the Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; Principal Attorney at Dawson Law Group since 1999; prior associate at Cooley Godward in California.
- Professional Achievements: Super Lawyer (2018–2025), AV Preeminent Rated from Martindale-Hubbell, 10/10 Avvo Rating, 2018 Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award, frequent court-appointed arbitrator, and CLE instructor.
- Education: J.D., UC Berkeley (Boalt Hall); M.A., University of Chicago; B.A., Claremont McKenna College.
- Portland Community Involvement: Dawson invests in the next generation of lawyers by mentoring young attorneys, leading continuing legal education (CLE) courses, and coaching high school mock trial teams, helping to strengthen Oregon’s legal community.
- Memberships: Oregon State Bar, U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, State Bar of California (Inactive).
- Personal: Born in Portland, Bryan enjoys coaching youth, outdoor activities, and spending time with his family. He is active in the Lake Oswego community and commutes to work by bicycle.
Ben Larson
Ben Larson brings a creative and collaborative approach to every case at Dawson Law Group. Since 2009, he has recovered damages for clients in a wide range of personal injury and wrongful death matters. Ben is committed to thorough, effective communication so clients are always informed about their case and potential outcomes.
- Expertise: Representing plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury and wrongful death cases; adept at case development and negotiation.
- Credentials: Juris Doctor, University of Oregon School of Law; Bachelor’s in Political Science, University of Oregon; admitted to Oregon Bar and Federal Court.
- Approach: Focuses on clear, proactive communication with clients and creative problem solving for optimal results.
- Personal: Portland native who enjoys traveling, ski touring, biking, camping, and climbing. Has studied abroad in Israel and Spain, and relishes the outdoor lifestyle Oregon offers.
Awards & Memberships
Step-By-Step Checklist:
What to Do After an Auto Crash in Portland
The actions you take in the hours and days immediately following a vehicle collision can make or break your legal claim. To safeguard your health and preserve your right to financial recovery, we recommend following this practical checklist:
- Report the Crash to Law Enforcement: Call 911 immediately so local law enforcement (such as the Portland Police Bureau or Oregon State Police) can secure the scene, arrange emergency medical support, and draft an official police traffic crash report.
- Seek Immediate Medical Evaluation: Even if you believe your injuries are minor, visit an emergency room or urgent care facility right away. Conditions like whiplash, internal bleeding, soft tissue tears, and traumatic brain injuries often mask symptoms due to the initial adrenaline surge. Prompt medical documentation establishes a direct link between the collision and your injuries.
- Document the Scene Thoroughly: Use your smartphone to take detailed photographs and videos of all vehicles involved, damage from multiple angles, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible physical injuries you sustained. Collect contact details from all eyewitnesses.
- File an Oregon DMV Accident Report Within 72 Hours: Under Oregon law (ORS 811.725), you must file an official Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report with the DMV within 72 hours if the collision results in injury, death, property damage exceeding $2,500, or towing of any vehicle. Failing to file this report can lead to the suspension of your driver’s license.
- Decline Recorded Statements from Other Insurers: The at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster may call you within 24 to 48 hours offering quick cash or asking for a recorded statement. Politely decline to speak with them or sign any medical releases until you have spoken with a qualified Portland car accident lawyer.
- Consult with Dawson Law Group: Contact our office for a free, comprehensive consultation so we can review your case, preserve critical evidence, and handle all communications with the insurance carriers.
Crucial Deadlines: Statute of Limitations for Oregon Car Accidents
Timing is critical in personal injury law. Oregon places strict legal deadlines on your right to file a lawsuit after a crash, known as the statute of limitations. Failing to take action within these statutory windows will permanently bar you from pursuing financial justice.
| Claim Type | Standard Oregon Deadline | Important Statutory Exception / Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 Years from the date of the crash (ORS 12.110) | Lawsuit must be filed in court before the second anniversary of the accident. |
| Property Damage Only | 6 Years from the date of damage (ORS 12.080) | Applies strictly to vehicle repair or replacement costs where no bodily injury occurred. |
| Wrongful Death | 3 Years from the date of injury causing death (ORS 30.020) | Must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. |
| Government Entity Claims | 180 Days Tort Claim Notice Requirement (ORS 30.275) | If a city, county, or state vehicle (like a TriMet bus or ODOT truck) is involved, formal notice must be sent within 180 days. |
Because gathering medical records, consulting expert witnesses, and conducting thorough accident reconstructions takes time, reaching out to our legal team as soon as possible ensures that all statutory deadlines are meticulously met.
Understanding the True Value of Your Claim
Every motor vehicle crash involves unique facts, making it impossible to calculate a precise settlement value without examining the specific details of your case. At Dawson Law Group, we leave no stone unturned when auditing your losses to demand full compensation across both economic and non-economic damage categories.
Economic Damages (Measurable Financial Losses)
Economic damages cover verifiable out-of-pocket expenses, including emergency room bills, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and vehicle repairs.
Non-Economic Damages (Quality of Life Losses)
Non-economic damages cover the human impact of a crash, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost enjoyment of life, permanent impairment, scarring, and loss of consortium. Our trial experience helps us effectively present these quality-of-life losses to insurers and juries to maximize your recovery.
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Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
At Dawson Law Group, our legal team brings decades of combined experience to a wide array of motor vehicle collision cases. We represent individuals and families in Portland, tailoring our legal approach to the specific details of your crash:
- Distracted Driving Accidents: Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic collisions in the Portland area. Whether a driver was texting, using navigation apps, or talking on a handheld device, we move quickly to secure phone records and witness statements to establish fault and hold negligent drivers accountable.
- Drunk and Impaired Driving Collisions: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a clear breach of safety. Beyond pursuing the impaired driver, we investigate third-party fault under Oregon Dram Shop laws (ORS 471.565) to hold bars, restaurants, or hosts responsible if they continued serving a visibly intoxicated patron.
- Intersection and T-Bone Crashes: Busy local intersections see frequent side-impact collisions caused by red-light running or failure to yield right-of-way. T-bone crashes often cause severe injuries, so we work with accident reconstruction specialists to prove exactly who had the right-of-way.
- Highway and High-Speed Collisions: High-velocity crashes on major corridors like I-5, I-205, I-84, and US-26 routinely cause life-altering injuries. These cases demand strong legal advocacy to secure compensation for long-term medical care and lost earning potential.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: Vulnerable road users face high risks when drivers fail to share the road. Whether you were hit in a marked crosswalk, bike lane, or neighborhood corridor, we aggressively advocate for cyclists and pedestrians to ensure insurance carriers take their injuries seriously.
- Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Claims: Many Oregon drivers carry inadequate insurance or no coverage at all. Under ORS 742.502, your own UM/UIM policy steps in to cover your losses. We leverage our insurance defense background to force your insurance provider to pay what your policy promises.
- Commercial Vehicle Collisions: Crashes involving delivery trucks or commercial vehicles involve complex safety regulations. We review driver logs, maintenance records, and company policies to hold both drivers and parent corporations fully accountable.
Speak Directly with an Experienced Attorney Today
When you choose Dawson Law Group, you never get handed off to paralegals or junior case managers. You work directly with experienced trial attorneys Bryan Dawson and Ben Larson, who bring over 50 years of combined legal expertise to answer your questions clearly and build a strategy focused on maximizing your financial recovery.
We handle all car accident claims on a strict contingency fee basis with zero upfront costs or attorney fees unless we win your case. Let us cover the expenses and handle the insurance adjusters while you focus on healing. Call our Portland office today at (503) 656-0400 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.