Hiring an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer in Oregon
The insurance Oregon requires for Uber and Lyft drivers, the deadline to sue, how lawyers usually charge (contingency fees), how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Oregon: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Oregon Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 prohibits illegal or clearly excessive fees, listing whether a fee is fixed or contingent among the reasonableness factors. Rule 1.5(c) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of spousal or child support or a property settlement, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. |
|---|---|
| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Oregon State Bar's Board of Governors voted to sunset its Fee Dispute Resolution Program effective September 25, 2026, so the program is no longer available. The bar points to its Client Security Fund for losses caused by dishonest conduct and notes that small claims court may be an option for fee disputes of $10,000 or less. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Oregon State Bar's Client Security Fund may reimburse money or property taken through dishonest conduct by an Oregon lawyer or licensed paralegal while providing legal services or acting as a fiduciary. It does not cover negligence or malpractice, business or investment dealings (including loans), interest, or losses paid by insurance or bonds. Generally the lawyer must have been convicted of a crime or be subject to a civil judgment (for losses of $5,000 or less, disbarment, suspension, reprimand or resignation also qualifies), and you must have tried unsuccessfully to recover; awards are discretionary. The maximum award is $100,000 for misconduct on or after January 1, 2022 ($50,000 for earlier conduct), and no more than the fees paid or money received. Claims must be filed within two years of the latest of the conviction, judgment, discipline or resignation, or when you knew or should have known of the loss, and never more than six years after the loss. Apply online or mail the signed application to Oregon State Bar, PO Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281; a lawyer is not required. |
Oregon rules to know first
| Required Uber/Lyft insurance | State insurance law requires an Uber/Lyft-type transportation network company (TNC) to provide each driver a motor vehicle liability policy with personal injury protection (PIP) benefits covering the driver, passengers and pedestrians struck by the vehicle at all times the driver is providing rides in affiliation with the company. A driver's personal auto insurer may exclude all coverage while the driver is providing TNC rides. Source: ORS 742.520(1)(b)-(e) |
|---|---|
| Fault rule | Modified comparative negligence (51% bar). An injured person can recover if their fault was not greater than the combined fault of the defendants and others the law requires the jury to compare (including people who settled); damages are reduced by the injured person's percentage of fault. Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 31.600 |
| Deadline to sue | Two years for assault, battery, false imprisonment, or any other injury to the person not arising from a contract. In addition, no action for negligent injury to a person or property may be filed more than 10 years after the act or omission (statute of ultimate repose). |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Oregon State Bar's Legal Referral Service refers you to a lawyer near you (or near where help is needed) who may be able to help. Use the online referral request form or call 503-684-3763 (toll-free in Oregon 800-452-7636); staff work remotely and do not accept walk-ins. You must contact the lawyer within two business days to schedule an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for a maximum fee of $50; additional fees are arranged directly with the lawyer. Participating attorneys charge for their services; the service does not offer free or pro bono attorneys. The bar's Modest Means Program offers reduced rates to eligible moderate-income Oregonians. |
|---|---|
| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Oregon State Bar's Licensee Directory can be searched by last name, first name, bar number or city (including previous names). The bar describes it as a convenience for finding licensees' contact information, not a complete listing; the Client Assistance Office says it also includes disciplinary history. A Good Standing Certificate can be ordered from the bar. Help: (503) 620-0222 x0, (800) 452-8260 x0 or info@osbar.org. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The Oregon State Bar's Client Assistance Office (CAO) reviews all complaints about lawyer and licensed paralegal conduct. Submit online with the ethics complaint form or mail a written complaint (no particular form required; send copies, not originals, on one side of each page) to Oregon State Bar, PO Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281. The CAO sends a copy to the lawyer and gives you a copy of any written response; it dismisses complaints without enough basis or refers them to Disciplinary Counsel's Office for investigation, after which the State Professional Responsibility Board may dismiss, admonish or authorize formal charges. All documents the bar receives are considered public records. Disciplinary history is shown in the Licensee Directory, and records can be requested through the bar's public records portal. Phone: (503) 620-0222 or (800) 452-8260. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | The Oregon Judicial Department's Get Help page points people to Oregon Law Help for free legal information and help finding free or low-cost lawyers, and notes that many courts have family law facilitators who give free information and assistance to self-represented people in family law cases. LSC lists Legal Aid Services of Oregon as its Oregon grantee. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
|---|
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.