Yes, passengers can get compensation from an accident regardless of who is at fault in almost all cases. Under ORS 742.520, you're entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) benefits from the vehicle you were riding in, covering medical expenses up to at least $15,000 immediately. If you have auto insurance of your own, you may also be entitled to additional coverage from your own policy.

If there are still outstanding expenses after this coverage has been exhausted, you still have options. When it comes to your accident compensation as a passenger, it generally does not matter who was driving, who ran the red light, or who was speeding. Under Oregon law, you can file claims against whichever driver was at fault, or both of them if they share fault.

You can still claim. This is the question almost every passenger asks, and here's the reality: you're filing against their insurance policy, not taking money out of their pocket. That's exactly what auto insurance is for. Your friend's insurer will handle the claim. Your friend won't be writing you a check. Don't let a personal relationship cost you thousands in medical bills you shouldn't be paying.

More than you'd think. You can potentially access: PIP from the vehicle you were in ($15,000+ in medical, plus wage loss, regardless of fault), the at-fault driver's liability insurance ($25,000/$50,000 minimums in Oregon), your own PIP if you have an auto policy, and your own UM/UIM coverage if the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured. If you were in a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, their $1 million commercial policy covers passengers during active trips. An experienced attorney identifies every available policy so nothing gets left on the table.

Passengers injured in vehicle accidents may be entitled to medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any long-term impacts on your life. In Oregon, there is no fixed cap on pain and suffering damages for living plaintiffs. The value of your claim depends on injury severity, recovery timeline, and available coverage. Because passengers can typically access multiple insurance policies, the total pool of available compensation is often larger than in a standard driver-vs-driver accident.

You still have options. PIP from the car you were in pays regardless. Your own UM/UIM coverage (if you have an auto policy) kicks in to cover the gap. Oregon mandates UM/UIM coverage at minimum limits matching your liability limits ($25,000/$50,000) unless you opted for lower limits in writing (ORS 742.502). An attorney can stack available policies to maximize your recovery even when the at-fault driver has nothing.

Generally, you'll have two years from the date of the accident under Oregon law (ORS 12.110). But don't wait. PIP benefits must also be claimed within two years, and evidence fades fast. Insurance companies use delays against you. Call as soon as possible.

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency: you pay zero unless we win. Our fee is a percentage of your settlement, typically 33-40%.