When you’re injured in a car accident, insurance limits play a crucial role in determining the compensation you can receive. These limits are the maximum amounts an insurance policy will pay for a claim. Whether you’re dealing with a motor vehicle accident, property damage, or pain and suffering, understanding these limits is essential to navigating your insurance claim.

What Are Insurance Limits?

Insurance limits refer to the maximum amount an insurance company is obligated to pay under a specific policy. In Oregon, for example, the mandatory minimum auto insurance limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Here’s what that means:

• Per Person Limit: This is the maximum amount available to a single injured party—$25,000 in Oregon.
• Per Accident Limit: This is the total maximum amount available to all injured parties combined—$50,000 in Oregon.

If you’re the victim of a car crash, these limits dictate how much you can recover from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.  

Multiple Claimants: How Limits Are Divided

When more than one person is injured in a car accident, things can get complicated. For instance, using the above “25/50” policy limits as an example, if three people were injured in the crash, the total amount the insurance company could be forced to pay is $50,000 - but not necessarily equally split.  

Let’s say the three individuals sustain similar injuries, such as broken legs requiring surgery.  The insurance company could settle with the three people for an equal share of $16,666.66 apiece - well under the $25,000 per-person limit.  Why? Because the insurance company is capped at the per accident limit of $50,000, meaning it would never have to pay more than that amount in total.

Or,  the insurance company could choose to settle with one of the four injured parties for the per-person maximum of $25,000, that would leave only the remaining $25,000 to be split amongst the other two people.  Or the insurance company could settle with the first two people for the maximum $25,000 per person limit, totalling the per accident limit of $50,000, leaving nothing for the third injured person!

In many such cases, accident victims often feel under-compensated, especially if their medical expenses exceed their share of the settlement, or if they are receiving less than other similarly injured individuals.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Navigating these complex scenarios often requires the expertise of a personal injury attorney. An experienced car accident attorney can:

• Identify additional insurance policies that may provide supplemental coverage.
• Analyze the details of your personal injury claim to maximize compensation under each policy.
• Ensure all necessary steps are taken to preserve your right to file a claim against multiple policies.
• Negotiate with insurance companies to protect your interests.

Without proper legal representation, accident victims risk leaving significant compensation on the table.

Common Challenges in Insurance Claims

Filing an accident claim isn’t always straightforward. Insurance companies often:

• Cite exclusions in policies to deny claims.
• Attempt to minimize payouts, especially in cases involving multiple claimants.
• Require extensive documentation, such as medical records and police reports, to validate claims.

Understanding the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Oregon is also critical. Failing to file a claim within this timeframe can result in losing your right to seek compensation entirely.

How an Auto Accident Attorney Can Help

An auto accident attorney can guide you through the process of filing an insurance claim while ensuring your rights are protected. They can:

• Investigate the details of your motor vehicle accident.
• Handle communication with insurance adjusters.
• Build a strong case using evidence such as police reports and medical records.
• Seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.

If you’ve suffered injuries in a car crash or need help with an accident claim, working with experienced accident attorneys can make all the difference. This way, you can build a strong case through legal counsel who holds your interest as the highest priority, subject to any decisions you make otherwise of course.

Free Consultation

At Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Attorneys, our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping accident victims secure the maximum compensation they deserve. Whether you’re filing a claim for property damage or pursuing legal action in a wrongful death case, our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Call us today at (541) 617-0555 to schedule a free consultation. Don’t navigate the legal process alone—let us help you get the compensation you deserve.