Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated December 19, 2018
If you've been in a car accident while driving in the Beaver State, you may wonder whether you need to report it. Under Oregon law, you must file an accident report with the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 72 hours of an accident if it results in injury, death, or property damage over $1,500 (including vehicle damage, even if your vehicle was the only one involved in the crash), or if any vehicle is towed from the scene of the accident. If you do not file an accident report under these conditions, then your driver's license will become suspended.
The below provided table provides instructions on how to file a car crash report in Oregon and other legal information about Oregon car accident reporting.
State Statutes |
Oregon Revised Statutes, Oregon Vehicle Code § 811.720 |
When to Report: |
You must file an accident report to the Oregon DMV if the accident results in any of the following:
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How to File a Car Crash Report in Oregon: |
If you are involved in an accident meeting the above conditions, you must file an accident report or the Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report with the Oregon DMV within 72 hours of the accident. The report must contain at the very least:
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
If you were involved in an accident where the damages (to vehicles and/or non-vehicle property) were less than $1,500, you are allowed to report to the Oregon DMV if the other party doesn't have insurance, but you are not required to do so. However, in the accident report, be sure to specify that the accident does not meet mandatory reporting criteria.
It is also important to note that in Oregon, a police report does not count as filing an accident report with the Oregon DMV. If you are involved in an accident that meets the mandatory reporting criteria, you must also still file an accident report with DMV even though a police report has already been filed by the police for the accident.
Certain laws require drivers to file a report after a car accident, and failure to do so can result in suspension of a driver's license. It's a good idea to reach out to a local car accident attorney to address any questions you may still have on how to file a car crash report in Oregon.
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