Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Portland

Patrick D. Angel Personally Handles Every Portland Drunk Driving Case We Accept

A crash caused by an impaired driver changes everything in an instant. At Angel Law, P.C., we represent people injured by drunk drivers throughout Portland and the surrounding areas, including Beaverton. Attorney Patrick D. Angel personally oversees every case we accept, and we deliberately limit our caseload so each client receives direct, one-on-one attention throughout their case. With over two decades of trial experience, Patrick brings genuine courtroom capability to every claim, not just negotiation leverage.

One thing many Portland victims don’t realize: a criminal DUII charge and a civil personal injury claim are entirely separate legal proceedings. Oregon uses the term DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) for the statutory offense, but a criminal conviction isn’t required for you to pursue civil compensation. Whether or not the driver is ever charged or convicted, you may have a valid claim for the financial, physical, and emotional losses you’ve suffered.

We offer free consultations and handle every case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless we win. Virtual meetings are available, and our team provides bilingual services in English and Spanish.

Speak directly with our drunk driving accident attorney in Portland by calling (503) 862-8666 to schedule your free consultation.

Proving Negligence in an Oregon Drunk Driving Accident

Establishing liability in a civil drunk driving claim requires more than pointing to a BAC reading. Under ORS 813.010, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher constitutes a per se DUII violation. In a civil claim, that finding can establish negligence per se, a legal doctrine meaning the court doesn’t need additional proof of negligent conduct. You still must connect the driver’s impairment to your specific injuries and losses, though. A driver who blew a 0.12% doesn’t automatically owe you damages without that link.

Even when a BAC comes in below 0.08%, a driver who was visibly impaired can still be found civilly liable. The key is building a complete picture of what happened. We gather police reports, field sobriety test results, breathalyzer and blood test records, toxicology reports, witness statements, and accident scene documentation to construct that case. Attorney Angel draws on more than 20 years of trial experience to evaluate what evidence will matter most and to calculate compensation for every category of loss.

Recoverable losses in an Oregon drunk driving accident claim may include:

• Medical bills for initial emergency treatment
• Costs of ongoing care or rehabilitation
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Damage to your vehicle or other property
• Pain and suffering and emotional distress

Who Can Be Held Liable Beyond the Driver

The intoxicated driver is the primary liable party, but Oregon law allows injured victims to pursue claims against others whose actions contributed to the crash. Identifying every potentially liable party can affect the total compensation available to you.

Oregon Dram Shop Liability
Under ORS 471.565, bars, restaurants, and other licensed establishments that serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron who then causes an accident may be held liable for resulting injuries. Dram shop claims carry strict notice requirements: written notice must be provided within 180 days of the accident for injury claims, or within one year for wrongful death claims. Missing these deadlines can bar recovery against the establishment entirely, which is one reason early legal consultation matters.

Social Hosts
Social hosts who furnished alcohol to a minor may also face liability under Oregon law if that minor then caused a crash.

Vehicle Owners
A vehicle owner who knowingly allowed an impaired person to drive their vehicle can face liability under the doctrine of negligent entrustment.

Employers
When an employee caused a crash while acting within the scope of their employment, the employer may share liability for the resulting damages.

Oregon Insurance Rules & How Fault Affects Your Recovery

Oregon uses a hybrid insurance system. Every driver must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for certain losses regardless of who caused the accident. You can also file an at-fault claim directly against the impaired driver through their liability insurance. If the drunk driver was uninsured or carried insufficient coverage, you may be able to seek compensation through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.

Oregon follows modified comparative negligence under ORS 31.600. You can recover damages as long as your share of fault doesn’t exceed 51%, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies routinely try to minimize payouts by disputing injury severity or pushing fault onto the victim. Having a drunk driving accident lawyer in Portland handle your claim can make a concrete difference in countering those tactics.

Why Portland Clients Choose Angel Law, P.C.

When you hire Angel Law, P.C., you work with Patrick D. Angel directly, not a paralegal or a junior associate. That direct access matters in complex claims where strategy decisions arise quickly and communication gaps cost you. Patrick has practiced personal injury law since 2003 and is a former U.S. Marine whose commitment to his clients reflects that background.

Our firm has recovered significant results for clients in high-stakes cases, including a $5.5 million civil rights and jail death matter and a $5 million medical malpractice recovery. These are examples of past results and not a promise of any particular outcome in your case. What they demonstrate is that we don’t settle for less when more is warranted, and insurance companies know it. A firm willing to take cases to trial signals to adjusters that low offers won’t be accepted.

Attorney Angel has been named to Super Lawyers from 2014 through 2019 and holds a Superb 10.0 rating on Avvo. He carries the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-recognition level the organization awards. Angel Law, P.C. has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since June 29, 2017, with an A+ rating. Our team is available around the clock so clients never have to wait for answers.

Evidence preservation is time-sensitive after a drunk driving crash. Witness memories fade, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and dram shop notice deadlines arrive quickly. Contacting a drunk driving accident attorney in Portland as soon as possible after the crash can protect your ability to pursue every available avenue of recovery.

Ready to talk? Call (503) 862-8666 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.