Washington County, Oregon

Hillsboro Personal Injury Lawyer

Award-winning legal representation for Hillsboro residents. Johnson Law, P.C. provides proven personal injury advocacy throughout Washington County.

Useful Personal Injury Information for Hillsboro Residents

Essential local resources, deadlines, and procedures every Hillsboro injury victim should know.

1. ODOT TripCheck Cameras in Hillsboro (ORE-8 Corridor) — Act Fast

Cameras on ORE-8 (Tualatin Valley Hwy):

  • • TV Hwy @ Brookwood Ave (Hillsboro) - TripCheck
  • • TV Hwy @ Cornelius Pass Rd (Hillsboro) - TripCheck
  • • TV Hwy @ NW 185th Ave (Aloha, just east of Hillsboro) - TripCheck

Act-Fast Explainer:

ODOT's TripCheck images are live still shots and are not archived by ODOT. If a crash occurs, there's no state-run backfill to retrieve older frames later. If the image was visible when the page refreshed, it's gone if you didn't capture it.

Practical Takeaways:

  1. Screenshot or save immediately
  2. Note exact camera name/time
  3. Pair with private/merchant video preservation letters near the crash site

2. Exactly Who to Request Police Reports From (By Jurisdiction)

Use the incident location to choose the right custodian:

Inside City of Hillsboro (HPD Cases)

Request through the City's Police "Reports & Policies" page or the City Public Records Request portal (City Recorder routes to Police Records).

Hillsboro, Oregon

Unincorporated Areas (Aloha, Cornelius PD Contract, Rural)

Handled by Washington County Sheriff's Office: Request via the Sheriff's Public Records & Documents page (WCSO Records Section).

Washington County, Oregon

State Highways or OSP-Investigated Crashes

Submit to Oregon State Police Central Records (contact and request form). Note: OSP directs insurance/crash report copies to DMV, but investigative records flow through OSP Central Records.

Oregon

Tip: If you're unsure who wrote the primary report, ask WCCCA (dispatch) for the CAD incident number to confirm the lead agency before filing requests.

3. Washington County Ambulance Transport Changed (Metro West → AMR)

Washington County awarded the 9-1-1 ambulance franchise to American Medical Response (AMR), with operations beginning August 1, 2023. (This replaced Metro West after decades as the provider.) Point your medical records and patient-care-report (PCR) requests accordingly, keyed to incident date.

Before Aug 1, 2023

Metro West Ambulance

After Aug 1, 2023

American Medical Response (AMR)

4. The 180-Day Trap (Claims Against the City of Hillsboro)

Critical Deadline: In Oregon, written tort claim notice for injury claims against a public body must be given within 180 days of the loss (1 year for wrongful death).

For City of Hillsboro claims, send notice to City of Hillsboro – Risk Management.
(Retain proof of delivery)

5. Trail and Recreational Areas: When the City ISN'T Liable

Injured on a Hillsboro trail or park? Oregon's "recreational immunity" laws (ORS 105.682) often protect cities from liability when someone gets hurt during recreational activities on free public land.

Hillsboro Example: Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve

What's Protected
  • • 4+ miles of trails
  • • Free public access
  • • Natural surface conditions
  • • Weather-related hazards
Possible Exceptions
  • • Willful or malicious failure to guard
  • • Dangerous artificial conditions
  • • Known traps or hazards
  • • Structures in disrepair

Legal Reality Check

Most trail injuries = no liability for the city. BUT every case depends on specific facts. Recent Oregon legislation expanded these protections, with some provisions set to sunset—always check current law.

Key Questions for Your Case

  1. Was this truly "recreational use" under Oregon law?
  2. Was access provided free of charge?
  3. Did the city create an artificial dangerous condition?
  4. Was there willful or malicious failure to warn of known hazards?

6. Dog Bite Cases: What You Need to Know

Dog bite cases in Hillsboro involve both Washington County health protocols and city ordinances. Understanding the immediate steps and legal requirements can strengthen your case.

Immediate Health & Safety Protocol

Required Quarantine
  • • 10-day observation period
  • • Dogs, cats, and ferrets
  • • Often done at owner's home
  • • Supervised by Animal Services
Who Gets Involved
  • • Washington County Public Health
  • • Animal Services enforcement
  • • Local law enforcement
  • • Medical providers

Hillsboro City Laws You Can Use

HMC Chapter 6.20 - Animals & Dangerous Animals

Dogs cannot "run at large" in Hillsboro. Owners must confine dangerous animals. Violations support negligence per se claims.

Parks & Public Lands Rules

Dogs must be leashed in city parks. Some areas (like wetlands) prohibit pets entirely. Check where the bite occurred.

Evidence You Need to Collect

From Animal Services
  • • Bite report number
  • • Quarantine documentation
  • • Dangerous dog determinations
  • • Prior incident reports
From Dog Owner
  • • Vaccination records
  • • Homeowner's/renter's insurance
  • • Prior knowledge of aggression
  • • Compliance with leash laws

Key Contact Information

Washington County Animal Services: 503-846-8388

Report online: Washington County Public Health portal

Emergency bites: Call 911, then follow up with Animal Services

7. Slow-Moving Vehicles (SMV) — and Hillsboro's Farming Roots

Hillsboro's transportation network is not just urban. The city grew from deep agricultural roots, and active farm operations remain in Helvetia, Scholls, and along the rural edges of town. That context matters in roadway cases: motorists are expected to encounter tractors, harvesters, and other equipment on county roads.

Liability Hooks Under Oregon Law

ORS 815.110 requires vehicles "designed for customary use at speeds of less than 25 miles per hour" to display a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem.

Do Not Fight Insurance Companies Alone

Let Experienced Trial Lawyers Fight For You

Every day you wait gives insurance companies more time to build their defense against your claim. Contact Johnson Law, P.C. today for your free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney who will fight for maximum compensation.

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