Detailed answer: What you can do in Oregon when a crash report says you failed to yield

Police crash reports often state an officer’s opinion about fault or contributing actions such as “failed to yield.” Those findings can influence insurance decisions and citations, but they are not the final word. Under Oregon law, traffic rules and right‑of‑way rules are in the Oregon Revised Statutes, especially the statutes collected under Chapter 811. You can review those statutes here: ORS Chapter 811 (Traffic Laws).

Follow these steps to challenge a failed‑to‑yield finding effectively:

1. Get the official crash report and read it carefully.

   Request a certified copy from the agency that prepared it (city police, county sheriff, or Oregon State Police). Confirm who authored the narrative and which sections are facts (location, time, environmental conditions) versus opinion (statements about who failed to yield).

2. Preserve and collect independent evidence immediately.

   Collect photos of the scene, vehicle damage from multiple angles, vehicle positions, skid marks, road signs, and traffic control devices. Save any dashcam, phone video, or nearby surveillance footage and get written contact details for witnesses. Make timestamped copies and back them up.

3. Obtain witness statements.

   Ask witnesses for short written or recorded statements with their contact information. Independent eyewitness accounts can contradict or clarify an officer’s assertion about yielding.

4. Ask the reporting agency for a supplement or correction.

   Contact the records unit of the police or sheriff’s office that prepared the report. Provide your evidence and politely request that they add a supplement or an addendum. Many agencies will add additional facts or a note that new evidence was submitted. If the officer made a clear factual error (wrong location, time, or vehicle identification), request correction.

5. If you received a citation, contest it in court.

   A police report is different from a court determination. If you were issued a traffic ticket for failing to yield, you can plead not guilty and ask for a hearing in the traffic court listed on your citation. Present your evidence, witness testimony, and any expert analysis (for serious crashes) at that hearing. For general information about traffic citations and courts in Oregon, start at the Oregon Judicial Department: courts.oregon.gov.

6. Provide your evidence to insurers and dispute their determination if needed.

   Insurance companies will often rely on the police report, but they must consider all credible evidence. Submit your photos, witness statements, and any supplemental police report to your insurer and the other party’s insurer. If an insurer refuses to change an adverse liability decision, you can file a complaint with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation: dfr.oregon.gov.

7. Consider expert help for complex crashes.

   For high‑impact collisions or complex dynamics, a crash reconstructionist can analyze vehicle damage, skid marks, and physical evidence to show how the crash occurred. That analysis can be persuasive to courts, insurers, or the reporting agency.

8. If the reporting agency refuses to change the report, escalate carefully.

   You can ask for an internal review, contact the agency’s records supervisor, or file a complaint with the agency’s internal affairs or oversight body. If you believe the report contains false statements that harm your reputation and you have strong evidence, you may want to consult an attorney to discuss legal options. Keep in mind police findings are typically considered opinions and may be rebutted in court or by documentation.

9. Keep detailed records of all communications.

   Log names, dates, and what was said when you speak to police, insurers, or witnesses. Save emails, certified mail receipts, and copies of anything you submit.

10. When to speak to an attorney.

    If the crash led to significant injuries, criminal charges, license suspension, or if insurers deny coverage or assign full fault to you despite strong exculpatory evidence, get advice from a lawyer who handles Oregon traffic and auto crash matters. A lawyer can file motions in court, subpoena additional evidence, or negotiate with insurers.

Remember: police reports are influential but not binding. You can present stronger evidence and obtain a different result in court or from insurers.

Key Oregon resources

• Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 811 (Traffic Laws)
• Oregon Judicial Department (traffic citation & court info)
• Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (insurance complaints)
• Contact information for the agency that prepared the crash report (city police, county sheriff, or Oregon State Police).

Helpful hints

• Act quickly. Physical evidence and witness recollection fade fast. Take photos and collect statements as soon as possible.
• Keep calm and be factual when speaking to officers, insurers, and witnesses. Emotional statements can be used against you.
• Mark and preserve digital evidence. Save original video files and do not overwrite dashcam footage.
• Distinguish facts from opinions. The officer may record both. Emphasize objective facts you can prove (positions, times, signals, damage patterns).
• Use a map or simple diagram in your evidence bundle. A clear sketch with dimensions, landmarks, and vehicle paths helps judges and adjusters.
• If you decide to hire a crash reconstructionist or lawyer, get written estimates and understand the scope before paying fees.
• When contesting a citation, show up to the scheduled court date or follow the citation instructions. Missing deadlines can forfeit your right to challenge a ticket.
• If an insurer denies a claim, ask for a written explanation of the reasons and the evidence they relied on.