BEND CAR
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Car Accident Attorneys Serving Injured Victims in Bend and Throughout Oregon
About Johnston Law Firm
Bend is a city beloved by outdoor enthusiasts — tourists and locals alike. Offering year-round sporting adventures, plenty of great restaurants and breweries, outdoor concert venues, and beautiful scenery, it’s no wonder Bend has become such a vibrant and busy destination.
Sadly, with so much activity and people coming and going, Bend sees its fair share of car accidents. A serious vehicle crash can upend your life in a single moment. You may be facing a difficult physical recovery, untold stress, and mounting financial insecurities. This is no time to go it alone.
If your car accident was caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another individual, you likely have legal recourse for compensation. The experienced and empathetic legal team at Johnston Law Firm is adept at handling all manner of car accident cases. Our goal is to help Bend area families maximize their claims and regain their quality of life after a serious accident.
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident in Bend, call Johnston Law Firm or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our results-driven car accident attorneys can walk you through every step of the legal process while advocating on your behalf.
The Prevalence of Oregon Car Crashes
2022 data revealed that Oregon had the 8th-highest traffic fatality rate in the country. That same year, there were over 45,000 motor vehicle crashes across the state. Noticeably, Bend, Oregon, did not meet the city’s target goal for reducing the number of fatal crashes in the area.
Unfortunately, a great number of these car accidents were caused by driver error. When a driver is distracted, speeding, impaired, or otherwise negligent, a devastating accident may result. If you are the victim of such an accident, a Bend personal injury lawyer can help you establish how the incident occurred and advise you on the best course of legal action.
Establishing Liability After a Bend Area Car Accident
A successful Oregon car accident claim hinges on whether you can prove the degree of liability of the other party. Every driver is required to uphold the laws of the road when behind the wheel of any vehicle. When a driver neglects this duty of care, he or she may be found liable for a collision.
An experienced car accident lawyer will use his or her legal knowledge and resources to establish these required elements of negligence and liability:
- The at-fault party had a legal obligation to adhere to a certain standard of conduct
- The at-fault party breached this duty of care by failing to drive carefully
- The breach of duty caused your injuries
- You suffered real losses as a result of your injuries
Proving another individual’s negligence without sound legal representation can be a complicated and stressful undertaking. The car accident attorneys at Johnston Law Firm can review the facts of your case and help you build a robust injury claim against the liable parties.
Common Injuries in Oregon Car Accident Claims
Nearly 37,000 persons were injured in Oregon motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2022. When a car accident injury is serious, the lasting impact on the victims and their families can be significant.
After a severe injury, car accident victims often find themselves unable to work for some time or even permanently, which leads to considerable personal and economic losses. To ensure that your accident claim fully represents the extent of your injuries, you need the help of a qualified attorney.
Car accident claims often comprise such injuries as:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation or loss of a limb
- Back and neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Knee injuries
- Lacerations
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Facial injuries
- Dislocated joints
- Miscarriage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Wrongful death
These kinds of injuries can shatter life as you know it. Car accident injuries of any kind should never be taken lightly. Some severe injuries may not be initially manifest, yet your long-term prognosis may depend, in part, on how quickly you sought medical attention.
Thus, it is vital to promptly address any and all injuries as soon as possible after a car accident. Furthermore, your medical records will serve as valuable evidence of the real extent of your injuries when seeking just financial compensation for your losses.
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Potential Compensation After a Car Accident in Bend
A serious accident can result in devastating losses and may involve a totaled vehicle, severe injuries, and emotional pain and suffering. If you were hurt as a result of the negligence or carelessness of another driver or individual in the Bend area, you can pursue legal action for what you have gone through.
In a personal injury claim, car accident victims may qualify to seek compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Permanent disability and impairment
- Past, present, and future lost wages and benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle damage
- Other personal property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional pain and anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Additional financial losses
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
Your life may be forever changed after a serious car accident. In the face of such difficulties, seeking financial restitution from the responsible parties is often an essential step in being able to move forward from the terrible event.
A seasoned local injury lawyer can evaluate the full scale of your losses and the impact they have on your daily life. He or she will then help you pursue enough compensation to meet your current needs and secure your comfort well into the future.
How a Bend Car Accident Lawyer Can Support You
Whether you are commuting to work, running errands, or out for a full day on the mountain, car accidents tend to catch you unsuspecting and leave you reeling. In the aftermath of such an event in the Bend area, your car accident lawyer will focus on protecting your legal rights so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
An accident attorney can assist you in a number of important ways:
Hiring an attorney after a serious car accident is in your best interest. Having a dependable personal injury lawyer on your side will ease your stress and bring you peace of mind as he or she seeks justice for all you have gone through.
Clarifying your rights: A personal injury lawyer knows the local and state laws and how they pertain to your circumstances. He or she can help to determine who was at fault and whether negligence led to your car accident.
Providing legal guidance and practical support: Your attorney can give you knowledgeable and objective advice on how to best proceed with your claim. The process of resolving an accident claim is rarely straightforward and often involves many parties, including lawyers, medical personnel, and insurance negotiators. A qualified personal injury lawyer can communicate with all involved parties and negotiate with them on your behalf.
Navigating the legal system: Accident claims generally involve filing a great deal of paperwork. Your lawyer will help you to do this in an organized and timely manner, ensuring that no important deadlines are overlooked. Additionally, your accident attorney will prepare you for any mediation or arbitration hearings that may be required in the process of resolving your case.
Assessing damages: Your car accident lawyer can help you quantify the full extent of your physical, emotional, and financial losses. By thoroughly assessing your current damages as well as evaluating what your future expenses may be, your attorney can ensure that you pursue enough compensation to cover your needs sufficiently over the long term.
Reviewing settlement offers: Your attorney will carefully review any settlement offers to make certain they fairly represent your damages and fully meet your needs. He or she will also challenge any attempt to undervalue or deny your car accident claim.
Representing you in court if necessary: Although the majority of car accident claims are settled out of court, having a personal injury lawyer already familiar with your case is invaluable in the event your case goes to trial. Experienced court representation can warrant a more favorable outcome for accident victims.
Frequently
Asked Questions
In the aftermath of a collision, it’s natural to feel disoriented, but taking the right steps is crucial to safeguarding both your health and your legal rights. If emergency responders recommend medical treatment, it’s essential to follow their advice. If you’re able to remain at the scene, take the following actions:
- Wait for the police to arrive and provide your account of the incident.
- Gather names and contact information from any witnesses and other parties involved.
- Take photographs of the vehicles, injuries, road conditions, and anything else that may be relevant.
- Make notes about any unusual weather, lighting, or road conditions.
- Seek a medical evaluation promptly, even if you feel fine, to identify any injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
Any individual or entity whose negligent behavior contributed to the accident can be held liable for your losses. This may include:
- Drivers who were distracted, impaired, aggressive, or violated traffic laws;
- Government agencies that failed to properly maintain or repair hazardous roadways;
- Manufacturers of defective vehicle components, such as faulty brakes, tires, or airbags.
Identifying the correct party, or parties, is key to building a strong claim. Your legal strategy may differ depending on whether the responsible party is a private individual, a business, or a government entity.
While it may be tempting to accept a fast payout, initial settlement offers are often lower than what your claim is truly worth. Accepting a settlement means signing a waiver that gives up your right to pursue additional compensation later, even if new expenses arise.
Before accepting any offer, consult with an experienced car accident attorney who can evaluate whether the amount is fair and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf to help you recover the full value of your damages.
Yes. Under Oregon’s comparative negligence laws, you may still be entitled to compensation even if you were partially responsible—so long as your share of fault is less than 51%. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For instance, if you’re found to be 30% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 30%. These cases can be complex, so it’s important to work with a lawyer who can help ensure fault is assessed fairly and your rights are protected.
In Oregon, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those arising from car accidents, is two years from the date of the accident. If you do not file a lawsuit within this time frame, you will likely lose the right to seek compensation in court. It’s best to consult an attorney as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed within the legal deadline.
A wrongful death occurs when someone is killed as a result of another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional behavior. In car accident cases, this can include fatal crashes caused by drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, or failure to maintain safe roadways or vehicles. If your loved one lost their life due to someone else’s failure to act responsibly, your family may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim for compensation and justice.
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Testimonials
Sally Martinez
– Michelle E.
Mr. Johnston and his firm were incredibly thorough in getting us a fair settlement from our insurance company with little to no pressure. We really appreciated having someone who truly cared about us every step of the way. I would highly recommend the Johnston Law Firm to anyone in need of personal injury representation.
Contact Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm to Speak With an Understanding Car Accident Lawyer
A serious car accident can lead to boundless physical, emotional, and financial stress. In the wake of such an incident, we understand that the prospect of filing a car accident claim or lawsuit may seem like the last thing you have the capacity to handle. Please rest assured that diligent and empathetic legal help is at the ready.
At Johnston Law Firm, we pride ourselves on upholding the legal rights of injured Oregonians. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was not your fault in the Bend area, our highly rated, successful, and approachable legal team can go to bat for you. We will leave no stone unturned in determining who is liable for your losses and securing the full and rightful compensation you are due.
Our law firm is committed to providing each client with the individual care and attention he or she deserves. Over the course of his career, attorney Marc A. Johnston has helped thousands of injury victims across Oregon rebuild their lives in the aftermath of a tragic accident.
After a car accident, you need trustworthy legal guidance and support. Call Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm in Bend directly or fill out our online contact form for a free, confidential case review. Learn what our award-winning law firm can do for you.
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