Forest PERSONAL
INJURY LAWYER

Representing injured Victims 
In Forest Grove and
Throughout All Of Oregon

X

The risk of fatal and injury-causing accidents is high, but you might not realize how frequently these tragic incidents occur. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 25 million people are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year for unintentional injuries. Almost 201,000 are killed in accidents that are preventable, making accidents the fourth leading cause of death in the US. It is a relief to know that you have legal remedies under Oregon personal injury laws, but the process for recovering compensation is complicated.

You can count on the Johnston Law Firm to pursue the at-fault parties and guide you through the process for recovering compensation. We are aggressive in dealing with insurance companies, but we are ready to take your case to court to protect your rights. Please contact us to set up a complimentary consultation with a Forest Grove personal injury attorney. Some background on the relevant legal concepts is also informative.

Our Representation for 
Oregon Accident Victims

Our firm is dedicated to supporting victims in a wide array of accident claims, so trust us to assist with:

We are ready to assist with all types of personal injury claims, including:

• Traffic Accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle collisions are often caused by speeding, failure to yield, drunk drivers, and other carelessness. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents are also covered by auto crash laws, even though the victim was not in a motorized vehicle. 
• Slip and Falls: Property owners have a duty to maintain a safe space, so they can be liable for failure to do so. Slips, trips, falls, and other accidents are more likely when hazards are present. 
• Defective Products: Manufacturers are accountable when they allow a dangerous, defective product to enter the stream of commerce. 
• Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect: Assisted living centers have legal obligations by statute and contract, but they may fail to uphold their duties. 
• Medical Malpractice: Health care providers are required to deliver treatment in accordance with certain medical standards. Patients who suffer harm may have a claim under medical malpractice laws.
• Wrongful Death: When an accident is fatal, surviving family members may have legal options. It is possible to recover compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Don’t miss out on these common personal injury mistakes.

Get the legal counsel you need to guide you through the process of filing an injury claim.

Essential Elements in Personal Injury Cases

Though the specific reasons behind an accident may vary, these incidents usually occur because someone was negligent. The term is often used interchangeably with carelessness, but negligence is a theory of liability in the practice of law. To qualify for compensation, there are four sets of facts you must show:

1. The other person or entity had a duty to use reasonable care when acting, whether driving, maintaining property, or treating patients.
2. The at-fault party breached this legal duty through unreasonably unsafe actions.
3. The breach of duty was the direct cause of the accident in which you were injured.
4. You suffered physical, emotional, and financial losses because of being hurt.

Enforcing Your
Rights After an Accident

In most personal injury cases, the legal process starts by filing an insurance claim. You might expect to fill out some forms, but there are additional details when dealing with an insurer. These companies are for-profit businesses, and your claim represents a loss. Without sufficient evidence of fault by the policyholder and the extent of your losses, the insurer will likely deny your claim.

In some cases, you may be able to settle your claim by agreement. The key with negotiations is knowing what your claim is worth, because the company will offer a lowball settlement. Your claim could go to mediation to facilitate agreement, and some cases are resolved through the process.

If the insurance company will not pay a fair amount, you will need to sue in court. The litigation process is extremely complicated, from filing the complaint to the trial.

Legal Assistance
with Accident Cases

While an overview about personal injury laws is useful, the details have a profound impact on your rights. It is wise to get qualified legal help from a Forest Grove personal injury lawyer to handle all steps of the process. The Johnston Law Firm will support you by:

• Conducting an investigation to prove fault;
• Gathering all evidence regarding negligence and your losses;
• Completing all insurance claims forms and submitting them to the insurer with supporting documents;
• Discussing settlement options with the insurance company;
• Advocating on your behalf during mediation; and,
• Representing you throughout the litigation process.

Our firm will prepare the complaint to initiate the lawsuit, and we will deal with all court hearings, discovery, depositions, and motions. At trial, we will present evidence, testimony, and arguments to obtain the best possible result.

FAQs About
Personal Injury Claims

This description of accident claims is useful, but it is helpful to review answers to common questions about these cases.