Astoria CAR
ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Oregon Auto Accident 
Lawyer Representing
Injury Victims in Astoria

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Astoria is one of the most widely visited historic coastal cities in Oregon, with charming Victorian houses, beautiful scenery, and a maritime museum. This port city “seems like it was plucked right out of a storybook” as they say. Yet, just like in other picturesque towns along the Oregon coast, serious motor vehicle accidents can also happen in and around Astoria. In 2017 alone, the Oregon Department of Transportation reports that a total of 403 fatal collisions occurred in Oregon, with a total of 57,726 crashes altogether. That number includes bicyclists and pedestrians, motorists, and truck accidents.

More often than not, a car crash in Astoria will result from another driver’s careless or reckless actions behind the wheel. From distracted driving and drunk driving collisions, to crashes caused by aggressive behaviors like speeding or tailgating, an experienced Astoria car accident attorney at our firm can help you to seek the financial compensation you deserve. At the Johnston Law Firm, we have years of experience representing clients in traffic collision cases, and we can speak with you today about how you can get started on the claims process.

Filing an Auto
Insurance Claim in Astoria

After you have been involved in a car wreck in or around Astoria, OR, one of your first steps should be reporting the collision to your own auto insurance company. Once you have reported the crash as required by your policy, then you should begin working with an aggressive car accident attorney in Astoria who can help you to determine the best way to file an auto insurance claim. To be sure, most auto accident cases will begin with an insurance claim, and if the claimant cannot obtain sufficient compensation, then she or he can move onto a car accident lawsuit in Oregon.

Determining how to file your auto insurance claim can be complicated, and it is a decision you should make with assistance from your car accident lawyer. Oregon auto insurance law uses a “fault” system, which means that an injury victim who was injured in a collision caused by a driver’s negligence will be able to decide whether to file a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or to file a first-party insurance claim with his or her own insurance company. 

As a “fault” state for auto insurance purposes, Oregon law is a bit different from other fault states in that it requires motorists to carry personal injury protection (or PIP) benefits. PIP benefits are more common in “no fault” states. What this means is that an injury victim may be eligible to receive up to $15,000 through her own PIP benefits after a collision. Often, $15,000 is insufficient to cover a claimant’s losses, and she or he may file a third-party claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance company. 

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.

Seeking Compensation 
through an Astoria
Auto Accident Lawsuit

When an auto insurance claim will not provide you with the compensation to which you are entitled after a collision, the next step is to work with your Astoria auto accident lawyer on an Oregon car accident lawsuit. If you do need to file a lawsuit, you will need to ensure that your suit is filed in a timely manner.

Under Oregon law, most plaintiffs in Astoria car crash claims will have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This time window refers to the statute of limitations. Once the clock on the statute of limitations runs out, a plaintiff will most likely have a time-barred claim. Two years might seem like a long time right now, but that time can go by quickly, especially if you are trying to negotiate with an insurance company for a reasonable settlement offer. There is also a risk of losing valuable evidence if too much time goes by before you begin the claims process.