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.
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.
Learn More About How an Astoria Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
You should never have to go through the process of seeking compensation for car accident injuries on your own. These cases can be extremely complicated, and negotiating with insurance companies and at-fault drivers can be very difficult. An experienced and compassionate Astoria car accident lawyer at our firm can answer questions you have about your case, and we can get started on the process of seeking financial compensation for your losses. Car accidents in Oregon can be devastating, leading to massive medical bills, lost workdays, and significant lost wages. Our team can help you seek the compensation you need.
Contact Johnston Law Firm today to find out how we can assist with your claim.
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