BEAVERTON PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT LAWYER

We Fight for Pedestrian Accident Victims in Beaverton, Washington County
and Throughout Oregon Accident Lawyer

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As a city in the Portland metropolitan area, many residents enjoy walking for exercise and recreation, and some neighborhoods in Beaverton are known for being particularly walkable. Indeed, neighborhoods like Central Beaverton, Raleigh West, and Vose are cited as especially walkable neighborhoods in Beaverton, and there are also trails that many Beaverton residents enjoy. While Beaverton is not known as the most pedestrian-friendly city in the Portland metropolitan area, there are many places that see a large number of pedestrians on a regular basis. 

Pedestrians should be able to expect that they will be safe while walking as long as they follow the rules of the road and pay attention, yet car accidents involving pedestrians happen with some frequency, and they often result in severe injuries. Indeed, according to the CDC, there were more than 7,000 pedestrians who were killed in car accidents with motor vehicles in 2020, while approximately 104,000 pedestrians required treatment in emergency departments as a result of motor vehicle collisions. If you or someone you love got hurt in a pedestrian accident, you should get in touch with an experienced Beaverton pedestrian accident lawyer at the Johnston Law Firm who can assist you.

What to Do After a
Pedestrian Collision in Beaverton

A pedestrian collision can happen when you least expect it. The aftermath is often chaotic and confusing. As a pedestrian who has been struck by a vehicle, it is essential that you know what to do to protect your health, your well-being, and your ability to recover financial compensation. Here are four important things that you should do after being hit by a car in Beaverton: 

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Emergency medical needs come first. Non-emergency injuries still need to be checked out. Even if you do not think you have been severely hurt in a pedestrian crash in Beaverton, it is important to get checked out by a medical doctor. Not only for your health and safety, but for your ability to pursue compensation. 
2. Call the Police and Report the Accident: The police will create an official record of the accident and can help determine fault. This report can be important evidence if you need to file a personal injury claim later. Contact the Beaverton Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, or the Oregon State Police. 
3. Document the Pedestrian Crash: Oregon is an at-fault pedestrian accident state. You need to document exactly what happened. Take photos of the scene, including any damage to vehicles or property, as well as your injuries. Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. Keep track of any medical treatment you receive and save receipts for any expenses related to the accident.
4. Talk to a Lawyer Before an Insurer: You cannot trust any insurance company—even your own insurer—to look out for your best interests. Protect yourself and your rights by working with insurance companies through a legal professional. Consult with an experienced Beaverton, OR pedestrian accident attorney before you give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster. 

The Most Common Pedestrian Accident
Injuries in Beaverton, Oregon

Pedestrians are exposed to danger from oncoming traffic. Indeed, our state classifies pedestrians as vulnerable road users. Unfortunately, pedestrian collisions remain a serious safety problem. The Oregon Department of Transportationreports that an average of 60 pedestrians are injured in motor vehicle collisions on a monthly basis statement. Some of the most common injuries our Portland pedestrian accident lawyers have seen in Beaverton include: 

• Cuts and lacerations; 
• Road rash and skin disfigurement; 
• Soft tissue damage, including whiplash; 
• Sprains and strains; 
• Ligament damages; 
• Broken and fractured bones; 
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs); 
• Neck and back injuries; 
• Internal harm, including organ damage and bleeding; 
• Amputations; and
• Spinal cord damage.

Do not wait to see a doctor if you were hurt after being struck by a car.  Doing so would be one of the biggest mistakes that you can make. To start, many common pedestrian accident injuries—from back injuries to concussions to internal bleeding—are often not going to be immediately apparent. You may be more seriously hurt than you think. Further, you need to see a doctor if you are going to seek compensation for your accident. Without medical records, you will not have a claim.

How Pedestrian Accidents
Can Happen in Beaverton

Pedestrian collisions occur for a wide variety of different reasons. Each crash needs to be carefully investigated to determine the specific cause. That being said, most pedestrian accidents in Oregon share an important commonality: The crash could have been prevented with the proper safety precautions. What are some of the more common causes of pedestrian accidents in Beaverton? The following are cases and examples that our Beaverton personal injury lawyer has seen occur:

• Collisions with motor vehicles in crosswalks;
• Intersection collisions with motor vehicles;
• Any other motor vehicle accident
• Bicycle accidents
• Slips, trips, and falls on sidewalks;
• Parking lot accidents that occur when drivers are not paying attention or back up into pedestrians;
• Speeding motorists who crash into pedestrians walking in the road;
• Distracted driving or distracted walking; and
• Intoxication, including both motorist intoxication and pedestrian intoxication that can lead to collisions under various circumstances.

There are also many other causes of personal injury cases and circumstances in which pedestrian injuries occur. One of our pedestrian accident lawyers in Beaverton can evaluate your case to determine whether you have a claim. Remember, to bring a successful pedestrian accident injury claim in Oregon, you need to be able to prove fault. For help with that, call our Portland pedestrian accident attorneys for a free consultation.

Liability for Beaverton
Pedestrian Accidents

Liability for any pedestrian accident will depend on the cause of the accident. Accordingly, it is necessary to discuss your case with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Beaverton to determine the cause of the accident and who may be liable. In some circumstances, more than one party can be responsible for paying damages. Examples of parties who can be liable in a pedestrian accident in Beaverton include but are not limited to:

• Car or truck driver;
• Bicyclist;
• Property owner of the premises where the pedestrian accident happened;
• Mechanic who worked on a car or truck involved in the crash; or
• Designer or manufacturer of a defective vehicle part on the vehicle involved in the collision.

As Oregon is a fault-based pedestrian accident jurisdiction, it is especially important that every collision is thoroughly investigated. You cannot rely on an at-fault driver, negligent truck company, or any other party to step up and admit their liability. Protect your rights and your interests by working with a personal injury lawyer who can conduct an independent and comprehensive investigation of the crash.

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What Types of Damages
Can I Seek in a Beaverton Pedestrian Accident Case?

Following a pedestrian crash in Beaverton, it is crucial that you are able to secure the full settlement that you need to pay bills and provide for your family. Do not trust an insurance company to look out for your needs. They are trying to settle your case for less—possibly denying compensation. Our Beaverton pedestrian accident lawyer fights tirelessly to help injured victims maximize their settlement or trial verdict. In an accident case, an injured pedestrian can seek damages from their insurance company or the insurance company of the responsible party or from the responsible party directly. This compensation can be for many different types of losses, such as:

• Medical Expenses;
• Follow-up medical bills;
• Prescription drug costs;
• Lost wages;
• Pain and suffering; and
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

As you can see, a pedestrian can seek compensation for economic losses (i.e., direct financial losses), as well as for non-economic losses (i.e., subjective losses that are more difficult to quantify, such as a person’s physical pain or suffering). It is not always easy to obtain full compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, but with the help of an experienced Beaverton personal injury attorney can help make that process easier and more likely to end up in your favor. Call today for your free consultation! In order to maximize your financial compensation through an injury claim, it is imperative that your damages are well-documented. Our Portland pedestrian accident attorney can help you present a strong case.

Comparative Negligence
in Beaverton Pedestrian Injury Claims

How can comparative negligence affect your claim? The doctrine of comparative negligence in Oregon allows a defendant to reduce their responsibility for damages, or to avoid paying damages altogether, if the defendant can prove that the pedestrian was partially at fault for the accident. In other words, the motorist that strikes a pedestrian is not automatically liable for the entire accident—even if they are found to be partially at fault. You should expect defendants and insurers to try to find ways to push partial liability onto you.

You should know that Oregon uses a “modified” comparative fault or comparative negligence rule. Accordingly, a pedestrian who files a lawsuit can still obtain damages from the defendant as long as the pedestrian is not 51 percent or more at fault. The pedestrian’s damages award will, however, be reduced by their percentage of fault. A pedestrian can be barred from recovery if they are 51 percent or more at fault, but keep in mind that the defendant must prove this. Our firm can gather evidence to show that you are entitled to receive damages in your lawsuit. Along with that, our Beaverton car accident attorney has the needed capability and experience to help you gain the maximum compensation! Whether you have suffered head and brain injuries or have other catastrophic injuries due to a car accident, truck accident, or any other accident involving a pedestrian, we will help you fine your personal injury claim and help her you back up on your feet! Call today to schedule your initial consultation!

Timeline for Your
Beaverton Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit

Under Oregon law, most Beaverton pedestrian accident lawsuits will have a two-year statute of limitations. The statute of limitations sets a clock for filing a lawsuit, and the clock starts to tick on the date of the pedestrian accident. As soon as that clock starts ticking, an injured pedestrian will have only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for the accident.

If a pedestrian collision results in the death of a pedestrian, it is important to know that the statute of limitations is different for a wrongful death lawsuit. Even though personal injury law and wrongful death are closely related in Oregon, the wrongful death statute of limitations is three years. Another important distinction between personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits is that the clock starts to tick at different points in time. The clock on a personal injury case starts ticking on the date of the injury, whereas the clock on a wrongful death lawsuit starts ticking on the date of death.

Why Choose Beaverton
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Marc A. Johnston

Pedestrian accident injury cases are complicated. It is normal to have a lot of questions about what to do next. Our founder and lead attorney Marc A. Johnston is an experienced advocate for injured victims. It is our mission to get you justice and the full financial support that you need to pay your bills. We are always proactive. More specifically, our Beaverton pedestrian accident attorney

Answer your questions and review your case during a free pedestrian injury consultation; Conduct a thorough investigation of the pedestrian crash—gathering evidence; Build a strong legal case and represent you in settlement negotiations with insurers; and Take your Beaverton, OR pedestrian accident claim as far as needed to get the best results.

You should not feel like you have to take on the big insurance companies alone. No matter the nature of the situation that you are dealing with, we are here as a legal resource that you can trust. We encourage you to read our client testimonials and to contact our Beaverton pedestrian accident attorney directly with any specific questions or concerns.

Contact a Pedestrian
Accident Attorney in Beaverton

Were you injured in a pedestrian accident in order around Beaverton, or did you lose a loved one in a pedestrian collision? Accidents involving pedestrians frequently result in debilitating and deadly injuries, especially when a motor vehicle involved in the crash has been traveling at higher speeds. Motorists owe a duty of care to pedestrians on the road, and any failure to exercise reasonable care can result in a motorist being liable for a pedestrian’s injuries. 

Depending upon the circumstances of your case, one or more parties could be responsible for paying damages. Our experienced Beaverton pedestrian accident attorneys can speak with you today about your pedestrian injury claim and can provide you with more information about the options available to you for seeking compensation. Contact the Johnston Law Firm for more information or to get started on the claims process.