Clackamas Car Accident Attorney

Clackamas Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a car accident is frightening and stressful—for everyone involved. Those feelings are compounded when you or a loved one are physically hurt or injured in the car accident. The pain and stress can be overwhelming, and dealing with multiple insurance companies while you are trying to heal and recover is frustrating and takes your attention away from caring for yourself or your family.

The smart, caring and quick-to-help car accident team at the Johnston Law Firm will be there to help begin your personal injury claim, and we will be with you every step of the way. We will handle the insurance company and pursue justice on your behalf. We will seek compensation and help get back what you deserve, secure payment for your lost wages and medical bills, and assist with ensuring that you receive the correct medical care for your injuries. Give a call to the Johnston Law Firm.. Your case matters, and we treat our clients like family.

Oregon Auto Accident Lawyer Representing Injury Victims in Clackamas, OR

Clackamas, Oregon is a popular spot in Clackamas County Oregon, and only a few short minutes from Portland. Our car accident team handles collisions throughout the Portland metropolitan area, including Clackamas. Several freeways connect Portland to Clackamas, including I-5, I-205, and Highway 84, all of which are known for their share of car accidents, truck accidents, including 18-wheeler accidents.

As exciting and entertaining as Clackamas is for tourists and Oregon residents, car accidents unfortunately happen here. From distracted drivers to reckless vehicle collisions, serious car and truck accidents can occur when you least expect. A Clackamas car accident attorney can be helpful in filing your case, and crucial in ensuring that you receive fair compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Our firm will always be committed to helping motor vehicle accident victims and their families with their cases and claims.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Clackamas

A motor vehicle accident can happen in Clackamas, Oregon for various reasons. The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles lists the following as the most common human error causes of car wrecks in Oregon:

Under Chapter 31 of Oregon Revised Statutes, tort actions are those which seek financial compensation for injuries suffered as the result of someone’s reckless or negligent actions. As a tort action, elements of a personal injury lawsuit include the following:

Failure to stop for a vehicle in front of driver
Distracted Driving
Failure to maintain lane
Following too closely
Driving too fast for current conditions
Failure to decrease speed for slower moving vehicle
Drunk or Drugged Driving
Reckless driving which includes changing lanes without signaling, excessive speeding and following too closely

Compensation in Clackamas Car Accident Cases

If you are injured in a car accident in Clackamas, or if your loved one has been injured or passes away as a result of their injuries, one of the first steps is to report it to your insurance company. At the same time, it’s important to contact a qualified Clackamas car accident lawyer immediately following a collision to protect your rights and advise you from the beginning.

Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company—always speak with your car accident lawyer first. Between Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, the insurance of the at fault driver, and your own underinsured motorist coverage, the Johnston Law Firm will fight to ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to by law.

We know you and your family are depending on that compensation to protect you while you are focusing on physically recovering from your injuries. The insurance company has a protocol and a team of adjusters designed to underpay your claim. You need a team on your side who puts its clients’ interests first, and has more than a decade of experience making insurance companies meet their obligations.

What Types of Damages are Eligible For Compensation in a Clackamas Car Accident Case?

Car accident victims in Clackamas are eligible to receive two types of compensatory damages, which are designed to compensate car accident victims for their losses, deter future dangerous conduct by the negligent driver and in certain circumstances punish reckless conduct.

Economic Damages: compensate an injured plaintiff for direct financial losses, such as medication costs, hospitalization stays, surgery bills and lost wages. Economic damages are defined by Oregon law as “objectively verifiable monetary losses including but not limited to reasonable charges necessarily incurred for medical, hospital, nursing and rehabilitative services and other health care services, burial and memorial expenses, loss of income and past and future impairment of earning capacity.” Economic damages include future lost wages due to inability to work, prosthetic devices when limbs are lost, and all future medical care and equipment necessary to ensure the seriously injured person can live with dignity.
Noneconomic Damages: compensate an injured plaintiff for non-monetary losses such as pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional trauma and distress. This is the category of loss that makes life valuable and worth living, including freedom from pain, love and affection and the pursuit of happiness. Oregon law defines non-economic damages as “subjective, non-monetary losses, including but not limited to pain, mental suffering, emotional distress, humiliation”. These damages are more difficult to quantify, as emotional pain can be traumatic and long-lasting, as well as difficult to recover from. A skilled and experienced legal team is necessary to understand, quantify and properly prove this part of your case.

File Your Car Accident Claim in Clackamas On Time

Timing is important in this claims process. Under Oregon’s personal injury statute of limitations, most car accident claims need to be filed within two years of the injury. For most wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is three years, unless the negligent driver was a public employee. If claims are not filed within the proper time frame, your claim will be time barred, and your rights to seek compensation will be lost.

Oregon law is full of different requirements that a plaintiff must follow, even prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Missing any of these deadlines can result in losing your legal rights. Contacting an attorney shortly after your Clackamas car accident is the best way to ensure that all legal requirements are met. Please call us for a free consultation, or if you have any questions regarding your claim or your rights.

Contact an Experienced Clackamas Car Accident Attorney Today

Were you seriously injured in a car accident in Clackamas, Oregon? You may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Whether you are filing an auto insurance claim or seeking compensation through a civil lawsuit, it is vital to work with an experienced and caring Clackamas car accident lawyer who can properly represent and advocate for your rights. Do not hesitate to reach out to our firm to learn more about this process and to ask questions about navigating the process. We have represented many clients in Clackamas County, and we look forward to hearing from you. Call (503) 546-3167 to schedule a free initial case review.

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

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Clackamas Car Accident FAQ’s

How can a car accident attorney help me?

An attorney can help guide you through this process to ensure you receive the financial justice you are entitled to. The insurance company has other ideas, and a skillful and experienced attorney can make all the difference in your case and your life. You can schedule a free consultation with Attorney Marc Johnston to discuss the details of your case. Even if we cannot represent you, we will point you in the right direction and provide valuable information and insight.

What is PIP in insurance?

PIP stands for Personal Injury Protection, and provides at least $15,000 of no-fault medical insurance when you are injured in a collision. PIP also provides lost wages when your injuries keep you from working. If you have an Oregon auto-insurance policy, or if the driver of the car you were in has insurance—or if you were injured as a pedestrian, then PIP will be available in your case. Contact an injury lawyer to help you navigate PIP and get the lost wages and medical coverage you need to recover.

Should I give a recorded statement to an insurance company?

No, you should not give a recorded statement to an insurance company without first consulting with an attorney. After a serious car accident, you should expect to receive phone calls from an insurance adjuster, your insurance company, the at-fault driver’s insurance, or all of the above. You are not required to answer these calls, or give a recorded statement which only helps the insurance company. Say only that “my attorney will be in touch, goodbye.” Remember, insurance companies are trying to resolve the matter as quickly as possible for as cheaply as possible to protect their own financial interests. It is best to let your Clackamas car accident attorney handle all communication with the insurance company.

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