We Handle All Types of Oregon Personal Injury Cases
Motor Vehicle Accidents: Crashes are often caused by speeding, texting while driving, running red lights, failure to yield right of way, drunk driving, and many other forms of misconduct. We will help with such cases as:
- Car collisions, including those involving Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing services;
- Truck, 18-wheeler, semi, tractor-trailer, and other large commercial vehicle crashes; and,
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
Slip and Falls: Property owners have a duty to maintain a safe space for those who enter, and the failure to do so increases the potential for accidents. These parties may be held accountable when they fail to make repairs, post signage, or implement proper security measures to avoid criminal activity.
Medical Malpractice Claims: Physicians and other health care providers must deliver care in accordance with medical standards. You may have a claim related to diagnosis mistakes, medication errors, birth injuries, and surgical errors.
Other Personal Injury Claims: We also help victims with the legal process for:
- Dangerous defective products;
- Workplace and construction accidents;
- Fatal accidents and wrongful death claims;
- Nursing home abuse and neglect; and,
- Defective medical devices.
Common Questions About Accident Cases
After reviewing the above information, the answers to FAQs about personal injury claims are also useful.
What damages are available in an accident case?⌄
There are two types of compensation you may qualify to recover: Economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, and out-of-pocket costs; and;
Noneconomic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and other losses that impact your quality of life.
Is there a deadline for personal injury cases?⌄
Oregon’s statute of limitations is two years, and you are barred from recovering damages if you do not sue in court by the deadline. You have longer in a medical malpractice case when you did not discover your injuries right away through reasonable diligence.
How does the law work if I was partly to blame?⌄
The comparative negligence law applies if you were at fault in the accident, and it operates to reduce your compensation. The deduction is the percentage of fault linked to your own actions.
How to Recover Compensation
With most accident claims, the first step is filing an insurance claim under the responsible party’s liability policy. There are some forms to complete, but some of the most important details regarding your claim are contained in the forms of evidence described above. You must include all proof that will support your position and request for compensation. In some cases, you may be able to resolve your claim by settlement.
However, even when you think your rights are clear, the insurance company may deny your claim or offer a low amount to settle. Insurers are looking out for their own financial interests, not yours. When settlement discussions break down, you might still go through mediation as a way to resolve disputes. A trained mediator can often guide the parties in reaching an agreement when they engage in productive conversations. If the parties cannot agree during negotiations or mediation, the next step is going to court and pursuing a civil lawsuit.
Legal Help is Critical for Accident Claims
You can see that the process for recovering damages is quite complicated, so make it a priority to retain skilled counsel for legal help. The Johnston Law Firm will tackle all essential tasks, and you can count on an Estacada personal injury lawyer to:
- Collect evidence;
- Review your medical records;
- Complete insurance claims forms and forward them to the insurance company with evidence;
- Discuss settlement options with the insurer;
- Advocate on your behalf during the mediation process;
- Preparing the complaint to initiate a lawsuit; and,
- Represent you throughout litigation and court proceedings to the date of your trial.
Free Confidential Case Evaluation
Contact us today at
503-546-3167
to get a FREE, confidential case evaluation
We’re conveniently located in downtown Portland, and we offer flexible hours by appointment.