EUGENE PERSONAL
INJURY LAWYER

We Handle Injury
Cases In Eugene & Springfield: Call Us Now for Your Free Consultation

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Eugene, Oregon has many nicknames. Officially, its nickname is A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors. Its accessible forests and lush landscapes have earned it the nickname The Emerald City and because the Nike Corporation was founded in Eugene, it is also known as Track Town, USA. The city continues to grow each year, with an estimated permanent population of approximately 160,000 in 2014. In addition to these permanent residents, approximately 45,000 students live in the city to attend its colleges and universities, which include The University of Oregon, Northwest Christian University, New Hope Christian College, Lane Community College, Gutenberg College, and a campus of Pacific University.

At the Johnston Law Firm, P.C, our Eugene personal injury lawyer has the professional skills and legal experience that you can rely on. We are focused on fighting for serious results for clients who have suffered serious injuries. With a devotion to personalized guidance and support, our firm invests time and resources into each and every claim. If you or your loved one was hurt in a serious accident, we are more than ready to help. Contact us today to arrange your no cost, no obligation case review with a top Eugene personal injury attorney. 

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.

Hurt in an Accident in Eugene? Be Proactive

Seek medical care for your injury as soon as possible. Only after you have received medical care should you discuss your case with a personal injury attorney. But be proactive about this second step. In Oregon, personal injury victims have two years from the date of their accident to seek compensation through personal injury claims. This is known as the statute of limitations. Once the statute of limitations expires, a victim is no longer entitled to file a personal injury claim. Insurance companies waste no time in building their defense. Do not fall behind in the claims process: Consult with a top-tier Eugene, OR personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a serious accident.

We Handle All Types of Personal Injury Cases in Eugene, Oregon

Johnston Law Firm, P.C. is a personal injury law firm with a commitment to advocating for the people who need help the most. We are on the side of victims and their families—not the big insurance companies. No matter how your accident happened nor the severity of your injuries, our law firm is ready to take action to help you get justice and the most possible financial compensation. Some notable examples of accident and injury claims that we handle in Eugene include: 

• Car Accidents: Motor vehicle collisions are a top cause of accidental injuries in Eugene, Lane County, and elsewhere in Oregon. Indeed, the average motorist nationwide is involved in four crashes during the course of his or her lifetime. While they are far from rare, that does not make the car accident injury claims process any less challenging for people. Our law firm handles all aspects of car accident claims—we fight to help our clients secure the maximum compensation, including for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Do not trust the insurance company to do right by you and your family. Contact our Eugene auto accident attorney for a free, no obligation consultation. 
• Pedestrian Collisions: With such a large population of permanent and temporary residents, car and pedestrian accidents occur regularly on Eugene’s roadways. When an individual is a victim of a crosswalk accident or suffers from any other type of accident that results in a pedestrian injury, he or she is entitled to seek monetary compensation for his or her expenses through a personal injury claim. For the best chance of successfully receiving a settlement for their injuries, victims are advised to work with personal injury attorneys.
• Crosswalk Accidents: In Oregon, drivers must come to a complete stop when approaching pedestrians crossing through their lanes or the lane beside them. When a driver is distracted, tired, drunk, or simply disregards posted traffic signs, he or she can collide with a pedestrian and cause injuries for his or her passengers, him- or herself, and the pedestrian. As a driver, always pay attention to the road and do not drive distracted, drunk, or tired. As a pedestrian, always look both ways before crossing the road and do not use your cell phone while crossing. Hurt in a crosswalk accident? Contact us today. 
• Semi-Truck Crashes: Semi-truck crashes in Eugene are disproportionately likely to result in severe injuries. The reason is because of the massive size and weight of these vehicles. Not only are truck accidents especially destructive, the legal claims process can be very hard to navigate. The big trucking companies and their commercial insurance carriers are aggressive. We have what it takes to hold them accountable. Hurt in a large tractor trailer crash in Lane County? Contact our Eugene, OR semi-truck accident lawyer today. Initial consultations are free and our goal is to help you secure full and fair compensation. 
• Motorcycle Wrecks: Motorcyclists are vulnerable. NHTSA estimates that 80 percent of motorcycle crashes result in physical injuries to the rider. Shockingly, motorcyclists are nearly 25 times more likely to be severely injured or killed in a crash than other motorists. We have the specialized experience needed to take on these difficult claims. Were you or your loved one hurt in a motorcycle crash? Contact our Eugene attorney today.  
• Medical Malpractice: Oregon law is clear: Doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers have a duty to provide adequate quality care to patients. Among other things, they are required to use their nuanced understanding and their professional expertise to ensure that patients receive the appropriate support. When they fail to do so, serious harm can occur. Our law firm handles all types of medical malpractice claims in Eugene, including doctor misdiagnosis, medication errors, and surgical errors. Contact our Eugene, OR medical malpractice attorney for a free, strictly confidential consultation. 
• Product Liability: Corporations have a central responsibility to ensure that the products that they sell in Oregon are reasonably safe and come with the proper warning labels. In Oregon, a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer can be held strictly liable for harm caused by a dangerous and defective product. We hold big companies accountable for the safety of their products. Profits should never be allowed to come before people. Hurt due to a dangerous product. Contact our Eugene, OR product liability attorney today. 
• Workplace Injuries: Each year, tens of thousands of people are hurt on the job in Oregon. A serious work-related injury can affect your entire life. Whether you are filing a workers’ comp claim or a third party liability lawsuit, our Eugene, OR workplace injury lawyer is standing by, ready to help you secure the maximum financial compensation. 
• Other Personal Injury Claims: Our law firm handles all types of other personal injury cases in Eugene—from dog bites to slip and fall accidents to negligent security claims. Regardless of how your accident happened or the severity of your injuries, our Eugene personal injury lawyers are ready to review your case and help you determine the best path to justice. 
• Wrongful Death Claims: Nothing is more difficult than losing a loved one in an accident that never should have happened. Whether it is a car accident, truck accident, medical malpractice, or any other type of case, surviving families need justice. In Oregon, the at-fault party may be legally liable through a wrongful death claim. While nothing can ever truly make things right, our law firm knows how important it is for your family to get results. 

Understanding Personal Injury Liability in Oregon

Personal injury claims are notoriously complicated. In Oregon, fault is attributed to the party responsible for causing an accident—most often due to their recklessness or carelessness. Indeed, most claims in Oregon are based on the legal concept of negligence. Broadly defined, negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care. Oregon applies comparative negligence. Injured victims can recover damages even if partially at fault. However, their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault and barred altogether if they are found to be more than 50 percent responsible. 

We Help Injured Victims in Eugene Secure the Maximum Financial Compensation

Through a personal injury claim in Oregon, victims have the right to seek financial relief for economic losses and non-economic damages. At the Johnston Law Firm, P.C, our Eugene personal injury lawyers fight aggressively to help injured victims secure the maximum settlement or verdict. You may be entitled to recover damages for: 

• Property damages, including vehicle repairs; 
• Ambulance costs and emergency room care; 
• Hospital bills, medical expenses, and other health costs; 
• Loss of income and loss of future earning power; 
• Pain and suffering & mental anguish; 
• Long-term disability and physical impairment; and
• Wrongful death of a spouse, child, or parent. 

Five Tips for Handling Insurance Companies After an Accident

Most personal injury cases in Oregon are defended by insurance companies. Following a serious accident in Eugene, you may have a claim against another party’s insurer, your own insurance provider, or some combination. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not on your side. They put their own bottom line first—not what is best for you and your family. Knowing how to take on insurance adjusters can make all of the difference after a serious injury. Here are five actionable tips that you can use when dealing with insurers in Eugene: 

1. Never Admit to or Accept Fault for an Accident: It is natural to feel overwhelmed immediately after an accident. That being said, it is crucial not to admit fault or accept blame at the accident scene or during conversations with insurance representatives. Anything you say can be used against you during the claims process—and that could potentially reduce the compensation you may receive. Remember, Oregon is a modified comparative negligence state. It is not your job to assess fault. Simply exchange contact/insurance information. Your Eugene personal injury attorney will handle any legal disputes over fault for the accident. 
2. Avoid Providing a Recorded Statement Without a Lawyer: Insurance adjusters often ask for a recorded statement to get your version of events. Insurance representatives are trained to come across as friendly and disarming on the phone. While a recorded statement might seem like a straightforward request, you need to be very careful. Insurance adjusters are trying to get you to say things that they can use against you in the claims process. it is advisable to have legal representation present when giving such a statement. A Eugene personal injury lawyer will help ensure that you do not inadvertently say anything that could jeopardize your claim. 
3. Beware of the First Settlement Offer: Insurance adjusters might quickly present you with a settlement offer. However, it is wise not to accept the first offer immediately. Initial offers are often lower than what you deserve as they aim to close claims quickly and economically. Take time to review and consider the offer,—preferably with the guidance of an attorney, to ensure it covers all your expenses and losses, including medical bills and property damage. Do not agree to settle your personal injury case until you know the full value of your claim. 
4. Do Not Sign a Full Release for Your Medical Records: Insurance companies may request access to your medical records to assess your claim. While providing relevant records is necessary, it is generally considered to be a best practice to avoid signing a blanket release for all your medical information. Limit access to records directly related to the accident to prevent insurers from using unrelated medical history against your claim. 
5. Work With the Insurer Through a Eugene Attorney: Insurance companies put a ton of resources into training their staff. They have professionals whose job it is to ensure that the company pays out as little as possible. You do not have to take on the claims process alone: A local Eugene personal injury attorney will protect your rights and represent your interests every step of the way. 

You Can Count On Eugene, OR Personal Injury Attorney Marc A. Johnston

Hurt in a serious accident in Eugene or elsewhere in Lane County? It is normal to be confused, stressed, and left with tons of questions about what comes next. You do not have to take on a big corporation or an insurance company alone. With extensive experience fighting for the rights of injured victims, our founder Marc A. Johnston has what it takes to justice for victims and families. Among other things, our Eugene personal injury attorney is prepared to: 

• Listen to your story and answer questions about your rights and options; 
• Investigate your accident—getting the evidence to prove fault and damages; 
• Handle the personal injury paperwork and represent in settlement negotiations; and
• Develop a personalized strategy with a laser focus on securing you the best results.  

Our Firm Handles Personal Injury Cases in Eugene On Contingency 

After a serious accident in Eugene, the last thing you need to worry about is another bill. With the Johnston Law Firm, P.C., you can always afford to hire a top-rated attorney. Our Eugene personal injury lawyer represents victims and families on a contingency fee basis. Instead of any upfront costs, hourly bills, or other out-of-pocket expenses, you pay nothing unless we help recover financial compensation. Our personal injury law firm is only your side each and every step of the way. If you do not get paid, then we do not get paid. 

Personal Injury Claims in Eugene: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I Get a Eugene Personal Injury Attorney?

Yes. If you were hurt in an accident in Eugene, OR, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. An experienced attorney will help navigate legal processes, ensuring that your rights are protected, and you receive the compensation you deserve. You can set up a free, no obligation, and fully confidential consultation with a top Eugene personal injury lawyer at Johnston Law Firm.

What is the Value of a Personal Injury Case?

The value of a personal injury case in Eugene, OR varies. It depends primarily on the extent of the liability of the involved parties and the damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages of the victim. As every case is different, it is crucial that you know the precise value of your claim. 

Will My Personal Injury Claim in Eugene Go to Trial?

Probably not. While personal injury litigation is possible, it is relatively uncommon. Most personal injury claims in Eugene, OR are settled out of court. Still, going to trial is possible if a fair settlement cannot be reached. An attorney can help you determine the best course of action. 

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Oregon?

Sadly, not everyone who was close to the victim has legal rights under the Oregon wrongful death statute. In Oregon, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate—which is usually a close family member—is the party who files the wrongful death lawsuit. They act on behalf of the beneficiaries, such as the surviving spouse, children, parents, or other heirs.