GRESHAM CAR
ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Oregon Auto Accident Lawyer
Representing Injury Victims in Gresham

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Traffic, bad weather, and negligent drivers all increase the risk of a car accident – in Gresham, you have all three. Located just over 20 minutes outside of the city of Portland, Gresham is a popular place for commuters to live, which can make getting to work in the morning challenging. But even those who don’t commute on a daily basis aren’t immune from the risk of a car accident; any time a person gets in a car, they are at risk – you never know when a negligent driver will perform an action that results in a crash with devastating consequences. At the office of Johnston Law Firm, our experienced car accident attorney is here for you if you’ve been in a crash. Reach out to our personal injury attorney team today to learn how we can serve you.

How Car Accidents Can
Change Your Life

In the blink of an eye, your whole world can be turned upside down. When a car crash occurs, you may experience tens of thousands of dollars of damages before you really even understand what’s happening. When a car accident is especially severe, it can change the course of your life long-term, affecting everything from relationships to education, recreation and hobbies to employment, and more.

If you have been in an auto accident, our lawyers will aggressively advocate for your right to compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. We know that a car accident can reach into all corners of your life, affecting your:

• Finances. A car crash can be a very expensive thing, especially when a crash is severe. Our lawyers will advocate for your right to compensation for the full value of damages to your vehicle, medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
• Physical and psychological wellbeing. Not only will you suffer financial harm after a crash, but you’ll also likely suffer physical and psychological harm, too. A car crash can result in painful and debilitating injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, soft tissue injuries, bone fractures, and more. Sometimes, injuries are not only disabling, but also disfiguring. Injuries and the trauma of a crash can also lead to psychological harm, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety.
• Relationships, recreation, and future opportunities. The combined toll on one’s finances, physical health, and psychological wellbeing often mean that relationships are damaged, recreation and extracurricular activities are limited, and future opportunities are stymied.

Gresham Car Accident—A Mother & Son’s Unfortunate Story

Basking in the warm glow of a sunny afternoon in Gresham, Oregon, a mother and her eight-year-old son were on their way to a local car dealership. Amid the hum of the car’s engine, her son’s voice carried a lively story, transforming the ordinary drive into a cherished moment. However, this moment of laughter and warmth was abruptly interrupted by a deafening crash.

An inattentive driver, who later confessed he had looked away for a moment, rammed into our client’s car from behind. The force of the impact caused her to collide with the vehicle in front, turning a routine stop at a red light into a terrifying three-car collision.

The impact was so catastrophic that it snapped the driver’s seat back, slamming our client into a forced recline. The steering wheel, once her navigation tool, turned into a source of injury as her stomach hit against it due to the sudden thrust. Her seatbelt, meant to protect her, left painful bruises across her lower abdomen.

As her son’s panicked screams filled the air, she summoned all her strength, fighting to keep calm despite her own terror. When the emergency team arrived, the Jaws of Life were used to pry her car door open. Under the wail of sirens and flashing lights, both she and her son were rushed to the hospital. The world was a blur as the ambulance sped down the road, her blood pressure surging dangerously high from the shock and pain.

Upon arriving at the hospital, her son, though terrified, was soon cleared after careful examination. Our client on the other hand, was just beginning her difficult journey through the labyrinth of hospital lights, scans, and doctors. She was whisked away into surgery to treat her life-threatening injuries.

The road to recovery was steep and daunting. The accident’s legal and financial implications began to loom, adding stress to an already overwhelming situation. That is when our client and her husband decided it was time to seek professional legal representation. Their search led them to the Johnston Law Firm, where they found Marc Johnston, an experienced trial attorney specializing in catastrophic motor vehicle collisions. The Johnston Law Firm’s reputation for compassionate representation and thorough case preparation provided them with the confidence they needed during this challenging period.

The Johnston Law firm conducted a thorough investigation, confirming the negligence and fault of the distracted driver. The defendant was held accountable, and our client was awarded compensation, offering some relief as she navigated her challenging road to recovery.

At the Johnston Law Firm, we don’t just fight cases; we fight for people.

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.

Who Pays for 
Damages After a Crash?

After a crash, our Gresham motor vehicle accident lawyer will make sure that you get the compensation amount that you deserve, relative to the total value of your economic and noneconomic losses. Our personal injury law firm will work hard to negotiate with an insurance adjuster to maximize your settlement amount.

In Oregon, the at fault party who causes a crash is responsible for paying for it. That means that if your accident was caused by another driver’s negligence–such as speeding, failing to yield, drinking while driving, driving while distracted, etc.–you can file personal injury claims for damages directly against that at-fault party’s insurance, or you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver. Typically, insurance claims are resolved via negotiations with insurance companies out of court.

Regardless of fault, you should also be able to turn to your own insurance company for some compensation via your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which is mandated in our state. If the other driver was at fault for the crash and doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance, you can bring forth a claim against your policy’s underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. If negotiations with an insurance firm are unsuccessful, you may file a lawsuit against the party responsible for your damages.

Note that while most car accidents are caused by drivers’ negligence, some car accidents are the result of dangerous road conditions, defective vehicles or vehicle parts, and more. You bring forth a claim against any party who’s responsible for your crash, not just another driver.

If you are not sure if your individual car accident cases fir any of these situations, you can give our personal injury lawyers a call and we will give you a free consultation and share exactly what we can do to help get you your fair compensation!

Personal Injury Protection Law
in Gresham Oregon

Oregon is a very unique state when it comes to auto insurance. Some states in the country follow no-fault auto insurance laws. In these states, drivers must file a claim with their own insurance company after an accident. This allows them to collect compensation right away after an accident, regardless of who was at fault or even if the insured caused the accident. However, in no-fault states, it is not usually possible to file a lawsuit against a negligent driver unless the victim suffered extremely serious injuries.

Other states follow a strictly tort model for auto insurance and car accidents. In these states, drivers must file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. They must also prove that the driver acted negligently and caused the accident that resulted in serious injury. Through a successful lawsuit, victims can recover more than they typically can in no-fault benefits.

Oregon follows a combination of tort and no-fault laws. The law requires drivers to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) when they purchase their auto insurance policy. This means there are benefits available shortly after the accident that can help the driver pay for their medical expenses. However, Oregon law also allows accident victims to file a lawsuit against negligent drivers to recover their remaining losses. Under these laws, accident victims get the best of both worlds because they can claim compensation right away and still pursue additional damages.