Hood River CAR
ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

We Handle Car Accident Claims
in Hood River and Throughout Oregon

Driving on Hood River’s roads often becomes second nature, whether you’re traveling along Interstate 84, navigating the Historic Columbia River Highway, commuting on Cascade Avenue, or using OR-35 to reach nearby communities. Getting into a car accident not only disrupts that routine, but it can also affect nearly every aspect of your daily life. Add a serious injury to the equation, and the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can last for months or even years.

If you have been injured in an auto accident in Hood River, Marc A. Johnston can help. From our Portland office, our car accident lawyers serve clients in Hood River and throughout Oregon. Reach out to us 24/7 at 503-546-3167 or contact us online for a free consultation.

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How Marc Johnston Can Help
With Your Hood River Car Accident Claim

A serious car accident can leave you dealing with painful injuries, expensive medical treatment, lost income, and an insurance company focused on protecting its bottom line. Having an experienced Hood River car accident attorney on your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.

Attorney Marc A. Johnston has helped injury victims throughout Oregon pursue the compensation they deserve. From investigating your accident to negotiating with insurers and, when necessary, litigating your case, he provides dedicated legal representation at every stage of the claims process.

• Conducting a thorough accident investigation by collecting police reports, witness statements, photographs, and other evidence needed to establish liability and strengthen your claim.
• Handling all insurance company communications so you can focus on your recovery while we negotiate aggressively for the compensation your injuries and losses deserve.
• Determining the full value of your damages by evaluating medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.
• Working with trusted experts including medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists when additional evidence is needed to support your case.
• Identifying all available sources of compensation by investigating every potentially liable party and reviewing applicable insurance policies and coverage.
• Preparing your case for trial when necessary to protect your interests if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.

What To Do After
a Car Accident in Hood River, OR

Being involved in a car accident can be overwhelming, making it difficult to know what to do next. The steps you take immediately after a crash can affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation. If you are involved in a Hood River car accident, consider taking the following actions:

• Check for injuries and call 911. Make sure you and everyone involved are safe. Request emergency medical assistance if anyone has been injured and report the accident to law enforcement.
• Move to a safe location if possible. If your vehicle can be moved safely, relocate it out of traffic to reduce the risk of another collision.
• Exchange information with the other driver. Obtain names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, insurance details, and vehicle information from everyone involved.
• Avoid discussing fault. Refrain from apologizing or speculating about how the accident happened, as your statements could later be used against you.
• Document the accident scene. Take photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, visible injuries, and gather contact information from any witnesses.
• Notify your insurance company promptly. File your claim as soon as possible and review your policy to determine whether you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or other available coverage.
• Speak with an experienced car accident lawyer. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts to protect their bottom line. At Johnston Law Firm, we fight to hold insurers accountable, protect your legal rights, and pursue the full compensation you deserve while treating every client with the care and attention they deserve.

Common Types of Car Accidents 
We Handle in Hood River

There are various types of car accidents, but there are a few that tend to be the most common in Oregon. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on crashes
• Hit and runs
• Side impacts
• Vehicle rollovers
• Single car accidents

Common Types of Injuries from Car Accidents

Injuries caused by car accidents can be varied in both location of the injury and pain level. Some accidents seem severe in vehicle damage, but the driver might be unharmed, while simple rear bumper taps can result in neck and back pain for long periods of time. The most common types of injuries include but are not limited to the following:

• Whiplash
• Lacerations
• Head trauma
• Knee trauma
• Herniated discs
• General back and neck soreness

If you have any of these injuries after an accident, contact the Johnston Law Firm today to discuss your eligibility for compensation.

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.

Establishing Liability 
in Hood River Car Accidents

When an accident occurs, it can be difficult to think rationally about not only what happened, but also how it happened and what to do next. In any accident, knowing and establishing who was at fault for the accident is critical for the compensation you will get for your vehicle and your injuries. If you are injured in a car accident and decide to begin your personal injury claim, establishing who was at fault in the accident will become even more critical in the success of your case. The Johnston Law Firm’s dedicated team will care about you and only you, unlike the insurance companies. These companies fight for their financial savings and not the well-being of you.

Your insurance company will conduct their own investigation of who was at fault in the accident, but if you choose to hire an experienced Hood River car accident lawyer, we will conduct an investigation into all the facts to better understand how to fight for you and get you back what you lost. We will protect you and your families’ interests in everything we do.

Common Causes of
Car Accidents Hood River

Car accidents can happen from various errors and actions in Hood River, but below are some of the most common causes:

• Following too closely behind
• Illegal lane changes
• Driving too fast for the current conditions
• Avoiding the vehicle in front

Compensation Available
in Hood River Car Accidents

If you or a loved one are injured or pass away as a result of injuries in a car accident in Hood River, filing an auto insurance claim will most likely be your first step. In some cases, an auto insurance claim along with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) can cover what you lost. In other cases, the insurance and PIP coverage will not be able to fully compensate you. At the same time, call the Johnston Law Firm for advice on what to do next. Marc Johnston is an honest, professional and thorough car accident lawyer who works with his experienced team to represent you.

There are two types of compensatory damages, both of which are designed to compensate the victim for their losses:

Economic Damages: compensate an injured victim 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”.

Noneconomic Damages: compensate an injured victim for more subjective losses such as emotional trauma or distress. Oregon law defines these 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.

Frequently Asked Questions
About Hood River Car Accident Claims