Lake Oswego CAR
ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Car Accident Attorney
Serving Injured Victims
in Lake Oswego, OR

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Motor vehicle accidents are unpredictable and frightening, but if you are injured in one, the process should not be. We at the Johnston Law Firm will help guide you through filing your personal injury claim to get back what you lost. Reach out to the Lake Oswego car accident attorney that will treat you like family, call the Johnston Law Firm today.

Lake Oswego, Oregon
Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

Portland and Oregon residents make their way to Lake Oswego for its many attractions but sometimes the unthinkable happens. Unfortunately, car accidents can occur when you least expect it. Anything from high-speed highway crashes to rear-end collisions, motor vehicle accidents can be devastating to anyone. If you are injured in a car accident in Lake Oswego, an experienced and caring Lake Oswego car accident attorney will be there to help you. Our team at the Johnston Law Firm are dedicated to aiding you in your personal injury claim.

Common Injuries from Car Accidents

• Neck and back stiffness
• Whiplash
• Herniated disc
• Knee trauma
• Head trauma
• Lacerations

Common Causes 
of Car Accidents

A car accident can happen from various reasons in Lake Oswego, Oregon. From distracted driving to accidents involving drunk driving to accidents in intersections, these can be dangerous and devastating. Business Insider lists the most common causes as:

• Distracted driving
• Reckless driving
• Driving too fast for the current conditions
• Impaired driving (drunk, drugs)
• Ignoring stop lights

Determining Liability in Lake Oswego Car Accidents

As we know, car accidents can be due to various factors, but when considering filing a claim, determining liability in the accident is vital. The liability factor will play a huge role in how your case unfolds in the future. Sometimes it is simple to determine the negligent party, such as a rear-ending accident, where it is obvious who was at fault. In other circumstances, it can be difficult determining negligence.

In order to determine the fault of a Lake Oswego car accident, the police, insurance adjusters, and any other interested parties evaluate the following:

• Any comments made by either party after the accident
• Any citations or violations leading up to the accident
• Evidence such as: witness reports, surveillance, physical evidence, police reports
• Whether the accident was a rear-ending or from a left turn

Lake Oswego 
Car Accident Damages

When a car accident results in personal injuries for those involved, the first step is to file a claim with your insurance company for an accident. If your insurance has Personal Injury Protection (PIP), sometimes this can help you recover from your car accident. If your insurance and PIP cannot make you whole again, it may be time to call a Lake Oswego car accident attorney to help you file a personal injury civil lawsuit. 

So, what kind of damages can you be eligible to receive in a Lake Oswego car accident claim?

Generally, car accident plaintiffs can be eligible to receive two types of compensatory damages, both of which are designed to compensate the victim for their losses:

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”.

Noneconomic Damages: compensate an injured plaintiff 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.

Oregon Statute of 
Limitations in Car Accidents

In Lake Oswego, Oregon, a car accident may trigger various time-sensitive items in your life. One important factor to consider if you are involved in a car accident in Lake Oswego is in fact, timing. Under Oregon law, you have two years from the date of the injuries (which will also be the date of the accident) to file a personal injury civil lawsuit. 

Now, if you think two years seems like a long time and that you have time to figure everything out, be wary that if you wait too long, possible evidence for your case could be diminished or disappear. If you do not file your claim within this time frame, Oregon will deem your case to be “time-barred”, which will not allow you to recover any damages from your case. The sooner you can contact a Lake Oswego motor vehicle accident attorney, the sooner we can take the steps necessary to secure the compensation you need.

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.

Finding a Lake Oswego 
Car Accident Attorney

Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident in Lake Oswego resulting in serious injury or death? You may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. An experienced Lake Oswego car accident attorney near you can help you file an auto insurance claim or seek compensation through a civil lawsuit. It is vital to find an attorney who can fight for you and obtain justice after a car accident in Lake Oswego. Reach out to our firm to learn about what to do next in this frightening and unpredictable time, we are here to help. Contact the Johnston Law Firm to get started on your claim so we can help you find your way back to normal life.

Common Injuries from Car Accidents

• Neck and back stiffness
• Whiplash
• Herniated disc
• Knee trauma
• Head trauma
• Lacerations

Lake Oswego
Car Accident FAQs