SALEM CAR
ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
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We Represent Injured
Car Crash Victims in Salem &
Throughout Oregon.
About Johnston Law Firm
Salem, Oregon has beauty in bounds. Called by some as “the most Oregon part of Oregon,” Salem is known for all of its gorgeous scenery. Fields of flowers, gardens, green pastures, and vineyards are sprinkled throughout the capital city, meaning there is something to marvel at wherever you look. Travel just outside the city and you can play in the ocean, or take in the Cascade Mountains, depending on the direction you travel. While in the Mid-Willamette Valley, residents and visitors alike love to take in the unique dining options, craft breweries, and wineries.
With so much to see and do in Salem, it is no surprise that the city is a busy one. As people make their way to all the sights the city has to offer, auto accidents are bound to happen. If you have been hurt in an auto accident, you need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer when filing your claim. Car accidents are usually caused by the negligence of another person or entity, and it is important to hold them accountable and recover compensation to help you and your family heal. Personal injury attorneys will help you file a claim that will allow you to recover the losses you sustained during the crash. Filing the insurance claims, whether with your own insurance company or someone else’s, is complex and one small mistake could jeopardize your chances of claiming compensation. Our Salem, Oregon attorney can ensure your car accident claim is filed properly so that you can get the help you need for your lost wages and medical bills for your catastrophic injuries.
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Common Causes of Car
Accidents in Salem, Oregon
Any time a motorist acts carelessly while on the road, they put themselves and others at risk of becoming involved in a serious crash. There are some acts of negligence that are more common than others, though. The most common causes of car accidents in Salem are:
- Improper lane changes
- Failure to follow traffic signs, signals, and laws
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
Regardless of what caused your crash, all car accidents should be taken very seriously. It is crucial that you speak with our car accident lawyers which can provide sound legal counsel and give your claim the attention it deserves.
Common
Car Accident Injuries
Just as there are many different causes of car accidents in Salem, Oregon, the injuries sustained during a crash also vary widely. The most common injuries following an accident include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries such as concussions and contusions
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Back injuries, including damage to the spinal cord that causes paralysis
- Damage to internal organs
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Burns
After being hurt in a motor vehicle accident, it is of vital importance that you seek medical treatment for any injuries. Getting the medical attention you need right away will ensure your injuries do not become any worse and that your pain and suffering is minimized.
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.
What to Do After
a Car Accident in Salem, Oregon
- Take photos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and your injuries. (These may be needed for the personal injury claims later)
- Locate witnesses and ask them for their contact information so if they are needed in a trial case, we can contact them.
- Exchange information, such as your name, address, insurance information, and driver’s license number with all motorists involved in the crash.
- Do not discuss your accident and when speaking to police, only give very basic information.
- Contact Salem car accident lawyers who can advise on your legal options for claiming compensation.
Just as there are some things you should do, there are also important things you should not do. You should never apologize for the accident, even if it is just to say you are sorry it happened at all. You should also never speak to an insurance company but instead, direct them to your attorney who can communicate with them on your behalf. If things are extremely severe, and death has occurred due to the accident, contact us and we can talk about how we can develop a wrongful death case against the at-fault party.
Accepting a Settlement
After a Car Accident
In the days and weeks following a serious accident, the insurance company representing the negligent driver will likely contact you. They will act very friendly and as though they want to help you obtain the full compensation you deserve for medical expenses and vehicle repairs. Unfortunately, insurance is a big business and these companies are more concerned about retaining their profits than they are about your safety and well-being.
A Salem car accident attorneys can advise on whether a settlement offer is fair and if it will fully cover the cost of your injuries. If it will not, a lawyer can also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to obtain a settlement that will help with the full cost of your losses, including your additional pain and suffering. If the insurer still refuses to offer a fair settlement, a lawyer can also file a lawsuit against the insurer to obtain the maximum financial compensation that you are entitled to.
Our Auto Accident
Attorneys Can Provide Sound Legal Advice
The time after a crash is confusing, but our attorneys can help you make sense of it all. At Johnston Law Firm, our seasoned attorneys have the necessary experience to successfully go up against the big insurance companies. We will put that expertise to work for you. Call us now at 503-496-7989 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
The scene of an accident is often chaotic, but it is important to remain as calm as possible and take certain steps to protect your health and your legal rights. If emergency medical personnel advise you to go for emergency care, you should listen to them and seek the necessary medical treatment. If you can remain on the scene, you should do the following:
- Wait for law enforcement and give them your side of the story;
- Collect the names and contact information of witnesses and anyone involved in the collision;
- Take photos of the scene and make notes of any unusual weather or road conditions;
- Seek a medical evaluation to ensure any injuries are timely diagnosed.
Any party that acted negligently and contributed to causing the accident may be held responsible for your medical expenses and other losses. Some examples of negligent parties in collisions include the following:
- Distracted drivers;
- Drunk drivers;
- Aggressive drivers;
- Drivers who violated traffic laws;
- Government entities that failed to maintain, inspect, or repair the roads;
- Auto manufacturers that sold defective brakes, tires, airbags, or other pertinent auto parts.
It is highly important to identify the correct negligent party so that you can seek compensation from them. The action you take to seek recovery can vary based on whether the liable party is a person, a company, or the local government.
When you make a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company, you will likely receive a settlement offer. Many people believe their only option is to accept the offer, however, accepting a settlement that does not fully cover all of your losses can result in financial disaster. Once you accept a settlement, you will have to sign a release that waives your right to file a subsequent lawsuit. Therefore, if the settlement is too low, you will have no other way of obtaining compensation and will be responsible for paying your own medical bills and incurring your other losses with no legal relief. Unfortunately, many insurance companies begin with a low offer, so you should always review settlement offers with an experienced attorney before accepting. A lawyer can then negotiate with the insurance company to try to obtain the maximum settlement.
In many collisions, more than one driver makes an error that contributes to the accident. Fortunately, Oregon law allows victims to recover even if they were partially at fault, though they will not be able to recover for the full amount of their losses. Instead, the court will determine what percentage of fault is attributable to you and will decrease your compensation by that percentage.
For example, imagine that one driver suddenly slams on their brakes for no reason in the middle of the highway. The car behind the braking vehicle would have had time to stop, except that the driver was sending a text message at the time and was not looking at the road. By the time they look up, it is too late to stop and a collision occurs. This is a common example of a situation in which a driver may be partially at fault but may still be able to recover for some of their losses.
Like the majority of legal cases, there is time limit–called the statute of limitations–set out in Oregon law. Specifically, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim for personal injury against the negligent party. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to recover.
Wrongful death is one that is caused by the negligent or reckless acts of another, or due to someone failing to take the appropriate precautions that could have prevented the death from occurring.
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Testimonials
Sally Martinez
– Michelle E.
Mr. Johnston and his firm were incredibly thorough in getting us a fair settlement from our insurance company with little to no pressure. We really appreciated having someone who truly cared about us every step of the way. I would highly recommend the Johnston Law Firm to anyone in need of personal injury representation.
Contact Johnston Law Firm to Speak with an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Act quickly and call Johnston Law Firm at 503-713-6839 or fill out our free confidential case evaluation form. We’re highly rated, and offer a free initial consultation, and flexible hours by appointment. We look forward to helping you with your car accident claim.
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If you have been seriously injured at no fault of your own, please contact us using the form.
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