Sandy Car Accident Attorney

Auto Accident Lawyer Representing Injury Victims in Sandy, OR

Being in a car accident is never easy to deal with, but that does not mean that there aren’t people who can help. We at the Johnston Law Firm are here to help you navigate this stressful and unknown process. Our car accident lawyers will listen to your situation and give you a free consultation over the phone to assess your next steps. We care about people like you and do all we can to help you and your loved ones.

We are a Portland-based law firm, but nonetheless, we serve clients in Sandy, Clackamas County, and anywhere in Oregon. Contact us today or call us at (503) 546-3167 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

How We Can Help With Your Sandy Car Accident Claim

Recovering from a car accident can be difficult, especially when you’re dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical expenses, and insurance companies that may dispute your claim. At Johnston Law Firm, Marc A. Johnston and our legal team can take on these legal challenges while you focus on your recovery. We provide personalized representation and guide you through every stage of the claims process.

When you trust us with your Sandy car accident case, we can help by:

Investigating how your accident happened: We review police reports, photographs, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and other evidence to establish the circumstances of your collision.
Identifying potentially responsible parties: We examine the available evidence to determine whether negligent drivers, employers, or other parties may be held liable for your injuries.
Gathering evidence to support your claim: We secure relevant documentation, preserve important records, and work to establish the connection between another party’s negligence and your losses.
Handling insurance communications and negotiations: We deal directly with insurance adjusters, respond to disputed liability allegations, and challenge settlement offers that undervalue your claim.
Evaluating your injuries and financial losses: We document medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment needs, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the accident.
Pursuing fair compensation for your injuries: We develop a strategy based on your circumstances and negotiate for a settlement that reflects the full extent of your losses.
Preparing your case for litigation when necessary: If negotiations fail to produce a reasonable settlement, we can file a lawsuit and represent your interests in court.
Keeping you informed throughout your case: We explain your legal options, provide updates on important developments, and remain available to answer your questions.

We understand that every car accident presents different challenges, and we take the time to learn how your injuries have affected your life. Although our firm is based in Portland, we represent injured individuals in Sandy, throughout Clackamas County, and across Oregon. Our goal is to protect your rights, simplify the legal process, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

What Do I Do After a Car Accident in Sandy?

Your first step is to find safety for you and your passengers by either pulling off to a safe spot on the road or leaving your vehicle. Calling the police will help in safely dealing with the vehicle as well as get you medical attention if necessary. Your next steps should be to:

Exchange insurance information with the other driver (s)
Obtain photos of all vehicle damage, missing parts, license plate
Obtain photos of the other driver (s) license, insurance card

Get checked out at urgent care if possible. This can help in not only checking for injuries, but also in your future dealings with insurance.
Get home safely
Call and report the accident to your insurance company. Do not give a recorded statement yet.
Fill out an accident report with the DMV within 3 days of the accident
Call a dedicated and experienced car accident lawyer at 503-546-3167

You will receive a phone call from the at-fault driver’s insurance company in the following hours or days after the accident. Feel free to answer, but make sure not to give a recorded statement before consulting with an attorney. You will most likely receive many more phone calls in the coming weeks, but once you have reported the accident to both insurance companies, an attorney should be the one you speak with.

Common Injuries from Car Accidents

As varied as the causes of car accidents can be, injuries sustained by those involved can be a whole other story. In some cases, major accidents result in minor or no injury, while in other cases, minor accidents cause life-altering injuries. Many times, victims will not even feel injured until the adrenaline is gone, hours later. Therefore, it is vital that you seek medical attention even if you do not feel there is anything wrong. Some common injuries include but are not limited to:

Bulging discs in back
Herniated discs in back
Head trauma
Lower body trauma
Laceration
Neck stiffness
Lower back stiffness
Whiplash

Compensation We Can Help You Recover After a Sandy Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Sandy, you may be facing medical bills, lost income, and other financial challenges. Oregon requires auto insurance policies to include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which can help pay certain medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. However, PIP benefits may not cover all your losses, particularly if you’ve suffered serious or long-term injuries.

At Johnston Law Firm, we can evaluate your damages and help you pursue additional compensation from the responsible parties. Under Oregon law, injured accident victims may be entitled to two primary categories of compensatory damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate you for objectively verifiable financial losses resulting from your accident. Depending on your circumstances, these may include:

Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medications, diagnostic tests, and other necessary treatment.
Future medical costs: Anticipated expenses for rehabilitation, ongoing therapy, specialist appointments, and long-term care.
Lost wages: Income you missed because your injuries prevented you from working.
Reduced earning capacity: Future income losses if your injuries permanently affect your ability to work.
Property damage: Costs associated with repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle and personal belongings.
Out-of-pocket expenses: Transportation to medical appointments, necessary household assistance, and other accident-related costs.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the physical, emotional, and personal consequences of your injuries that cannot be measured through bills or receipts. These may include:

Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort, chronic pain, and other lasting effects of your injuries.
Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, fear, and psychological trauma associated with the accident.
Loss of enjoyment of life: Reduced ability to participate in hobbies, recreational activities, and everyday experiences.
Permanent disability: Lasting physical limitations that affect your independence and quality of life.
Disfigurement: Scarring, visible injuries, or permanent changes to your physical appearance.
Loss of companionship: Harm to qualifying personal relationships resulting from serious injuries.

Punitive Damages in Oregon Car Accident Cases

In certain cases, Oregon law also permits punitive damages, which are intended to punish particularly wrongful conduct and discourage similar behavior rather than compensate victims for their losses. Under ORS 31.730, punitive damages generally require clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with malice or showed a reckless and outrageous indifference to a highly unreasonable risk of harm while consciously disregarding the health, safety, and welfare of others. These damages are not available in most ordinary negligence cases. At Johnston Law Firm, we can review the circumstances of your Sandy car accident and determine whether pursuing punitive damages may be appropriate.

Filing Your Car Accident Claim in Oregon on Time

When an accident occurs, there will many things that go through the minds of everyone involved. Once the dust settles and you are home safely, there are some deadlines that are vital to the security of you, your vehicle, and your potential case. One deadline is to file an accident report to the DMV within 72 hours.

The other vital deadline car accident victims need to know is two years. You have two years from the date of the accident and injuries to file a car accident case. You may think this sounds like a long time, but in these situations, months go by in the matter of a blink it seems. Any delay in beginning this process can be very problematic, even if you contact an attorney a year out. A case is more difficult to work for even the best attorneys when time is running out. Call us today at 503-546-3167 for your free case consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire an attorney for my car accident?

Yes, calling an experienced attorney’s office can be the smartest thing to do during this process. Not only will you receive valuable advice on what to do next, but if you choose to hire us at the Johnston Law Firm, you will have a team that fights and cares for you. Give us a call today.

How much do I have to pay for a lawyer?

For an experienced and dedicated team like us, we charge nothing up front. We only get paid when you get paid. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not receive payment until we finish a settlement for you.

When should I talk to an attorney?

An attorney should be your third or fourth call after an accident. First should be the police or fire department, second should be your loved ones, third should be your insurance company. Report your accident to your insurance company but do not give a recorded statement until calling an attorney. Call us as soon as possible so we can begin helping you.

I Was Hurt By Another Motorist in Sandy, OR. How Do I Know if I Have a Case?

If another driver’s negligence caused your accident and you suffered injuries or financial losses, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Negligence can involve speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield, driving under the influence, or violating other traffic safety laws.

At Johnston Law Firm, we can investigate your collision, review police reports and medical records, identify potentially responsible parties, and evaluate your damages. Even if you believe you were partially responsible for the accident, you may still qualify for compensation under Oregon’s comparative negligence laws. We can assess your situation during a free consultation and explain your legal options.

How Long Do I Have to File My Car Accident Claim in Sandy, OR?

Under ORS 12.110, you generally have two years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Oregon. However, certain exceptions may affect this deadline, and claims involving government entities may require formal notice within a much shorter period, often 180 days under the Oregon Tort Claims Act.

Insurance claims may also have separate notification requirements. At Johnston Law Firm, we can review your circumstances, identify applicable deadlines, and help you take the necessary steps to protect your right to compensation.

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We’re conveniently located in downtown Portland, and we offer flexible hours by appointment.