Sheridan Personal Injury Attorney

Representing injured Victims In Sheridan and Throughout All Of Oregon

Accidents occur suddenly and unexpectedly. When they do, you may sustain catastrophic injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and even paralysis. Even minor injuries such as concussions and whiplash can become much bigger issues than they first seem. These injuries are not only extremely painful, but you will also have high medical bills to pay, and you likely cannot return to work to pay for them. You may also miss time with your friends and family members.

When you sustain these losses due to an accident caused by the negligence or carelessness of another person, you deserve compensation for those losses. Unfortunately, obtaining the full and fair damages from the liable party or the insurance company that covers them is rarely easy. Our Sheridan personal injury lawyer can help you through the process so you obtain the justice you deserve.

Areas of Personal Injury Law Our Lawyers Handle

The majority of accidents that result in serious injury are due to another person’s negligence. Negligence is a legal theory that describes when a person acts, or fails to act, in a manner that keeps everyone safe. Negligence is not an intentional act. Still, when someone is careless and they cause an accident that results in significant losses for another person, they can and should be held liable. Some of the most common areas of personal injury law that deal with negligence include:

Motor vehicle accidents, which may include passenger vehicles, trucks, and motorcycles
Bicycle accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Premises liability accidents, including slip and falls
Medical malpractice
Accidents caused by defective products
Wrongful death

Sheridan Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Damages Available in Personal Injury Cases

No one can determine the value of any personal injury claim without first fully reviewing the facts of the case. If your injuries were fairly minor, it is still worth filing a claim, as your losses may be worth a few thousands dollars. On the other hand, if your injuries were very serious, you may be able to recover hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars.

The damages available in personal injury claims are divided between economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are easier to calculate, as they have an actual dollar value. Medical expenses, lost wages, the cost of medication are some of the most common types of economic damages in personal injury claims.

Non-economic damages do not have an actual dollar value and so, they are much more difficult to calculate. A Sheridan personal injury lawyer will know the different formulas to use to accurately value your claim. Pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement and scarring, and loss of consortium and companionship are just a few of the most common types of non-economic damages in personal injury claims.

In rare cases, punitive damages are also awarded after an accident. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are not meant to compensate accident victims but instead, punish the liable party. Punitive damages are not always awarded in personal injury claims. In order to receive them, the defendant must have acted with gross recklessness or carelessness.

Settlement Offers from Insurance Companies

It is natural to be concerned that you will not receive any compensation through a personal injury claim. You may worry that you have to pay your medical expenses and other costs out of your own pocket. When the insurance company calls you, which they often do soon after an accident, they may make a settlement offer. It is just as natural to be excited about this offer and accept it because you are happy to receive anything at all.

Sadly, the settlement initially offered by the insurance company is likely not enough to fully cover the cost of your injuries. The insurance company is hoping that you will accept the settlement, knowing you deserve more. You should never speak to an insurance company, or accept any offer, before you speak to a Sheridan personal injury lawyer. An attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation that will fully cover the cost of your injuries.

How Can a Sheridan Personal Injury Lawyer Help with Your Case?

You are never required to work with a Sheridan personal injury lawyer when filing your claim. However, studies have shown that accident victims receive significantly more compensation when they work with an attorney. When working on your claim, a lawyer will:

Conduct a full investigation to determine how your accident occurred
Collect evidence during the investigation that corroborates your claim so you have a better chance of a successful outcome
Accurately value your claim depending on the losses you sustained
Identify the liable party and send them a demand letter, informing them that you are pursuing a claim and the total amount of compensation you are asking for
Negotiate aggressively with the liable party or the insurance company covering them
Represent you at trial, although this is rarely necessary

Although it is always recommended that you work with an attorney when filing any personal injury claim, there are times when legal advice is particularly useful. If your injuries are very serious, for example, the insurance company will fight back against you even harder because they do not want to pay the compensation you deserve. An attorney will push back against the insurer and make sure that your claim is filed properly, even if you do not have the capacity to do so yourself.

You should also always contact an attorney if someone is claiming that you were partly at fault for the accident. These arguments can be disastrous to your claim and result in less compensation, or none at all. A lawyer will know which evidence to present to show you are not to blame, while also creating a strong case against the liable party.

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Sheridan Personal Injury Lawyer