Silverton Car Accident Attorney

Auto Accident Lawyer Representing Injury Victims in Silverton, OR

Being involved in a car accident is like being thrown into a world of unknowns. You may be scared, angry, shocked or all the above. Regardless of how it happens, it is scary for all involved parties. No matter the situation, we at the Johnston Law Firm will be here to help you in any way we can. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident or has passed away from those injuries, compensation may be eligible to you. Give us a call today to get started on getting your life back. Call 503-546-3167.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Many of today’s car accidents are results of poor decision making and human errors. These decisions and mistakes put not only the person committing them in danger, but also everyone else on the roads. The list below shows some of the most common causes of car accidents.

Illegal lane changes
Distracted driving
Driving too fast for the current decisions
Speeding
Failing to yield to oncoming traffic
Failing to avoid oncoming vehicle ahead

These causes put everyone at risk and result in many different types of collisions and accidents. We represent many clients who have been involved in these types of collisions and accidents:

Truck collisions
Accident involving pedestrians
Accidents involving the elderly
Hit and runs
Rear end collisions
Head on collisions
Side impact collisions

Getting Started on your Car Accident Claim in Silverton

The first thing to do to begin your claim is to report the accident to your insurance company and file an official DMV accident report. You then should give us a call at 503-546-3167 to get our quick and honest legal advice for you.

We will listen to you and help you in any way we can. There are a few deadlines you will need to keep in mind if you wish to pursue compensation though. The first is to file that DMV report within 3 days of the accident. This will help the record keeping of your case. The other much more important deadline is two years.

You, as a victim of a car accident have two years from the date of the accident and injuries (same day) to file your case. Although this might seem like a chunk of time, it can fly by and you can get yourself in trouble if you wait too long. Even if you give us a call with six months to go before the two years, it can be difficult to build an adequate case on your behalf, for any attorney. Contact us as soon as possible so we can begin helping you.

Helpful Tips for Car Accident Victims

In a process like after a car accident, it can be easy to be so shocked and scared, or hurt, to be a bit numb to what to do, or who to talk to. What we at the Johnston Law Firm focus on is you. We want you to feel secure and safe in this unknown time. There are some things not to do in this process, while there are some things to make sure to do.

What NOT to do after a car accident

Discuss the details of the accident with the other driver: this can get both sides into a trickier mess than a car accident already is, especially if you choose to hire an attorney. Let your attorney deal with this side of the incident, while you focus on recovering.
Give a recorded statement to an insurance company before contacting an attorney: they will call you many times to get more and more information from you. This will progress into a request for a recorded statement regarding the accident. Ignore this call or simply tell them you are not ready. Contact us at the Johnston Law Firm as soon as possible.
Accept cash as settlement from the other driver (s): this can complicate things for your case as well. Some people may offer but do your best to decline.

Helpful things to do after an accident

Pull off the road to a safe spot out of traffic
Take pictures of the other driver’s license plate, license, and insurance coverage card
Take pictures of all vehicle damage
Speak with any possible witnesses; gather their name and phone number
Report the accident to your insurance company and DMV when you get home
Call an experienced Silverton car accident attorney at 503-546-3167

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I afford an attorney?

Yes, you can. We at the Johnston Law Firm work on a contingency-fee basis. This means we do not make money until we obtain a settlement for you. We want to fight for you to get you back on your feet and ensure you are treated fairly by everyone.

Do I have to go to trial if I hire a lawyer?

In short, not likely. We work tirelessly to ensure court does not happen. Rarely do these kinds of cases go to trial but we prepare as if court was tomorrow.

Will my insurance cover all my medical bills and vehicle damage?

This will depend on the insurance policies involved as well as who accepted liability. For example, if you are rear ended and the at-fault driver’s insurance accepts full liability, they will most likely cover the damage or offer you an amount to buy your vehicle from you. In many cases, your insurance will handle the medical aspect while the at-fault driver’s insurance will handle the vehicle damage aspect.

Johnston Law Firm, located in Portland, handles car accident claims throughout Oregon, including Silverton.

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