When Should I File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Oregon?

If you are injured in a car accident in Portland Oregon, or any of the cities throughout Oregon, you may be entitled to compensation in an insurance claim. Unfortunately, insurance companies often fail to fully compensate car accident victims for losses they suffer. Depending on the situation, filing a car accident lawsuit using a Portland Oregon car accident attorney may be a better option than trying to get compensation through an insurance claim. Find out more about the types of compensation available in this type of claim when using a Portland car accident lawyer..

Recovering Financially From an Oregon car accident

Personal injuries suffered due to car accidents can impact your health for years after. But sometimes, even worse than recovering from a personal injury, it can take a long time to recover financially, especially if you are not given the proper compensation from the insurance company. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), even a seemingly minor car crash can cause damages totaling $10,000 or more, while a more serious collision can result in millions in losses. 

Insurance policies you and the other driver have in place can help Insurance policies you and the other driver have a place that can help offset expenses, but you can still be left paying out-of-pocket. In some cases, filing a car accident lawsuit, with a Portland car accident attorney, can help you receive additional types of compensation that you are entitled to due to your personal injury or other losses. This may include: 

• Economic damages: These cover actual costs associated with a car accident in Oregon. It includes compensation for repairs/replacement of your vehicle, current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and future losses in earnings and benefits due to any ongoing disabilities you suffer from. 
• Non-economic damages: These cover intangible costs victims suffer due to car accidents. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, scarring, disfigurement, and lost enjoyment in life in the aftermath of a crash. 
• Punitive damages: In cases where the other driver was willfully negligent, such as driving under the influence or at high rates of speed, we can push for punitive damages. These are designed to punish the at-fault driver and act as a deterrent to prevent others from engaging in similar behavior. Punitive damages can represent a significant portion of your claim, totaling up to $500,000

When To File A Car Accident Lawsuit

The following are situations when you might want to consider filing a car accident lawsuit, with a Portland car accident lawyer, rather than an insurance claim: 

• When the at-fault driver is uninsured;
• When the amount of coverage they have in place fails to cover your costs;
• When multiple drivers are responsible in a car accident;
• When the actions of the at-fault driver were grossly negligent. 

A car accident lawsuit is also an option in cases where you are partially at fault for a crash. Under Oregon Statutes (ORS 31.600), you may still be entitled to compensation provided you were not more than 51 percent to blame.

Request A Consultation With Our Oregon Car Accident Attorneys

To discuss your options in filing a car accident lawsuit, reach out to Johnston Law Firm P.C. An experienced car accident attorney can make all the difference and has dealt with many insurance companies. We are dedicated to helping injured car accident victims and their families get the maximum amount they need to recover from their personal injuries. Call our Portland law office at (503) 496-7989 or contact our Oregon car accident attorneys online to request a free consultation today.