Woodburn Personal Injury Lawyer
About Johnston Law Firm
Our Personal Injury Experience
Each year, hundreds of people are hurt in accidents. Their injuries range from minor cuts and burns to major injuries that require immediate medical care. It isn’t unusual for someone with a serious injury to spend weeks in the hospital, possibly in the intensive care unit. Unfortunately, even the best health insurance rarely covers all these costs.
Most accidents are caused by a failure to use necessary care, which is called negligence. We see negligence cause many of the most common Woodburn accidents, including:
- Motor vehicle crashes: cars, trucks, and motorcycles can get into collisions which leave passengers and others in serious pain.
- Slip and falls: many hazards on the ground can send a person tumbling, including ice, snow, uneven floorboards, condensation, and spilled liquids;
- Premises liability accidents: certain hazards can hurt a visitor, such as exposed wires or faulty staircases;
- Medical malpractice: doctors and other medical professionals must follow the applicable standards of care, otherwise they are liable for patient injuries;
- Defective products: a product that is defectively designed or manufactured can fail to work properly, and products lacking necessary safety labels or instructions are also dangerous;
- Wrongful death: an accident victim can unfortunately perish following any accident.
Troutdale Personal Injury FAQ
These are some common questions we are asked all the time about personal injury cases. If you have a different question, please contact us:
What should I Do after an Accident?⌄
It is important to take certain steps following an accident or crash. For example, we recommend calling the police after a motor vehicle crash. They will investigate and create a police report.
Try to document your accident as well. Documentation can include talking to witnesses, taking pictures of any hazard, or preserving a defective product. Remember not to have your car or motorcycle fixed until your attorney can inspect it.
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Tough Negotiators for Our Clients
Many hurdles confront a Woodburn accident victim hoping to negotiate a settlement. One problem is comparative negligence. Under Oregon law, your own negligence might have contributed to the accident. Think of a motorist who is speeding when he gets hit by a driver running a red light. Both drivers are a little at fault. If you are more at fault than other parties, you can’t sue.
Many victims submit a claim to an insurer expecting it to be paid promptly. Instead, they receive a denial letter in the mail and nothing but silence over the phone. Johnston Law Firm knows how to respond when an insurer denies your claim. Even better, if you hire us after an accident, we can submit your claim in such a way that your odds improve dramatically.
Negotiation is a back-and-forth process during which it might seem like nothing is happening. But our Woodburn personal injury lawyers are always thinking of how to maximize the compensation for our clients.
Personal Injury Deadlines
Oregon gives accident victims only a window of opportunity to file a lawsuit for a personal injury. The length of time is determined by the relevant statute of limitations:
- Medical malpractice: You have two years from the medical mistake which injured you or the date you discovered your injury.
- Personal injury: You have two years from the date of the accident.
- Wrongful death: You have three years from the date of the accident which ultimately led to the death.
Two or three years might seem like an eternity. But many accident victims lost track of time while rehabbing their injuries and trying to get back to work. If you go past these deadlines, then you won’t have the right to sue the defendant.
Free Confidential Case Evaluation
Contact us today at
503-546-3167
to get a FREE, confidential case evaluation
We’re conveniently located in downtown Portland, and we offer flexible hours by appointment.