Auto accidents are a constant occurrence on the highways and roads of the Portland metro area, killing numerous people and seriously injuring many more. Victims can instantly have every shred of normalcy removed from their life. Being injured in an auto accident can turn your life upside down, but hiring an auto accident lawyer can help. We have experience in many types of auto accident-related cases. We practice other types of personal injury law as well.
How to protect your personal injury claim:
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First, do not give a statement of any kind to the other driver’s insurance company. In almost every situation this can only hurt your case and it cannot help you.
Second, if you are experiencing any symptoms that suggest an injury of any type, go see a doctor as soon as possible so that your injuries can be treated and documented. The longer you wait to seek medical treatment for your injuries the longer it will likely take for you to recover. Insurance companies may use a gap in treatment against you.
Third, do not worry about jeopardizing the other driver’s family or well-being. Except in incredibly rare situations, it is always the insurance companies who pay to compensate you. They have deep pockets, and they can afford it. Never feel bad or guilty about requesting fair compensation.
Lastly, do not settle your claim until you have, at the very least, talked with an experienced personal injury attorney. A consult with a personal injury attorney at Johnson Law is free, so why not take advantage of it?
Personal injury matters that involve relatively small personal vehicles such as cars and trucks are perhaps the most common type of personal injury matter. The injury types, laws, and insurance companies involved differ from other major types of personal injury claims.
Large semi-trucks or other commercial vehicles are not insured in the same way as personal vehicles. The potential settlements are often larger. The tenacity of the insurance companies often increases to match the potential payouts. It can help to have an auto accident lawyer that is experienced with truck accidents and other commercial vehicles.
When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian the injuries involved are often catastrophic if not life-threatening. Determining liability is very important in a pedestrian accident matter. There are specific laws that detail the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians. You can learn more on our pedestrian accident page.
In personal injury claims, motorcycle accidents have many important aspects that set them apart from other auto accident claims. The laws involved, insurance requirements, and injury types make these special cases. We have more information in our motorcycle accident section. The attorneys at Johnson Law are experienced with motorcycle personal injury matters. If you need to look into your options, we can discuss the unique aspects of a motorcycle accident claim during a free consultation.
Time is of the essence when you have been involved in an auto accident. This is because an investigation into the facts of the accident must be quickly initiated in order to prove liability. The other driver’s insurance company often contests liability in an attempt to pay less than they should. It is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who handles auto accident cases because there are a number of steps that must be taken immediately to preserve your claim for bodily injury.
The Portland auto accident lawyers at Johnson Law have the experience and compassion necessary to be successful advocates for victims of auto accidents. Regardless of the type of collision, from violent and disastrous to a more moderate impact, we are standing by to provide answers and assistance in any way we can. We are here to help.
In Oregon, victims of auto accidents are entitled to benefits through their own auto insurance policies for up to two years after the date of the accident. However, steps must be taken in order to ensure that the benefits (such as compensation for wage loss) start flowing in a timely manner. Most importantly, victims of auto accidents frequently are in need of medical treatment, and the personal injury attorneys at Johnson Law can be of great assistance in ensuring that reasonable and necessary medical bills get paid for.
Your auto insurance company must pay for reasonable and necessary medical treatment for two years after the auto accident up to the limit of your PIP policy. The minimum PIP policy limit is $15,000 in Oregon. You may also be entitled to PIP benefits for replacement service, which means that your insurance company may have to pay someone to do a task that you were able to do prior to the auto accident but now cannot do for a period of time after the auto accident.
The experienced auto accident attorneys at Johnson Law treat every case as if it is going to trial. This is because if the necessary steps are taken to prepare a case for trial, the case’s settlement value usually increases. If the defending insurance company refuses to provide reasonable compensation to settle the case, then the personal injury attorneys at Johnson Law are poised to effectively litigate on your behalf. The auto accident lawyers at Johnson Law are not afraid to put in the hard work and effort that is necessary to successfully litigate a case and get the compensation you deserve.
You can see actual settlement examples for car accidents on our results page. Listed below are some of the types of cases an auto accident lawyer can help you deal with: