When to Get an Attorney for an Auto Accident
In any situation involving an auto accident, it’s strongly recommended to hire a vehicle accident law firm so you can have reliable legal advice for car accident cases. Even if the case seems uncomplicated and clear and you’re confident in your innocence, these things don’t always play out as you imagined.
No matter what the circumstances are or how simple or complex the case appears to you, it’s always a good idea to seek legal aid. Attorneys with experience in car accident negligence cases, accidents, and personal injuries will be able to answer your questions and assist in your battle for compensation.
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Car Accident Lawyer in Portland, OR
Portland Legal Group has vast experience representing people injured in all types of car accidents. Whether it is a hit-and-run or rear-end accident, we have lawyers specializing in representing your case. We also handle accidents involving pedestrians and help them get compensated for damages. If you or your loved one were injured in a Portland accident, you might be eligible for compensation. With a trusted Portland car accident attorney on your side, you’ll have the best chance of justice. Call us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward getting the compensation.
Portland Car Accident Attorneys Dedicated to Fighting for Your Rights
Our team of car accident attorneys in Portland is ready and willing to fight for your rights. No matter the conditions of the crash or accident, we’ll support you from start to finish, providing helpful advice and building a strong case in your favor.
What Are the Main Causes of Car Accidents?
Even though it is so easy to learn to drive, many factors could cause car accidents, despite your driving experience. Portland experiences a significant number of accidents annually, and knowing some of the common causes will help you prevent them. Here are the main causes of car accidents in Portland, Oregon:
- Distracted Driving
- Speeding
- Reckless Driving
- Bad Weather Conditions
- Vehicle Malfunction
Portland Car Accident Statistics
- On average, there are between 10,000 and 12,000 crashes in and around Portland, Oregon, each year.
- Over 60 people die in Portland traffic accidents each year, on average, with almost half of them being pedestrians.
- The majority of fatal auto accidents in Portland occur at night.
- Most of the worst auto accidents occur in Portland’s High Crash Network, which is made up of around 8% of the city’s streets.
Types of Car Accident Cases Our Law Firm Handles
Our Portland car accident lawyers can handle a vast range of auto accident situations, including:
- Distracted drivers
- Drunk driving
- Head-on collisions
- Intersection accidents
- Read-end crashes
- Rollovers
- Rideshare accidents
- Collisions at construction zones
- Faulty airbags and other interior components
- Trucking accidents
From drunk driving cases to dramatic head-on collisions, you can always count on a car accident lawyer from our firm in Portland, Oregon, to assist you in obtaining a personal injury settlement.
What To Do After a Vehicle Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident in Portland, there are things you should and should not do. A car accident is unexpected and happens within seconds. The trauma and mental disorientation that follow a car accident can make it difficult for you to decide what steps to take. If you have been involved in a car accident, our Portland car accident attorneys recommend that you:
Do’s
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Call the police to the scene
- Get the contact information of potential witnesses at the scene of the accident
- If possible, take pictures of the damage caused in its raw form
Don’ts
- Admit causing the accident to anyone, especially the witnesses and police
- Leave without filing a police report and sharing your part of the story
- Speak to the other party’s insurance company
Need help navigating the aftermath of a car accident? Contact our experienced Portland car accident attorneys today for a free consultation and let us guide you through the process!
What Are the Common Injuries in a Car Accident?
The effects of a car accident vary from mild to severe injuries that can result in permanent disability or even death. Here are the most common injuries sustained in car accidents in Portland, Oregon.
- Whiplash: Very common in car accidents, whiplash affects the neck and spine and occurs when the body is suddenly flung forward or backward in the impact of an accident. It can leave people with severe neck pain and stiffness.
- Breaks and Fractures: It’s also very common for those in car accidents to end up with either fractures or full-on broken bones. These injuries may occur all over the body but often happen in the torso, legs, and arms.
- Cuts and Bruises: The impact of an accident may also leave those involved with cuts and bruises around their bodies. Shards of glass from broken windows may contribute to these kinds of injuries.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: A very serious type of injury you might incur after an auto accident is a traumatic brain injury. Symptoms can include memory loss and cognitive impairment, and it’s crucial to have strong car crash legal assistance on your side.
No matter what kind of injuries you’ve suffered after an accident, help is out there. Contact our skilled personal injury attorneys to get the help you need fighting your case and claiming compensation after an accident.
Most Common Types of Vehicle Accidents in Portland
Even though every car collision is unique, crashes follow different patterns in how they occur. Knowing these parts will help you prevent collisions in the future. In Portland, there are common types of car accidents reported to insurance companies, police, and personal injury firms. They include:
- Rear-End Collisions: This is when one car drives into the back of another, often due to the front car stopping suddenly or because of distractions or drunk driving.
- Night-Time Accidents: A lot of accidents happen on Portland’s roads after dark, due to low visibility and more intoxicated drivers on the roads.
- Collisions with Fixed Objects: It’s also quite common for auto accidents in Portland to involve cars crashing into fixed items, like fire hydrants or street lights.
- Intersection Crashes: There are several dangerous intersections around Portland where cars often collide due to drivers getting distracted or disobeying the road rules.
If you have been involved in any type of accident, get in touch with the personal injury lawyers at Portland Legal Group immediately. Our experienced car accident attorneys will help you seek compensation for all the damages you have suffered.
Proving Fault after a Car Crash
One of the most difficult aspects of the job for any car accident lawyer in Portland, Oregon is proving fault. It’s often a complex task, as drivers involved in accidents often try to claim innocence or argue that the other one was at fault. This leads to a lot of confusion and back-and-forth arguments between the parties.
You can’t just assume that the other driver will accept the blame without question. They might even try to shift liability onto you, even if you did nothing wrong, and you’ll need to gather and present evidence to support your side of the case.This is also why you need Portland car accident lawyers on your side if you hope to win an auto accident case.
Their understanding of personal injury and accident law allows them to ask the right questions and make smart, informed decisions to gather evidence. The best personal injury lawyers in Portland can build a case to paint a true picture of how the accident happened and who should be held liable.
How Can You File a Claim in a Portland Car Accident?
If you have sustained injuries in a car accident in Portland, one of the first things you should do is call your insurance company to file a claim. Calling the company as soon as possible is crucial because you will still have specific details about the car accident. Besides, your insurance company will give you valuable advice on how you can collect valuable evidence at the scene. You can also use the evidence to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.
What Damages Are Available after a Vehicle Accident?
If you file a car accident claim in Oregon with the help of our experienced Portal car accident attorneys, you can get financial compensation known as damages. The Oregon personal injury law defines damages as the financial compensation awarded to the victim due to the carelessness or negligence of another party. There are economic and non-economic damages in a car accident.
The economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Loss of wages
- Property damage and repair
The non-economic damages include:
- Loss of companionship
- Psychological distress
- Physical pain and suffering
Oregon Car Insurance Requirements
In the state of Oregon, the law requires all drivers to be insured. It is illegal to drive without insurance. There are also minimum specified amounts of insurance coverage that every driver should have, including:
- Personal injury protection valued at a minimum of $15,000 per person
- Uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injuries
- Bodily injury and property damage liability coverage of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per crash when bodily injury occurs to others, and $20,000 per crash involving damage to other people’s property
Hiring Skilled Car Accident Lawyers Near You
There’s no substitute for a skilled, experienced, and qualified car accident lawyer when it comes to handling auto accident cases in Portland. With a lawyer on your side, you’ll have a greater chance of success in your case and a high payout.
So, if you’ve been involved in an auto accident of any kind, don’t make the mistake of trying to handle your case alone. Reach out and contact our trusted legal team today.
FAQs
How Can I Receive Compensation for Property Damage from a Car Accident in Oregon?
The typical way to collect damages if your property is damaged because of an auto accident is to file your claim via the at-fault driver’s insurance company. As long as the driver is found to be primarily responsible for the accident and the damage, according to Oregon’s “comparative fault” law, they should have to pay out.
Who is Responsible for My Accident-Related Losses?
It depends on the nature and specifics of the accident. If the accident was caused by the inattention, negligence, or recklessness of another driver, they should be held liable for the costs and damages incurred by the victims. However, you’ll need to prove their liability. For that, it’s best to have an experienced lawyer on your side.
Is Oregon a No-fault State?
Oregon is a “fault” car accident state. This means that the at-fault party is also responsible for any resulting damages.
What Do I Do if an Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
You are not obligated to answer the call of an insurance adjuster who is not a representative of your own insurance company. Let your lawyer deal with them instead.
What if I was Partially at Fault for an Accident?
If you were partially at fault for an accident, you may be held partially liable and have to cover some of the costs involved. However, it all depends on exactly how responsible you were and the proportional responsibility of any other driver(s) involved in the incident. If your responsibility is judged to be minor, you can make a claim against another at-fault party.
What is the Typical Car Accident Settlement Amount in Oregon?
In the state of Oregon, statistics show that the average auto accident settlement is valued around $34,000, in case of moderate injuries. For minor injuries, the amount drops down to around $6,000, while cases involving serious injuries may have much higher payouts, closer to $375,000.
Do I Have To Accept an Insurance Company’s First Offer for My Car Accident?
You don’t have to accept the insurance company’s first offer for your car accident damages. However, it is vital to know that if you reject an offer, it can be permanently taken off the table.
Will Insurance Companies Pay for My Injuries from the Car Accident?
An insurance company will cover all the damages you suffered in a car accident. All the other resulting expenses are also covered.
Do I Need To Call the Police after an Accident?
It is a good idea to call the police after a car accident. They can help with emergency medical assistance and allow you to file a police report.
How Do I Know If I Have a Case after a Car Accident?
If you want to know if you have a car accident case, you should call Portland Legal Group for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will help you evaluate the facts of the case.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim?
Oregon has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim or personal injury claim. This is the time limit you have to file the claim.
Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
It is highly recommended that you hire an attorney for your car accident case. An attorney has the legal expertise and experience to help you recover the most compensation for damages.
What Happens If I Reject a Settlement Offer?
It is well within your rights to reject a settlement offer. However, once you reject it, you cannot go back and accept it after other options fail.