Find Here The Best Automobile Accident Injury Lawyer

Automobile Accident Claims in Oregon are Far from Simple!

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• Each day, approximately 100 Americans die in automobile accidents, and more than 1,000 suffer serious long-lasting injuries. Many of automobile accident lawyers will tell you that accidents are the leading cause of death for those from 5-24 years old, and the second leading cause of death for adults who are 25 and older (wrongful death claims). 
• If you are hurt in an automobile accident caused by another driver’s carelessness, you will likely try to obtain some compensation for bodily injuries as well as property damage. Always contact Bart Herron Oregon car accident and automobile accident lawyer for FREE Case Evaluation. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT INJURY CASE

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What Should You Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Oregon?

If you are involved in a car accident in Oregon, you should take the following steps immediately:

1. Check for injuries: Make sure you and any passengers in your vehicle are safe, and seek medical attention if necessary.
2. Call 911: Report the accident to the police and request an ambulance if anyone is injured.
3. Exchange information: Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information of all drivers involved in the accident.
4. Take photos: Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles involved and any other relevant details of the scene.
5. Notify your insurance company: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident.
6. Get contact information of all witnesses to the accident. It will be important in case a liability is disputed or denied.
7. Seek Free legal advice: If the accident resulted in injury or death, or if there is a dispute over who is at fault, you should seek the advice of a car accident attorney. Some car accident lawyers offer free consultations in your area.

It is important to follow the law and complete these steps as soon as possible after an accident, to ensure that you are protected and that the investigation proceeds smoothly.

How Do You Determine Who Is At Fault in a Car Accident?

Fault in a car accident is typically determined by investigating the circumstances of the accident and determining who was responsible for causing the crash. The process of determining fault can vary depending on the state and the specific details of the accident, but some common factors that are considered include:

1. Traffic laws: Traffic laws and regulations vary by state, but they generally establish rules for how drivers should behave on the road. The investigating officer will look at the evidence to determine if any traffic laws were violated, and whether those violations contributed to the accident.
2. Witness statements: Witness statements can provide valuable information about what happened leading up to the accident, and can help to establish fault.
3. Physical evidence: Physical evidence such as skid marks, damage to the vehicles, and the position of the vehicles after the accident can help to establish fault.
4. Expert analysis: Accident reconstruction experts may be brought in to analyze the physical evidence and provide an opinion on how the accident occurred.
5. Police Report: The police report is prepared by the investigating officer and is usually used to establish the cause of the accident and who is at fault.

Ultimately, the goal of determining fault in a car accident is to assign responsibility for the crash and to ensure that anyone who was injured receives appropriate compensation. It is important to note that depending on the state, different rule of negligence or contributory negligence may apply. New laws in Oregon are made every year.

What Happens if I am Determined to be At Fault for a Car Accident in Oregon?

If you are determined to be at fault for a car accident in Oregon, you may be liable for any damages or injuries that resulted from the crash. This means that you may be responsible for paying for the repairs to any damaged vehicles, as well as any medical expenses or other costs incurred by the other parties involved in the accident.

In Oregon, drivers are required to carry liability insurance, which covers damages and injuries that you may cause to another person in a car accident. Your insurance company will likely pay for the damages and injuries up to the limits of your policy.

If the damages or injuries exceed the limits of your insurance policy, you may be personally liable for the additional costs. In the event that the accident resulted in death or serious injury, you may also be subject to criminal charges.

Additionally, if you are found at fault for an accident in Oregon, you may also receive points on your driving record and your insurance premium may increase.

It is important to note that Oregon uses a modified comparative fault rule, which means that if you are found to be partially at fault, your liability will be reduced in proportion to the degree of fault.

It is important to speak with a good car accident attorney if you have been involved in an accident and have any concerns about your legal liability. That car accident lawyer can help you to understand your rights and responsibilities and can advise you on how to proceed next.

How Do You Determine Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident in Oregon?

Determining fault in a multi-vehicle car accident in Oregon can be more complex than in a single-vehicle accident, as there may be multiple parties who could be held responsible. The process of determining fault in a multi-vehicle accident typically involves:

1. Investigating the accident: The investigating officer will gather evidence such as witness statements, physical evidence, and any relevant traffic laws that were violated.
2. Analyzing the evidence: The evidence will be analyzed to determine the sequence of events leading up to the accident and to identify any possible causes.
3. Determining fault: Once all the evidence has been analyzed, the investigating officer will determine which parties were at fault for the accident.
4. Police Report: The police report is prepared by the investigating officer and is usually used to establish the cause of the accident and who is at fault.
5. Determining liability: Once fault has been determined, the parties who are found to be at fault may be held liable for any damages or injuries that resulted from the accident.

In a multi-vehicle accident, it is possible that more than one driver may be found to be at fault. For example, one driver may have caused the accident by running a red light, while another driver may be found to be at fault for failing to yield the right of way.

As we mentioned previously, in case of multiple parties being at fault, Oregon uses a modified comparative fault rule, which means that each party’s fault will be determined, and their liability will be reduced in proportion to the degree of fault.

Oregon PIP (Personal Injury Protection) Statute Allowed Compensation to Drivers and their Passengers:

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Medical Expense Compensation for 2 years after the date of loss and $15,000 total:

• Ambulance
• Hospital
• Dentists
• Surgeries
• X-Rays/MRIs
• etc.

Wage loss Compensation if unable to work past 14 days:

• 70% of loss income (salary, wages, tips, commissions, professional fees, profits, etc.)
• $3,000 maximum per month
• Of 52 weeks of the day of loss

Essential Services Compensation: If disable over 14 days

• $30 per day
• Of 52 weeks

Funeral Expenses Compensation:

• Occurred within a year
• Maximum $5,000

Child Care Compensation (if hospitalized over 24 hours):

• $25 per day
• Maximum $750

Damages You Can Recover from At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company:

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Medical expenses – past and future:

• physical therapy
• doctors’ visits
• ambulance fees
• permanent disability
• surgeries
• in-home care services
• Lost wages – past and future:
  • past wage loss
  • inability to earn a living

Out-Of-Pocket expenses – past and future:

• Prescriptions
• Crutches
• Wheal Chars
• Oxygen Canisters
• Etc.

Non-Economic damages – past and future:

• pain and suffering
• humiliation
• mental anguish
• loss of physical and intellectual ability
• loss of enjoyment of life
• loss of affection or companionship
• loss of consortium
• disfigurement
• etc.

Which of these damages you can recover will depend upon the exact circumstances of the automobile accident and a best auto accident attorney that represents your interests.

We recommend that you at least speak to an automobile injury attorney (503-367-0829) at no cost after a serious accident. This is especially true if you have suffered substantial physical injuries.

Legal Advice from Auto Accident Injury Lawyers: seek medical attention immediately!

We understand you have to work and earn a living to go through this tragedy. But, please don’t wait and suffer through your pain and discomfort. Some people want to appear tough; they feel they can take their time to see a medical professional. The insurance companies, while evaluating your claim, will use this against you no matter what the reasoning is. No matter what your injuries are, if you waited, the insurance company adjuster will assume you must have not been injured that bad, otherwise, you would see the doctor immediately.

Do I Settle or File Suit?

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When deciding what to do with your auto accident claim, we recommend took keep in mind:

• Most auto accident claims settle before the 2-year statute of limitation expire.
• The insurance company will want to settle as early as possible, offer as little as possible, drag your case as long as possible.
• Only 2% of automobile accident cases get filled in court.
• It is important to keep your auto accident claim moving along. We see auto claim adjusters taking weeks to reply to insured and their treatment providers.