Auto Accident Injury Lawyer
4.8 Million Auto Injuries in 2021
Motor vehicles are hazardous to your health. In the United States in 2020, more than 42,000 people died in car accidents, up by more than 10 % from 2021, and over 4.8 million people were seriously injured in car accidents.
Your Troutdale Injury Lawyer
I have been an attorney for over 35 years. I have handled all aspects of trials in a wide range of subject matters- criminal, civil, family, probate, tax, bankruptcy and administrative, in state courts and federal courts. I have recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation for my clients. In sum, I have the experience, maturity and practical wisdom to handle your injury claim at all stages to settlement or jury verdict.
I am able and aggressive. I will make my skills work for you.
If You Have Been Injured
If you have been injured in a car accident, chances are you have already been contacted by an insurance company representing the at-fault driver. Did the insurance company tell you to get a lawyer? Probably not. Why? Because the insurance company does not represent you; it represents its shareholders. Their goal is to maximize profit for their shareholder and they do that by trying to pay as little as they can in compensation to injury victims.
There is an old saying in the law: The person who represents him/herself in a legal dispute has a fool for a client.
The cause(s) of a car accident can be complicated. Were traffic control devices ignored? Was the at-fault driver impaired? Was attention diverted due to use of a handheld device? Were there other conditions, such as weather, road layout or traffic conditions, that may have contributed to the accident? Often the facts and circumstances of an accident are not clear and you need expert input to evaluate whether your case is clear cut or not.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
If you have been injured in a car accident, you need representation especially if you are dealing with an insurance company. Insurance companies are very wealthy and they use their wealth to make sure they pay you as little as they can get away. The have investigators, doctors and other experts at their beck and call. Dealing with an insurance company without representation is like bringing a water pistol to a nuclear war.
I have been representing car accident victims for over 35 years. I know each step to take in the process to guide you to a maximum settlement or jury verdict. I never stop fighting for you. I know exactly how insurance companies operate, how they evaluate damages in injury claims and I will use my knowledge and experience to maximize the compensation you deserve for the injuries you suffered.
Call Your Troutdale Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, give me a call today for a free consultation and get your claim evaluated. Put my 35 years of knowledge and experience to work for you
What is an injury?
An injury is monetary, physical and emotional in nature. Meaning: medical bills and out of pocket expenses related to treatment; lost income during and sometimes after you recover; pain and suffering; mental stress and anguish. Each of these elements of an injury are compensable by law.
If I have been injured, do I need to file a lawsuit?
No. The vast majority of injury claims settle without a lawsuit being filed.
What is a lawsuit?
A lawsuit is a proceeding in a court of law between two parties that begins with the filing in court of a formal document called a “Complaint.” The party filing a complaint is a “plaintiff” and the party against whom the complaint is filed is the “defendant.” A complaint is a written claim that lays out the facts of a legal dispute and requests a remedy
How much time do I have to file my lawsuit?
In Oregon, you must file a lawsuit within 2 years of the date of your injury or your injury claim will be barred. Some accidents require you to file a formal notice of intent to file a lawsuit, such as accidents caused by a state or local official, which require a notice to be sent withing 180 days of the accident.
How much does it cost to have my case evaluated?
I offer a free consultation to evaluate your claim, no strings attached.
How much do you charge to represent me?
I only get paid if I recover a settlement or jury verdict for you. In other words, I don’t get paid unless you win.
I’m concerned about how long it takes. What can you tell me?
Many lawsuits are resolved by a settlement without a lawsuit being filed. However, if a lawsuit has to be filed to protect your rights, most cases are resolved within 6 months of filing the complaint.
What compensation am I entitled to?
There are two basic components of compensation: Economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are your medical bills, lost income and related out of pocket expenses you incurred as a result of your injuries. Non-Economic damages are for pain and suffering, disability and loss of enjoyment of life due to the physical and emotional impacts of the injuries on you.
How valuable is my claim:
This depends on a number of factors, such as the extent of your injury, the amount of your treatment bills and lost income and whether your injuries are permanent, as well as what juries have awarded for similar injuries. These factors, as well as the cause of your injuries are all taken into consideration in assessing the value of your claim.
What happens if the person who caused mu injury doesn’t have insurance or not enough insurance to adequately compensate me for my injuries?
In Oregon, as in many states, the law requires that every policy of automobile accident insurance must provide coverage for injuries caused when the other driver is either uninsured or underinsured. If you were a driver or a passenger who was injured by the fault of an uninsured driver or an underinsured driver, you may have a claim you can make against your own policy of insurance. All the more reason to contact me for my expert advice.
Call Your Troutdale Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, give me a call today for a free consultation and get your claim evaluated. Put my 35 years of knowledge and experience to work for you