Gresham Car Accident Attorney

If you suffered an injury in a Gresham, Oregon car accident and need legal assistance right away, then a lawyer directory service can take the stress of finding an attorney off of you so that you can focus on healing. Call 1-800-Injured. As an attorney and medical directory service serving Gresham, Oregon, 1-800-Injured is registered with the Oregon bar as a Qualifying Provider and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Whether you were rear ended or involved in another type of car accident, you may be wondering how state insurance law affects your case. A Gresham car accident lawyer fights for you to get the compensation you deserve for the total value of your economic and noneconomic losses.

Car Crash

Proving Liability in a Gresham, OR Car Accident

Driver error, bad weather, defective vehicles, and poor road maintenance can lead to personal injury claims. However, most car accidents are due to negligence. Most often, the liable party is another driver. If the liable party is a third party, such as an auto manufacturer, government entity or employer, then your attorney will gather the facts that establish their fault. The most common pieces of evidence used to prove liability are:

  • Police report
  • Actual damage to your car
  • Photographs
  • Witness Testimony
  • Video footage
  • Medical records in connection with your accident-related injury

All drivers in Gresham, Oregon must obey the law when behind the wheel. A driver who was speeding, drinking, texting, or otherwise breaking the law at the time of a crash is likely to be found to be at fault. Drivers owe each other a duty of care to use reasonable caution when operating their vehicle. When it can be proved that a driver has breached this duty, they can be held liable for the damages they have caused.

Oregon is a no fault insurance state. Non-commercial auto insurance policies in Gresham Oregon come with no fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage which will pay for 70% of your lost wages, subject to a $3,000 limit per month. Under Oregon law, all drivers must carry PIP coverage.  With PIP coverage, you may be able to recover some compensation from your own insurance company regardless of who the at fault party is. 

If the other driver is found to be liable but doesn’t have enough insurance, then you can file an uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance claim in Oregon. You should speak to a personal injury attorney about what your options are if you were hit by a driver without insurance.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Gresham, OR

The most important thing after an auto accident is your safety. Check on the other party to see if they are okay, and call 911. Exchange contact with the other driver, like your names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, auto insurance provider, and policy number. Do not discuss the accident, admit fault or blame the driver of the other vehicle.

Take pictures of the scene of the auto accident. This is the only time to capture the end positions of each vehicle in a car crash. The insurance company may also hire private investigators to determine the at-fault parties, but having footage from the day of the accident is vital.

Seek medical attention within 24 hours of your accident. A doctor should evaluate you for back, neck, spine, brain, and soft tissue injuries. Even if your injuries are minor, you should still get checked by a doctor for treatment.

Consult with an attorney within two or three days of your accident, and before you contact the insurance company. They can help you start the legal process right away in Gresham, Oregon and are more likely to get you a positive outcome. An attorney’s goal is to get you a fair amount in damages. 

Recoverable Damages After a Car Accident in Gresham

There are two types of damages that crash victims can recover in a personal injury lawsuit: economic damages and non economic damages.

Economic damages encompass all of your financial losses. The bulk of these losses will be your medical expenses, future medical expenses and lost wages. Other financial losses in car accident cases include property damage, child care, travel expenses to out-of-town medical specialists and modifications to your home or vehicle if your injuries leave you disabled.

Non economic damages are intangible losses and include emotional distress, mental anguish and pain and suffering. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is very common after car accidents. Talk to your personal injury attorney about recovering fair compensation for your noneconomic damages after an auto accident.

What Are Some Common Injuries After a Car Accident?

Some of the most common injuries after auto accidents are whiplash, head injuries, back injuries, broken bones, cuts, and bruises. Catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries.

The force of impact on the bones and internal organs during an auto accident can rupture blood vessels, fracture bones, and bruise the brain or other internal organs. Depending on the speed and direction each of the cars was traveling, the victims can twist or get pinned in the vehicle, straining muscles and contorting them beyond their range of motion. Victims may require emergency surgery, a lengthy hospital stay, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

A personal injury is very costly. Between the hospital visit, outpatient appointments and physical therapy, your losses could be hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you have suffered a serious injury in a car wreck and have mounting medical bills, then call our Gresham car accident lawyers today.

Free Case Evaluation

If you were in a car crash, motorcycle accident, or any of the other types of auto accidents, then you should contact a Gresham law firm. An attorney helps you obtain greater compensation and protects you from being taken advantage of by the insurance adjuster. When negotiating settlements, experience matters. 

When looking to hire an experienced car accident attorney, choose a personal injury law firm that offers a free consultation and works on a contingency fee basis. This approach means that there is no risk on your part in talking to an attorney about your auto accident. Your free case evaluation is your opportunity to learn more about how a specific firm has helped other clients just like you.

A car accident lawyer serving Gresham, Oregon can tell you about other cases their law firm has handled that are similar to yours, and what their track record for success is. Here are some questions that you should ask during your consultation:

  • Do I have a valid claim to pursue compensation for my injury?
  • What strategy would you use for my case?
  • What is your fee structure?
  • Who do I contact with questions about my case? 
  • Who will communicate with me on the progress of my case, and how often?
  • How can I help with my case?

Gresham Car Accident Attorney

After an auto accident, you may be feeling scared, disoriented and overwhelmed. You may be wondering how much compensation you deserve, how to even add up all your losses and what legal deadlines you need to meet. All of these questions can be answered by a personal injury attorney who specializes in car accidents.

Personal injury lawyers have your best interests at heart, whereas the insurance companies do not. A personal injury attorney can help you understand insurance claims and how to recover compensation in your case. Car accident lawyers protect you from the insurance company in many ways. They talk to the insurance adjuster for you, so there’s no chance that they can ask a question in a deceptive way. 

Get help with finding a personal injury attorney after your auto accident. 1-800-Injured is a Lawyer & Medical Directory that connects you with reputable Gresham car accident attorneys.