Portland Personal Injury Lawyers

Types of Portland Personal Injury Claims and Lawsuits

No one expects their trip to the store, their day at work, or their motorcycle ride to turn tragic. An accident may take only minutes, but the effects are long-lasting and sometimes permanent.

A personal injury claim and lawsuit are your right following such a traumatic event. The following list contains examples of the most common types of personal injury cases:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Product liability
• Dog bites
• Medical Mistakes
• Workplace accidents
• Nursing home abuse and neglect.

A personal injury lawyer can review your case if you are unsure if your accident qualifies for civil action. A free case consultation provides a no-obligation starting point and can help you determine your next step.

Each personal injury case is unique to the type of accident and the circumstances involved. Some accidents involve more than one liable party, while others may have just one responsible party.

Seeking the help of a Portland personal injury attorney soon after your accident is a positive step following a tragedy. If another party is liable for your damages, the attorney you hire can manage your case while you rest and recover.

A tragic personal injury accident can occur in seconds. The damages can last a lifetime. Get help from a Portland personal injury lawyer today.

Negligence and Portland Personal Injury Accidents

A lawyer must prove negligence to pursue a personal injury claim and lawsuit. A person, company, or organization may be liable for accident damages if they fail to act with care.

A duty of care is something that we expect from those around us. When someone breaches that duty, they are generally negligent and liable for the resulting harm.

Portland personal injury lawyers handle cases involving negligence. As licensed, professional attorneys, they can fight for the compensation their clients deserve.

Negligence can occur in a variety of settings. There is no way to predict or avoid the impact that changes your life. The following examples of negligence demonstrate how such an accident can occur in your daily life.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Oregon is home to 3.1 million licensed drivers. It takes just one reckless driver to change your life. Examples of negligence in car, truck, or motorcycle accidents include drunk, distracted, drowsy, or aggressive drivers. These same drivers place other road users at risk, such as bicyclists and pedestrians.

The severity of injuries differs for vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. A Portland car accident involving one of these road users can result in road rash, multiple broken bones, and fatalities.

Failure to maintain control of a vehicle due to poor choices, like drinking and driving, demands accountability. A Portland, personal injury lawyer, can help you fight for that accountability and your damages.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Property owners have a duty of care for those they invite onto their property. A breach of that duty can occur when an invited guest trips over a cord, slips on a wet floor, or falls in a poorly lit parking lot.

Slip and fall accidents contain a few specific elements. One such feature was when the property owner knew of the hazard or that it existed for so long, they should have known about it.

Striking a hard and unforgiving surface can result in life-altering injuries. From brain trauma to internal bleeding, slip-and-fall victims must seek immediate medical attention.

These accidents involving negligence differ from motor vehicle accidents because there is typically no police response. Therefore, gathering as much information as possible at the scene can help your lawyer with your case.

Dog Bite Accidents

When it comes to pets, dogs are the most popular choice, with 69 percent of American households home to at least one dog. A dog’s demeanor can change instantly and for various reasons.

Dogs bite when they are:

• Sick
• Startled
• Protective
• Playful.

One severe outcome of a dog bite is the threat of rabies. The vaccination record for the dog responsible is imperative for a victim’s treatment plan.

Other significant injuries from a dog bite include muscle, tendon, and nerve damage. For young children, their small height places them near a dog’s mouth. A severe dog bite can result in plastic surgery for children and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dog owners have a responsibility to maintain control of their dogs. If you or your child suffered severe harm due to a dangerous dog, contact a Portland personal injury lawyer without delay.

These are just a few examples of the types of personal injury cases where negligence is a factor. Accident victims who suffer significant damages deserve to fight for the compensation they deserve. The fight is less stressful with help from a personal injury lawyer.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury is one of the most traumatic injuries that can result from negligence. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) define a TBI as a bump, blow, jolt, or penetrating head injury that disrupts normal brain function.

A severe TBI can forever change an accident victim from someone you once knew. Depending upon the severity of the injury, a TBI patient may require around-the-clock care — very costly care.

TBI patients face such challenges as relearning speech or walking. Behavior and emotional problems are often present, with angry outbursts and depression.

Victims of negligence sometimes suffer from more than one significant injury. For example, a victim may suffer from a TBI and sustain multiple bone fractures. Or a patient with a spinal cord injury may also have a mild or severe concussion or TBI.

These types of catastrophic injuries require ongoing care. Rehabilitation, therapies, and other related costs can far exceed your savings. When the reason for such care is due to negligence, you should not pay out of pocket for your accident expenses.

You do not have to face your claim and lawsuit alone. By entrusting a lawyer with your case, you can rest easier knowing someone is on your side and at work for you.

Portland Personal Injury: Frequently Asked Questions

Questions concerning your options may prevent you from resting. The following frequently asked questions can help ease your mind about the civil process.

Can I settle with the insurance company without a lawyer?

Hiring a personal injury lawyer protects your best interests. If you settle without an attorney, you typically receive less compensation than you deserve.

Is a wrongful death lawsuit different from a personal injury lawsuit?

A wrongful death lawsuit is a different type of civil lawsuit. If negligence led to the death of a close loved one, you may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit for your loss.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit?

Oregon law allows two years for personal injury lawsuits and three years for wrongful death lawsuits. The time for both types of cases begins at the time of injury or death.

What types of damages are possible?

The types of damages generally included in a personal injury lawsuit are medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Wrongful death lawsuits include such costs as funerals and the victim’s final medical expenses.

How can I help my case?

You can help your case by providing your attorney with contact information for witnesses, police reports, and accident scene photographs. It is best to refrain from sharing information about the accident on social media until your case is resolved.

Can I afford a lawyer?

You cannot afford not to hire a We work on a contingency fee at Strong Law Accident and Injury Attorneys. We collect our fees only if and when we win your case.

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that seek to protect their best interests. Years of experience in civil case negotiations and trials make them challenging to manage alone.

Learn more about your options by scheduling a free case consultation. If your case moves forward, there is no fee unless your lawyer wins. Call us today at 206-741-1053.

Your Portland Personal Injury Case: Why You Should Not Give in or Give Up

A personal injury case can take weeks, months, or longer. There is no magic button for making the legal process faster.

The stress of your situation may lead you to consider accepting the insurance company’s settlement offer. No matter how discouraged you feel, do not give in.

If you settle now, you settle permanently, as in case closed. There is no return for additional funds. A severe injury can develop complications. You cannot fight for more money later if you accept a settlement now.

Fighting for the compensation you deserve takes time. Strong communication with your lawyer can keep you abreast of the latest developments in your case.

What happened to you or your loved one was not fair. It was unjust, and they, not you, should pay your damages.

Contacting a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following your accident is a favorable decision. Securing legal representation takes you out of the day-to-day management of your case and allows you more time to rest.

How a Portland Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You

The severe injuries or the tragic loss you experienced leave you in a vulnerable state. Negotiating for a fair settlement is a serious matter that requires a dedicated focus.

Most personal injury cases settle without going to trial. However, if your issue is especially complex, your lawyer may deem it necessary to proceed to court.

Filing your civil lawsuit within the required statute of limitations protects your right to sue. Your lawyer has familiarity with the Portland court system and Oregon law. When combined with negotiation and trial experience, your lawyer is invaluable to your case.

The last thing accident victims or grieving loved ones need pressure from insurance companies. Because they focus on closing your claim quickly and for a small amount, they do not consider your need for rest and privacy.

Hiring an attorney can protect your peace of mind. You can refer insurance company representatives to your attorney and spend more time with loved ones.

A personal injury accident changes your life. Accident victims face painful procedures due to severe injuries, and some deal with permanent loss. Negligence is never acceptable. If another party is responsible for altering your life, hold them accountable with help from Strong Law Accident and Injury Attorneys.

A Portland personal injury attorney helps accident victims protect their best interests. Call Strong Law today at 206-741-1053.