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Oregon Personal Injury Attorney
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1.Who is going to pay my medical bills until I can settle my case?
Q2.If I can’t go to work is there a way to get my lost wages covered?
Q3.Can I take advantage of PIP if I was injured as a pedestrian or bicyclist?
Q4.Is there a time limit on resolving my case?
Q5.Are there any other time limits I should be aware of?
Q6.What factors are considered in determining the value of my case?
Q7.How can I make it a fair fight against these giant insurance companies?
Q8.All of these adjusters and lawyers make me nervous. How are you different?
Q9.How long will it take to resolve my case?
Q1.Who is going to pay my medical bills until I can settle my case?
A1. Every automobile insurance policy in Oregon is required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Your own policy’s PIP will cover your medical expenses. PIP typically has time limits and money limits. In Oregon your PIP will typically expire after one year or fifteen thousand dollars, whichever comes first.
Q2.If I can’t go to work is there a way to get my lost wages covered?
A2. In Oregon PIP covers 70% of your lost wages up to $1,250.00 a month after an initial 14 day waiting period has passed. This amount is set to increase to $3,000 a month beginning January 1, 2010.
Q3.Can I take advantage of PIP if I was injured as a pedestrian or bicyclist?
A3. You can get PIP coverage through the at fault person’s policy if you are a pedestrian or cyclist.
Q4.Is there a time limit on resolving my case?
A4. In Oregon you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit or you will lose that right. If your case is getting old it is important that you hire a good Oregon personal injury lawyer to get your case filed and protect your rights.
Q5.Are there any other time limits I should be aware of?
A5. Yes. Certain cases require notice to be given to the at fault party within strict time limits or you may lose your claim. For instance, any claim against the government requires that notice be given to the government in accordance with the Oregon Tort Claim Act within 180 days of the accident. You may not even know that the person who caused your injury was working for the government at the time. Consulting with an Oregon personal injury lawyer can help you avoid making a mistake that will leave you without a claim. Other cases also have notice requirements. In Oregon if a person is served alcohol while visibly intoxicated the serving establishment can be liable for injuries if that drunken person drives and hurts someone. However, notice of a claim must be given to the establishment within with the time frames established by law or your case may be lost.
Q6.What factors are considered in determining the value of my case?
A6. Most people have no way of knowing how much their case is worth after an accident. Insurance companies are happy to settle with you as soon as possible while you are still overwhelmed from the accident and have no idea what your case is worth. Their adjusters have one purpose in mind when they call you after an accident; settle the case and settle it cheap. Remember, you typically have two years from the date of your accident to file your claim. There is no reason to act until you’ve spoken to an experienced Oregon personal injury lawyer about the facts of your case. An experienced Oregon injury attorney will be able to take the information you give them and explain what would be a reasonable settlement amount.
Q7.How can I make it a fair fight against these giant insurance companies?
A7. Insurance companies are motivated by two things, money and the fear of losing it. They want to keep as much of your money as possible and they fear a big verdict. The only way you can level the playing field is by hiring an Oregon personal injury lawyer that files lawsuits and takes cases to trial. Insurance companies have no fear of lawyers that don’t file lawsuits. Once a lawsuit is filed they know that the clock is ticking and a trial is slowly approaching. If your case is strong, they will begin to fear what a jury might do. Insurance companies know which lawyers try cases and which don’t. If your case is strong and they know that your lawyer will take it to trial then you have increased their fear and they will begin to increase their offers.
It has been my experience that simply filing lawsuits can greatly increase the offers I receive for my clients.
Q8. All of these adjusters and lawyers make me nervous. How are you different?
A8. I understand that when most people read the paragraphs above and hear about filing a lawsuit and potentially going to trial they get anxious. It is unfortunate that large insurance companies force victims to walk this uncertain path to get full justice. Some lawyers don’t help matters. They don’t give you enough information or personal attention to ease your stress and anxiety. I try to inform my client about the process and relieve their anxiety. Only then can I effectively work with my clients to get the best results for their case.
Q9.How long will it take to resolve my case?
A9. The short answer is that it can take anywhere from several weeks to several years. Any lawyer can get you a settlement for far less than the value of your case and they can do it quickly. Insurance companies like nothing more than to quickly settle cases for peanuts. However, if you are injured and want to be treated fairly by the insurance