There are many car accidents in Oregon every day. If you were in a crash, the most important things to do are seek medical assistance and speak to an automobile accident lawyer right away. Also, learn important things about auto accident cases below.
It is important to realize that car accident laws differ by state. In Oregon, there is a fault based system for car accidents. So, if the other driver caused the car accident, they have to pay for your damages.
Also, if you are partially at fault for a car accident in Oregon, your settlement can be reduced according to your degree of liability. So, if you were 30% at fault for an accident at an intersection, your settlement could be reduced by 30%. For example, if you have $10,000 in medical bills and property damage, you would only receive $7,000. This is different than other states such as Virginia, which has a contributory negligence system. This means if you are just 1% at fault for the accident, you will not receive a settlement.
Another important thing to remember is you should have your automobile accident lawyer negotiate for you with the insurance company. Whether it is your insurance company or the other driver’s, insurance companies are driven by profit. The adjuster will always want to pay you less, so it is best to have an experienced negotiator working for you.
Next, you should worry about what the attorney costs. All personal injury attorneys work on contingency. This means that you will not pay any up front legal fees. If the attorney gets you a settlement or award in court, they will take part of your compensation. The usual amount ranges from 33% to 40%. However, the attorney will always get you more money than you could get on your own, and the attorney will not take the case unless they are confident you can get money.
The next thing to remember is you should always hire a skilled automobile accident lawyer and not an attorney in another specialty. You should have an attorney who is used to negotiating car accident settlements and even going to court when necessary. The other driver’s insurance company will have skilled attorneys trying to reduce what they pay you, so your attorney should be extremely skilled and experienced.
Last, you should always file the car accident case as soon as you can. All states have a statute of limitations for when you can hire a car accident lawsuit. In Oregon, you have only two years to file your lawsuit. If you wait too long, you will not be able to file your suit. Also, your attorney should have as much time as possible to work on the case, so act quickly.
It also is very important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the car accident. Sometimes injured clients will wait several days until they start to feel pain and discomfort. If you wait to see a doctor, it may make it more difficult to get a fair settlement. The insurance company may argue that you were not seriously hurt. It is important have the doctor document your injuries quickly so you can have your automobile accident attorney start to negotiate a settlement.
When you remember these important aspects of your claim, you will be more likely to get the compensation you need to recover. Your automobile accident lawyer will get you the most money if you remember these points and stick to them throughout your claim.
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