Being hurt in a motor vehicle accident can throw your life into disarray and leave you unsure of what to do next. At Johnson and Taylor, our experienced car accident lawyers in Salem, Oregon can help you navigate the claims process with confidence and pursue the compensation you deserve. Here, we discuss how our car accident attorneys help with your personal injury claim and ensure your rights are protected.

Understanding Oregon Liability Laws

Navigating a motor vehicle accident claim and the legal system in Oregon can be daunting, especially if you’re new to the process. Our personal injury lawyers help you understand how auto accident liability works in Oregon and how it may impact your case.

Oregon is an at-fault state, which means that the person responsible for a motor vehicle collision is typically liable for any injuries or damages they cause. However, Oregon law also follows the comparative negligence rule. This means that if you’re found partially at fault for a car or truck accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. That’s why you need our experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers in your corner, as insurance companies do anything they can to shift blame and pay as little as possible on claims.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Crash

After a car accident in Oregon, you’ll likely hear from insurance adjusters from the at-fault party’s insurer. Their job is to quickly settle claims for as little money as possible. Don’t let their friendly demeanor fool you – they are not looking out for your best interests and may twist your words to blame you for the crash and minimize the severity of your injuries.

Your motor vehicle accident attorney is familiar with the underhanded tactics insurers use and knows how to counter their claims. Your auto accident lawyer handles all communications with insurance companies and negotiates aggressively on your behalf.

We know how to determine what your claim is really worth, and we are well-versed in calculating complex damages such as future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Our car accident attorneys work closely with financial and medical experts to ensure we pursue the full amount of compensation you may be entitled to receive.

Gathering Evidence and Proving Fault

For an Oregon car accident claim to be successful, your attorney must gather relevant evidence and put it all together to determine fault and prove liability. Some vital evidence that helps our motor vehicle accident lawyers do this includes:

• Police reports
• Photographs from the scene of the crash
• Traffic camera and surveillance footage
• Written witness statements
• Information from the vehicle’s event data recorder (EDR)
• Cell phone records, which can be particularly useful in cases involving distracted driving
• Medical records

We also enlist the help of professionals like accident reconstruction experts who can determine how a crash happened. Our personal injury attorneys thoroughly investigate your case and create compelling arguments that show who was at fault, how they caused you harm, and the severity of your injuries and the impact they’ve had on your life. Your car accident lawyer can help you pursue injury-related medical costs, lost wages, emotional distress, loss of companionship and consortium, and other damages specific to your case.

Court Representation

Although most auto accident claims are settled out of court, sometimes filing a lawsuit is necessary. Our car accident attorneys are seasoned litigators who will take your case to trial if an insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement. It’s important to act fast after a crash, as you only normally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Some deadlines are much sooner than two years! Missing these deadlines can result in losing your right to recover compensation for damages.

Our motor vehicle accident attorneys ensure all important deadlines are met and prepare you for trial. We know how to present evidence, examine witnesses, and build compelling cases that get results for our clients. In many cases, filing a lawsuit brings insurers back to the negotiating table, and the claim is settled before the trial even begins.

Why Choose Our Salem Car Accident Lawyers?

Our car accident attorneys know that the road to recovery can be long, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Our compassionate and tenacious team is here for you. We tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. Your car accident lawyer won’t waste your time or money with empty promises about gigantic payouts like some law firms do. We stand by your side, handle any challenges that arise, and fight to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Our car accident attorneys offer free consultations and take cases on contingency, which means you won’t pay attorneys’ fees unless you are compensated.

Our car accident lawyers serve clients in Salem, Eugene, Bend, the Oregon Coast, Medford, and throughout the state of Oregon. In addition to litigating personal injury claims, our attorneys handle cases involving estate planning and probate (statewide) and divorce and family law (Marion, Linn, and Polk counties). Members of our team provide our Spanish-speaking clients with the quality legal representation they deserve.

Contact Our Auto Accident Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash, don’t wait to seek legal help. Our team at Johnson and Taylor is dedicated to making things right for injured victims and their families. To schedule a consultation with a car accident lawyer in Salem, Oregon, contact us or call 503-990-6641 today.