Portland Personal Injury Attorneys

Most Portland personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Instead, the attorney only gets paid if they win your case, typically taking a percentage of the final settlement or verdict. This ensures that injury victims can seek legal help without financial risk.

After an accident, your priority should be to seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor. Document the scene by taking photos, gathering witness contact information, and filing a police report if necessary. Then, consult with a personal injury lawyer in Portland to protect your rights and explore your legal options.

In Oregon, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. However, certain cases, like those involving government entities, may have shorter deadlines. It’s crucial to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss your chance to seek compensation.

Pain and suffering are non-economic damages that compensate you for the physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by your injuries. There isn't a fixed formula; instead, factors like the severity and duration of your pain, the impact on your daily life, and medical prognoses are considered. Often, attorneys and insurance companies use methods such as the multiplier method (multiplying your economic damages by a number between 1.5 and 5) or the per diem method (assigning a daily value to your pain from the injury date until maximum recovery). An experienced attorney helps you quantify these intangible losses.

Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partly responsible for the accident, as long as your fault is not greater than the combined fault of all other parties. If you are found to be 50% or less at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you're awarded $100,000 but were 20% at fault, you'd receive $80,000. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.

Not necessarily. Many personal injury cases are resolved through settlement negotiations with the at-fault party's insurance company, often without the need for a lawsuit. If a lawsuit is filed, cases can still settle before trial through mediation or arbitration. While our Portland personal injury lawyers are prepared to take your case to court if necessary to secure fair compensation, we always aim for the most efficient and beneficial resolution for you.

The timeline for a personal injury claim varies greatly depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of your injuries, and whether a settlement can be reached or if it proceeds to litigation. Simple cases with clear liability and minor injuries might settle in a few months. More complex cases involving serious injuries, extensive medical treatment, multiple parties, or disputes over fault could take one to three years, or even longer, especially if they go to trial. We work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while ensuring you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Yes, you can absolutely still file a personal injury claim even if you don't have health insurance. Your right to compensation for injuries caused by another's negligence is independent of your insurance status. If you don't have health insurance, your attorney can help you find medical providers who will treat you under a medical lien, meaning they agree to be paid directly from your eventual settlement or verdict. This ensures you get the necessary medical care without upfront costs. For a deeper dive into how Oregon's PIP coverage can specifically help manage these initial costs and more, explore our comprehensive guide.