Personal Injury & Car Accidents

OREGON AND WASHINGTON PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY:

If you have been injured because of the negligent actions of another person or company, like from a car accident, you have a personal injury claim.  Handling a personal injury claim can be confusing, overwhelming, and time consuming.

Our experienced and dedicated personal injury team will assist you through the complicated claims and insurance process.  We handle cases in all of Oregon and Washington and we make sure you know your rights.  We help to get you the best settlement or verdict for your case.  We have helped thousands of accident victims, and have reached individual settlements over $1,000,000.00.

If you have been hurt through the fault of someone else, please call us to schedule a free consultation with no upfront costs.  Your attorneys’ fees are paid when we get you results.

CAR CRASHES

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CAR CRASHES AND INJURY LAW IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON

Every year, three million people are injured in car crashes in the United States, and more than 100 people die every day.  There are tens of thousands of crashes in Washington and in Oregon caused by distracted drivers, cell phone usage, speeding, drivers following too closely, disobeying traffic laws, reckless driving, or drunk drivers.  These crashes caused by the negligence of someone else, leave the injured victims with harms and losses, and the disruption of their daily lives.   Injured victims are entitled to compensation for their harms and losses as a result of these car crashes.  Victims may be entitled to recover losses from:

  • Medical expenses
  • Loss of wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain and suffering
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Towing
  • Damage to their property

DETERMINING LIABILITY

Determining who has liability for a car accident, or who was negligent in Oregon or Washington can be a complicated legal question and is often disputed.

Sometimes there may be more than one person who is negligent and share liability.  If there is shared liability, Oregon laws will allow injured parties to recovery losses under its comparative negligence laws, and Washington will allow injured parties to recovery losses under its contributory negligence laws.

If you have been in a collision, call 911.  Also, it is important to gather as much information at the scene of the accident including the identification and contact of the drivers involved, insurance information, witness identification and contact information, photographs of the scene and all of the vehicles at the scene.

CAR INSURANCE

Available car insurance coverages offered to Oregon and Washington drivers typically include “First-party” insurance that will protect you and your family if you are in an accident, and “Third-party”  liability coverage that a negligent driver has under his/her policy to compensate an injured party.

DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE THAT WILL PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

“First-party” insurance is your own insurance policy/contract that you have purchased for your benefit and protection.   “First-party” insurance may include:

  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP): covers medical expenses up to a certain amount of your policy for you and your passengers regardless of who is at fault;
  • Collision: covers your damage to your own vehicle (after the amount of your deductible);
  • Rental: covers a rental car if you need a car rental until your vehicle damage is resolved;
  • Uninsured/Under Insured Motorist (UM/UIM): covers you if a negligent driver does not have insurance, or does not have enough insurance to compensate you for your injuries.
  • Uninsured/Under Insured Motorist (UM/UIM) for Property Damage: covers your vehicle and property damage if a negligent driver does not have insurance, or does not have enough insurance to compensate you for your losses.

“Third-party” insurance is Liability insurance that the negligent driver may have to compensate injured victims for bodily injury and property damage.  Liability insurance is important because if you are at fault, instead of paying out of your own pocket, your Liability insurance can be used to compensate an injured party.

Every driver should check their “First-party” and “Third-party” insurance coverage, and should check the policy amount to make sure you and your family are protected in case there is a car accident.

MEDICAL COVERAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION (PIP) UNDER MY CAR INSURANCE?

Depending on your state, you may have car insurance that will cover medical expenses.  For example, if you have an Oregon car insurance policy, you will have a minimum of up to $15,000.00 of medical coverage, or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) available to you.  You may have purchased a policy that has more. This PIP coverage, required for all Oregon drivers, covers medical expenses up to your policy amount for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.

In Washington, a Washington driver may reject PIP in writing by signing a rejection with your insurance company.  Many drivers do not know they have rejected this important coverage until it is too late.  All Washington drivers should check with their insurance company to make sure they have this coverage.

WHAT IF THE NEGLIGENT DRIVER DOESN’T HAVE INSURANCE OR DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH INSURANCE?

Though every driver on the road is required to have car insurance, unfortunately not every driver follows this requirement.  If the victim protects themselves with Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) through their own insurance, the victim can seek compensation through their own UM/UIM.

If you are an Oregon driver who has purchased car insurance, you will have a UM/UIM policy of at least a minimum of $25,000 to help cover your losses from a car crash caused by someone else.  You may have a higher amount, depending on what coverage of insurance you purchased.

In Washington, however, UM/UIM is not automatically part of your car insurance when you purchase insurance.  A Washington driver may reject UM/UIM in writing by signing a rejection with the insurance company when signing up for insurance.  Many drivers do not know they have rejected this important coverage until it is too late.  All Washington drivers should check with their insurance company to make sure they have this coverage.

HOW CAN OUR CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER HELP?

Oregon and Washington have significant and complicated laws that govern personal injury laws, negligence, car insurance laws, how and when insurance is available to victims of car accidents, and how to prove an injured party should receive compensation.

Handling a personal injury claim on your own can be more stressful than you think, and you will not recover what you deserve.  Insurance companies are not on your side to make sure you get what you deserve.  Our experienced legal team will protect your legal rights, and will handle all communication, extensive paperwork, build your case, assist you through the stressful process, and will maximize the best outcome for you.  If necessary, our legal team is prepared to go to trial to fight for you.

CAR ACCIDENTS

If you’ve been injured in an accident, making sure to protect your rights early is critical to protecting your future. Medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering result from accidents, many of which are not apparent when you are first injured. Suppose you have been injured as a result of someone else’s actions or are working with an insurance company for the compensation of injuries you have received. In that case, you owe it to yourself and your future to consult with an attorney first.

At Wheeler, Montgomery & Boyd Law Offices, our attorneys will schedule a free consultation with you to discuss the process of insurance and damage claims and what kinds of errors you need to watch out for to avoid problems in the future. No matter how minor your injuries appear at first, or how much you want to settle things quickly and get on with your life, meeting with an attorney when you have been injured is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family from long term problems and pain. Our personal injury attorneys can help you determine what steps to take and the pitfalls to watch out for when settling insurance claims.

MEDICAL BILLS

If you have been injured in a car crash, even minor injuries at the time can have a sizable financial effect. Being transported in an ambulance, seen in an ER or a doctor’s office, and the recovery process can all add up. Dealing with insurance companies (whether your own or the other driver’s insurance) often can take months, but the bills for your injury come right away. That’s why our attorneys work with your medical providers directly, to make sure your bills are covered and you don’t have to come up with money out-of-pocket before your injury case resolves. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced in working with all major medical providers to minimize your bills, prevent medical liens or past-due medical bills from affecting your credit, and negotiating down medical payments to save more money for your recovery.

Call our office today to schedule a no-obligation appointment to discuss your injury case and see if we can help you. Our firm focuses on providing the best information, assistance, and representation to Vancouver citizens who have been injured in an accident. You should never settle a personal injury claim until you have met with an experienced Washington personal injury attorney to discuss your case first.

PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

Whether you are a pedestrian trying to safely cross the street, a jogger, a parent with a stroller, or a bicyclist, we all want to feel safe on the roadway and safe from cars and trucks.  Unfortunately, pedestrians and bicyclist are involved in motor vehicle crashes every year and suffer serious injuries.  These crashes are often caused by:

  • Distracted drivers
  • Drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way
  • Speeding drivers
  • Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Driving in a bike lane
  • Drivers who fail to pay attention to crosswalks
  • Drivers who do not follow the rules of the road
  • Defective or obstructed roadways

Pedestrian and bicycle accidents can be traumatizing.  To make things worse, insurance companies can be quick to blame the pedestrian or the bicyclist, and they do not want to take responsibility for the injured victims.  Investigation is important in proving negligence of the driver.  In addition, injured pedestrians and bicyclists who suffer from a motor vehicle crash want to know how their medical bills will get paid, what happens if they have wage loss or cannot return to work, and how to receive compensation against the negligent party or driver.  Our Pedestrian and Bicycle lawyers in Oregon and Washington will assist you in these stressful and complicated legal claims.

If you are a pedestrian or bicyclist who has suffered injuries from a motor vehicle accident, contact our Pedestrian and Bicycle lawyers in Oregon and Washington.

WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON

In Oregon and Washington, when a person dies because of the negligent, wrongful act of another, a wrongful death claim can be made against the at-fault party.  Loved ones and family members may have a right to make a wrongful death claim under the laws in Oregon and Washington.

Like other types of personal injury cases, it is required to prove the injury or death was caused by the wrongful act or negligence of another.  Wrongful death cases can be complex, and obtaining evidence is necessary, but can be difficult.  Obtaining relevant photographs, video, eyewitnesses, records, and any other information is crucial in determining whether the death was caused by the wrongful act or negligence of another.

Call our experienced wrongful death attorney licensed in both Oregon and Washington, to assist you with these complicated cases.

TRUCKING ACCIDENTS

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a semitruck accident or commercial vehicle accident, you may have a claim against the trucking company or corporation who employs the negligent driver.  Trucking accidents are often caused by distracted, tired, careless, or impaired truck drivers who do not follow the rules of the road.  Trucking accidents may also be caused by poorly trained drivers or employees, or the trucking companies’ or corporations’ indifference to safety of others.

Handling a personal injury claim for injuries from a trucking accident or commercial vehicle is different than handling other motor vehicle accidents.  For example, different federal and state laws may apply in trucking accidents, the investigation may require particular experts, determining the correct jurisdiction and at-fault companies is critical, and investigating the company records, truck company and driver’s records, qualifications and credentials, as well as the trucking logs, are important in trucking accidents.

Schedule a free consultation to talk to our experienced Washington and Oregon attorneys about your trucking accident.

SLIPS AND FALLS, PREMISE LIABILITY CLAIMS

If you have slipped or fallen and are hurt because of a dangerous condition on a property or at a business, you may have a personal injury claim against the owners of the property or business, or the individuals, company, or organization who caused the dangerous condition.  You will need to report your fall immediately and obtain the name of the individuals, company, or organization who took a report, identify witnesses and contacts, investigate the dangerous condition and the premises, and take photographs of the dangerous condition.

Injuries caused by slips or falls on a premise can be serious.  Premise liability personal injury claims are complex.  An injured person must overcome the legal element that the individual, property owner, or business owner has a duty to the injured person, and then show they are responsible and liable to compensate you for injuries. Depending whether the slip or fall happened in Oregon or Washington, there may be deadlines and notice requirements.

Schedule a free consultation to talk to our experienced Washington and Oregon attorneys about your personal injury claim.

ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN CONCUSSIONS AND OTHER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries are a serious public health concern, resulting in disability for thousands of people every year, and sometimes death.  Motor vehicle crashes and falls are two major causes of concussion and other traumatic brain injuries.

Concussion and other traumatic brain injuries are serious injuries. The Center for Disease Control states traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, are caused by “a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain.”  https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html

A jolt to the head does not mean that an individual’s head must strike an object, and often times, injured persons in motor vehicle accidents may not understand they are suffering from a concussion or other traumatic brain injury.  Some symptoms may include:

  • Difficulty thinking clearly
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Memory issues
  • Feeling slowed down
  • Noise or light sensitivity
  • Emotional or irritable

It is important to see your medical provider as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms and whether you are suffering from a traumatic brain injury.

For more information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a great source of information for injured victims from a motor vehicle collision or fall.  https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/symptoms.html.

Schedule a free consultation to talk to our experienced Washington and Oregon attorneys about your personal injury claim.

DOG BITE INJURIES

Dog attacks can be traumatic and cause injuries including:

  • Face Injuries
  • Scarring
  • Lacerations
  • Puncture wounds
  • Nerve damage
  • Head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Avulsion
  • Emotional trauma
  • Rabies, Tetanus, or Infection
  • Neck injuries
  • Death
  • Other injuries

It is crucial you discuss your legal options right away.  Call and schedule a free consultation with our experienced attorney licensed in both Oregon and Washington to assist you with these complicated cases.