What kind of cases do you handle?

• We handle cases involving car accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, product liability, and more. If you aren’t sure if we handle your type of case, please reach out for a free consultation and we can discuss your case.

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What counties do you cover?

• We are licensed in the State of Oregon and we handle matters all over the state. 

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How do personal injury lawyers get paid? What is a contingency fee agreement?

• Our office represents personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee arrangement is where an attorney will represent someone without charging any attorney fees up front. Instead of charging an hourly rate, we receive a portion of the money we recover for you. We only get paid if we recover money for you, so we have a great incentive to work hard on your case, and to maximize your recovery. 

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What do I do if I’ve been injured through no fault of my own?

• If you have been injured and it was not your fault, you should consider speaking with an attorney to learn about your rights in that situation. We offer free consultations to discuss your case. 

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How soon do I need to contact a lawyer? 

• The sooner, the better. Hiring a lawyer early helps ensure that insurance companies don’t take advantage of you. We handle the communication so you can focus on getting better. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

• In Oregon, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is two (2) years. So, if you were injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or other type of personal injury matter, you typically have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Once a statute of limitations passes, your claims may be barred, so it is important to speak with an attorney before that occurs. 

• Our office is experienced in preparing and filing lawsuits at the last-minute. If your case is approaching the two-year mark, contact us immediately to schedule a consultation. 

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What can I recover?

• You can recover for nearly everything related to the accident. Recovery is split into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, wage loss, and out-of-pocket expenses, among other things. Non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. The idea is that you should be “made whole” – or, said another way, you should be in the same or better position as before the accident occurred. We fight hard to maximize your recovery. 

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What does a personal injury attorney do?

• A personal injury attorney wears many hats. At the most basic level, we handle the legal stuff so you don’t need to worry about it. This means we deal with the insurance companies, adverse parties, lawyers, and more, so you can focus on getting the treatment you need to recover. 

• While you’re still receiving treatment for your injuries, we keep the insurance adjusters informed, and we make sure they take your case seriously. When you’re fully recovered, or “medically stationary”, we negotiate with the at-fault parties or their insurance carrier to get you the most we can for your injuries. If we are unable to settle your case because offers were too low, we file lawsuits and represent you through that entire process. 

• If a lawsuit is filed, we work hard to prepare your case for trial or arbitration. All the while, we continue to negotiate to see if a settlement can be reached. If settlement is not reached, we take the case all the way through trial or arbitration for you. 

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Should I hire a personal injury attorney?

• If you were injured and it was someone else’s fault, you probably should hire an attorney. We offer free consultations to discuss your rights, and to determine if we’re a good fit to work together. 

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What should I expect in a free consultation?

• You should expect to discuss your case, share details about the incident, and ask questions about the attorney’s experience and potential legal strategies. We typically schedule free consultations for a 30-minute time slot, but we are happy to talk more if appropriate.  

• You should expect to feel heard, respected, and valued. This is a safe space for everyone.

• You should expect confidentiality – what we talk about is protected and will not be shared with third-parties.

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How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?

• It is free to hire us. We only get paid if you recover for your injuries. 

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How often should I hear from my personal injury attorney?

• There’s no set rule for how often you should hear from your attorney. That said, you should never feel like you can’t get a hold of your attorney if you’re trying to reach them. We check in periodically to see how you’re feeling and to see if you have any questions you would like to discuss. If you ever have any questions, you’re encouraged to reach out to us. 

 

Dealing with Insurance

Does an accident affect my health insurance coverage? 

• It shouldn’t affect your health insurance coverage. You pay for insurance so it’s there when you need it; needing to use it should not be a problem.

Will my car insurance rates go up if I file a claim?

• Car insurance rates go up periodically, regardless of what you do. If you’re involved in an accident and it wasn’t your fault, that should not affect your insurance rates. 

What is personal injury protection (PIP)?

• PIP coverage is a type of insurance coverage that is meant to cover your medical bills up to two years after an accident. When you seek treatment, make sure the treatment providers are sending the bill to your PIP carrier for payment. You pay for this coverage, so you might as well use it. 

What if the other driver had no insurance? What if the other driver had insufficient insurance?

• When we purchase auto insurance, our policies have something called “Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage” for exactly this type of situation. We start by maximizing your recovery against the at-fault parties. Once those sources are exhausted, if you did not recover enough for your injuries, we can pursue a claim under your insurance policy for additional recovery. 

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Settlement and Trial

How often do personal injury lawsuits go to trial?

• Not very often. Most cases are resolved before trial. 

What happens if I lose my case?

• If we are unable to recover any money for your case, you do not need to pay us any attorney fees. You may still be responsible for expenses, but we are careful to keep these to a minimum. 

How are pain and suffering damages calculated?

• There is no set formula for calculating non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. The more we know about your case, the better we can advocate for you, so it is important to tell us how the accident has affected your life. 

 

If you were injured through no fault of your own, contact us today to schedule a free consultation!