Portland Car Accident Lawyer

You're driving down Burnside Street, enjoying the view of the Willamette River, when suddenly another car slams into yours. In the blink of an eye, your peaceful Portland day turns into a nightmare of twisted metal, blaring sirens, and a whole lot of uncertainty.

If you've been in a car crash in Portland, you're probably feeling overwhelmed. Trust me, you're not alone. Every year, thousands of people in our city face the same scary situation. That's where a Portland car accident lawyer comes in handy. They're like your personal guide through the mess that follows a car accident, fighting for your rights and helping you make sense of all the legal stuff.

In this page, we're going to break down everything you need to know about working with a Portland car accident lawyer. We'll cover when you might need one, how they can help, and what to expect from the whole legal process here. Whether you're a longtime Portlander or just passing through, this information will help you navigate the road ahead after a car accident.

Let's be real—car accident cases can be a real headache. You might think it's as simple as two car accident attorneys exchanging insurance info and moving on, but there's often a lot more to it:

• Maybe there were multiple cars involved
• Perhaps it's not clear who's at fault
• You might be dealing with some serious injuries that'll take a while to heal
• And let's not forget about those insurance companies that seem to speak a language all their own

This is where a Portland car accident lawyer becomes your best friend. They know all the ins and outs of Oregon's traffic laws, they speak "insurance," and they know their way around our local courts. Having someone like that in your corner can make a world of difference.

After an accident, you'll have to deal with insurance companies. Now, don't get me wrong—there are some great people working in insurance. But at the end of the day, their job is to save their company money, which often means trying to pay you as little as possible.

Insurance adjusters are like master negotiators. They might try to get you to accept a quick settlement that sounds good at first but doesn't cover all your needs in the long run.

A car accident lawyer in Portland can:

• Handle all those annoying phone calls and emails from the insurance company
• Look over settlement offers to make sure you're not getting shortchanged
• Negotiate to get you a better deal
• Take your case to court if the insurance company won't play fair

Here's maybe the best reason to hire a Portland car accident lawyer: it lets you focus on what's really important—getting better. While you're resting up, going to doctor's appointments, or figuring out how to manage at work with your injuries, your lawyer is handling all the legal stuff. It's like having a weight lifted off your shoulders during an already stressful time.

Here's a rundown of some common injuries we see:

1. Whiplash: This is super common, especially in rear-end collisions. It might not seem bad at first, but it can cause neck pain and stiffness for months.
2. Broken bones: From fractured ribs to broken arms, these injuries can really put a damper on your daily life.
3. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): These can be really scary. Even a "mild" concussion can have lasting effects.
4. Spinal cord injuries: These are some of the most serious injuries we see. They can lead to partial or complete paralysis.
5. Internal organ damage: Sometimes, the worst injuries are the ones you can't see from the outside.
6. Cuts and lacerations: While these might seem minor, they can lead to serious scarring or infections if not treated properly.
7. Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears can be painful and take a long time to heal.
8. Burns: If the accident leads to a fire or chemical spill, burns can be a serious concern.
9. Psychological trauma: Don't forget about the mental health impacts. Many people deal with PTSD, anxiety, or depression after a serious accident.
10. Neck and back injuries: From herniated discs to spinal fractures, these can cause long-term pain and mobility issues.

Always get checked out by a doctor after an accident, even if you feel okay. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, might not be obvious right away but can be really serious if left untreated.

Okay, so you've just been in an accident. Your heart's racing, your mind's spinning, and you're not sure what to do next. Here's a quick rundown of immediate steps:

1. Check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone's hurt, call 911.
2. If it's safe, move to the side of the road. No need to make Portland's traffic worse!
3. Exchange info with the other driver(s). Get their name, contact details, insurance info, and license plate number.
4. Document everything. Take pictures of the damage, the overall scene, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, get their contact info too.
5. See a doctor, even if you feel fine. Some injuries like to play hide and seek.

Now, you might be wondering, "Do I really need a lawyer for this?" While it's always a good idea to at least chat with one after an accident, there are some situations where it's especially important:

• If someone was seriously hurt or, worst case, killed in the accident
• If it's not clear who caused the accident
• If there are multiple vehicles involved
• If a commercial truck was involved
• If you're feeling confused about your rights or the whole claims process
• If the insurance company is pushing you to settle quickly

Remember, at Moseley Collins Law, we offer free consultations. We're happy to chat and point you in the right direction, even if we end up not being the right fit for your case. Just keep in mind that we can't give specific legal advice unless we're officially representing you.

One of the most important things a car accident lawyer does is gather evidence to support your case. Think of them as your personal investigator. Here's what they'll do:

• Get their hands on police reports
• Track down witnesses and get their stories
• Collect and analyze photos and videos of the crash scene
• Work with accident reconstruction experts to figure out exactly what happened
• Go through your medical records

At Moseley Collins Law, we take this a step further. We don't just hire one medical expert—we bring in a whole team of them. We have different specialists review your records to make sure we catch every detail. It's like having a medical dream team on your side.

Oregon has this thing for auto accidents, called "modified comparative negligence." In simple terms, it means you can still get compensation as long as you're not more than 50% at fault for the accident. A good Portland car accident lawyer knows how to navigate this rule to protect your right to compensation.

Your lawyer will help figure out how much your case is really worth. This isn't just about your current medical bills. They'll look at:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

Insurance companies have their own way of doing things. They might try to settle quickly and cheaply. Your Portland car accident lawyer is like a translator who speaks fluent "insurance." They'll negotiate on your behalf, aiming for a fair settlement that actually covers all your needs.

If the insurance company won't play ball, your lawyer will be ready to take your case to court. They'll handle all the legal matters, from filing the lawsuit to representing you at trial. It's like having a champion in your corner.

When it comes to car accidents in Portland, we at Moseley Collins Law don't mess around. We know these cases can be tricky, with lots of moving parts. That's why we've got a tried-and-true approach to figuring out exactly what went down. Here's a peek behind the curtain at how we tackle these cases:

First things first - we sit down with you and hear your side of the story. We want all the details, even the ones you might think aren't important. What were you doing right before the crash? What did you see, hear, or feel? How has this turned your life upside down? Your account is the starting point for our whole investigation.

If we can, we'll head out to where the accident happened. Sometimes, we spot things that didn't make it into the official reports. We might measure skid marks, check out the road conditions, or spot a traffic camera we didn't know about. It's amazing what you can pick up when you're actually there.

We'll gather all the official documents related to your accident. We're talking police reports, accident reports, and any tickets that were handed out. These papers often have crucial details that can make or break a case.

If anyone saw the accident happen, we want to talk to them. Witnesses can provide details that you might have missed in the heat of the moment. We'll interview them carefully, making sure we don't miss any important information.

We'll look into the other driver's history. Have they been in accidents before? Do they have a record of traffic violations? This kind of info can be really helpful in building your case.

Sometimes, we need to call the experts. We might work with:

• Accident reconstruction specialists who can piece together exactly how the crash happened
• Medical experts who can explain your injuries in detail
• Engineers who can tell us if there was something wrong with one of the cars
• Financial experts who can calculate how much money you've lost because of the accident

These experts help us build a rock-solid case that's hard to argue with.

We'll go through your medical bills carefully. We're not just looking at what you've already paid - we're thinking about future costs too. Physical therapy, follow-up surgeries, medication - we want to make sure all of it's covered.

We'll also calculate how much work you've missed and how much you might miss in the future. If you can't do the same job you did before, we'll factor that in too.

We know all the tricks insurance companies use to try and pay out less. We'll handle all the back-and-forth with them, making sure they don't take advantage of you.

Using all the info we've gathered, we can piece together a detailed picture of what happened if neccessary. We might use diagrams, 3D models, or even animations to show exactly how the accident went down. This can be super helpful if we need to explain things to a judge or jury.

Throughout this whole process, we'll keep you updated on what we're finding. We know this is your case, and you deserve to know what's going on. We'll explain everything in plain English - no legal jargon here.

Even when we think we've got everything figured out, we keep our eyes and ears open. Sometimes new information pops up late in the game, and we're always ready to adjust our strategy if needed.

At Moseley Collins Law, we leave no stone unturned when investigating car accident cases. We know that the more thoroughly we do our job, the better chance you have of getting the compensation you deserve. It's not just about winning cases - it's about making sure our clients get treated fairly after going through such a tough experience.

When you're looking for a lawyer, experience is key. You want someone who's been handling car accidents cases for years. At Moseley Collins Law, we've got over 40 years of experience helping clients across multiple states. That means we've seen it all and know how to handle even the trickiest cases.

While we can't guarantee specific results (no lawyer can), it's a good idea to look at a lawyer's track record. At Moseley Collins Law, we're proud to say we've won millions for our clients over the years. But here's the thing—we don't rest on our achievements. We treat each case as unique and fight just as hard for every client.

Many good car accident lawyers, including us at Moseley Collins Law, offer free initial consultations. This is your chance to sit down, discuss your case, and see if you click with the lawyer.

In a car accident case, there are different types of financial compensation you might be able to get:

1. Economic damages: This is the stuff you can put a price tag on, like:
   • Medical bills
   • Lost wages
   • Property damage
   • Cost of future care
2. Non-economic damages: This is the harder-to-quantify stuff, including:
   • Pain and suffering
   • Emotional distress
   • Loss of enjoyment of life

Several things can influence how much compensation you might receive:

• How bad your injuries are
• How the accident has affected your ability to work
• Who was at fault
• The limits of the insurance policies involved
• How strong your evidence is

A skilled Portland car accident lawyer will work hard to your car accident claim and maximize your compensation based on all these factors.

Here's a list of local police stations in Portland where you can file an accident report:

1. Portland Police Bureau
2. Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

Portland is home to several top-notch hospitals and other medical treatment centers. Some of the major ones include:

1. Oregon Health & Science University Hospital
2. Legacy Emanuel Medical Center
3. Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center

Remember, it's crucial to get checked out by a doctor after an accident, even if you feel fine. Some injuries can take days or even weeks to show symptoms.

Let's talk numbers for a minute. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation's 2020 Oregon Traffic Crash Summary:

• There were 41,185 traffic crashes in Oregon in 2020
• These crashes resulted in 507 fatalities and 27,566 injuries
• Multnomah County (where Portland is located) had the highest number of crashes of any county in Oregon

Now, these are more than just numbers. Each one represents a real person whose life was affected by a car accident. It's a sobering reminder of why it's so important to drive safely and know what to do if you're in an accident.

At Moseley Collins Law, we're proud to serve car accident victims throughout the Portland metro area. Whether you're in the heart of downtown or out in the suburbs, we've got your back. Here's a rundown of some of the areas we cover:

• Downtown Portland: From the Pearl District to the South Waterfront, we know every street and intersection.
• Northwest Portland: Including the trendy Nob Hill area and Forest Park.
• Northeast Portland: Covering Alberta Arts District, Hollywood, and beyond.
• Southeast Portland: From Hawthorne to Sellwood, we've got SE Portland covered.
• Southwest Portland: Including Hillsdale, Multnomah Village, and the surrounding areas.
• Beaverton: Our neighbors to the west are well within our service area.
• Hillsboro: Home to many of Portland's tech workers, we serve Hillsboro too.
• Gresham: Portland's eastern neighbor is definitely in our wheelhouse.
• Lake Oswego: This beautiful suburb south of Portland is part of our service area.
• Tigard: Just southwest of Portland, Tigard residents can count on us.
• Tualatin: A bit further south, but still well within our service range.
• Oregon City: One of Oregon's oldest cities, and one we're happy to serve.
• West Linn: This charming city along the Willamette is part of our coverage area.
• Milwaukie: Home of the famous Bob's Red Mill, and within our service area.
• Happy Valley: This growing suburb east of Portland is covered too.
• Troutdale: Known as the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, we serve Troutdale as well.
• Wood Village: This small city east of Portland is within our service area.
• Fairview: Another East Portland suburb we're happy to serve.
• Gladstone: Just south of Milwaukie, Gladstone is covered too.

No matter where in the Portland area your vehicle accident has happened, we're here to help. Our team of experienced car accident lawyers knows the local roads, the local laws, and the local court system. We're ready to put that knowledge to work for you.

Let's face it – getting into a car accident is nobody's idea of a good time. It can turn your world upside down in an instant. One minute you're cruising down I-5, maybe heading to a Blazers game or a hike in Forest Park, and the next minute you're dealing with injuries, medical bills, and insurance companies that seem to speak a different language.

So if you've been in a serious car accident in Portland, don't go it alone. Give us a call at 800-426-5546 for a free consultation. We'll sit down with you, listen to your story, and give you our honest opinion about your case. Even if we end up not being the right fit for you, we'll do our best to point you in the right direction.

Remember, at Moseley Collins Law, we're more than just your lawyers – we're your neighbors, your fellow Portlanders, and your advocates. We're here to help you navigate this challenging time and work towards the best possible outcome for your case.

Don't let a car accident derail your life. With the right legal support, you can overcome this challenge and move forward. Let's tackle this together, Portland style – with determination, compassion, and maybe a little help from a good cup of coffee.

Stay safe out there, Portland. But if the unexpected happens, know that we've got your back.