1. What should I do right after an accident?
Sheldon Aronson's Traffic Accident Guide offers tips and helpful advice on what to do in the event you've been in a motor vehicle accident. Print it, review it, and place it in your glove box for easy access should you ever need to reference it.
2. Do I have to talk to a representative from the other driver’s insurance company?
No you are not legally required to talk to someone from the other driver’s insurance company. Since that representative is not your friend, and s/he is not looking out for your best interests, you are wise to respectfully decline talking with him or her.
3. Why should I hire an Attorney?
Among other reasons: With an attorney, you will be better protected and more likely get a better result (including more money) than if you represent yourself. In addition, and most importantly, an attorney can lift the burden and stress of the claims process off your shoulders, allowing you time and energy to heal from your injuries and trauma.
4. What will it cost me to hire an attorney?
You do not pay me an attorney fee unless I get a recovery for you, either by way of settlement or litigation. I always do an initial consultation at no cost and no obligation.
5. How long will it take for my claim to be resolved?
Every case is different. It largely depends on when you heal from your injuries and your doctor releases you from care. In each case, once you are released from care, we try to resolve a case as quickly, economically, and with as little stress for you as possible.
6. How will my medical bills get paid if I am injured in a motor vehicle collision?
If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision, and you have an Oregon auto insurance policy, you automatically have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) as part of your coverage. Here PIP is the first or primary insurance for your injuries, regardless of fault, and they will pay your accident related medical bills.
7. Can I be compensated for my wage loss?
Depending on the facts of your case, how much time and pay you lost at work, and if the time loss was consecutive or broken up, you could qualify for wage loss compensation before final resolution of your case. If your wage loss is not so covered, you can potentially recover wage loss as part of your claim against the at-fault party.
8. Are there any Deadlines for my case?
The Oregon statute of limitations for a personal injury case is generally 2 years. This means that you must settle your case or file a lawsuit within two years of the date of being injured, or you could be forever barred from recovering any money for your injuries and damages. Note, in addition to the statute of limitations, there could be other applicable deadlines in your case.
9. What is a Diminished Value (DV) claim?
A DV claim means a claim for the amount of the reduced retail resale value of your car or motorcycle as a result of a collision. For example, if you are involved in a collision and your car is repaired, even to your satisfaction, you will not be able to sell that car for the same price as if it had not been in a collision. If as a result of the collision, your car has gone down in value by a certain amount, under Oregon law you can make a claim for that amount.
10. What if I am at Fault?
If you think you are at-fault, speak to a representative of your own auto insurance company, and let them know what happened. As part of the insurance protection you pay for, your insurance company is there to protect and defend you when you are at-fault.
