Lake Oswego Car Accident Lawyer

Motor vehicle accidents can be physically and emotionally devastating. On top of the trauma of the collision, the financial losses that follow could hold you and your family back from life as you knew it before the crash. When someone else’s negligent actions caused your collision, you can demand the compensation you deserve by filing a claim with the insurance company and bringing your case to trial.

Going to court can seem intimidating, but your overwhelming medical expenses, loss of income, and financial distress may be even more foreboding. Do not get stuck covering these costs. Fight to have the liable party compensate you for the total value of your damages when you have a reputable Lake Oswego car accident lawyer from Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC working for you.

When you are ready to learn more about how the personal injury claims process works, do not hesitate to contact our law office to request a 100% free consultation.

We Need to Analyze the Type of Collision You Were Involved In

The type of motor vehicle accident you were involved in will help us determine who is at fault for the accident. For instance, if you were hit from behind, we would know to look at the following driver for liability. Some of the most common types of car accidents our clients have dealt with include:

Expert Help After a Car Accident in Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego Car Accident FAQ

Is Oregon a no-fault insurance state?

No, Oregon is not a no-fault insurance state. In no-fault insurance states, after being involved in a car accident, you would file a claim with your own insurance company since you are required to carry personal injury protection coverage. However, Oregon is not a no-fault insurance state.

Instead, we follow fault-based insurance laws according to the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Your insurance claim will be filed with the liable party’s insurance provider, as liable parties are expected to compensate victims for their damages. The insurance company will compensate you for a portion of your damages as described under the insured driver’s policy.

Will I receive punitive damages in my settlement?

It is difficult to say whether punitive damages may be appropriate in your Lake Oswego car accident case. According to ORS 31.725, punitive damages can be awarded in personal injury lawsuits, though it is a rare occurrence. This is because punitive relief generally only applies if the defendant was intentionally malicious, grossly negligent, or reprehensible in their actions.

The court system must find it necessary to further punish the defendant for their conduct. Punitive damages are meant to deter similar instances of gross negligence or maliciousness in the future. For instance, if the driver who hit you was under the influence of drugs at the time of the wreck, punitive damages could be issued. However, if the driver who hit you did so because their tire blew out, punitive damages would not be appropriate.

What do I do if I cannot afford to hire a Lake Oswego car accident attorney?

When you choose to work with Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, you can afford to hire a Lake Oswego car accident lawyer. Our legal team works for our clients on contingency agreements as outlined under ORS 20.340. Instead of requiring a retainer or hourly fee, we recognize that you have been through enough.

You should not have to put your personal finances on the line to demand justice. You need every penny you have to stay afloat during this difficult time in your life. For this reason, we cover every cost to pursue your case and only get paid if we win. If we do not recover compensation in your case, you do not pay anything for our efforts.

How long do I have to get my lawsuit filed?

The exact amount of time you have to file your lawsuit will depend on when the car accident occurred. Typically, under ORS 12.110(1), the statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits and personal injury claims expires two years from the accident date. If you missed this deadline, you may be barred from recovering the compensation you might have otherwise deserved.

There are some instances in which the statute of limitations could temporarily pause. This is commonly known as “tolling” the statute of limitations. However, this is only available in extenuating circumstances, such as delayed diagnoses, injuries to minor children, and liable parties who flee the state.

What are the most common causes of car accidents in Lake Oswego?

Identifying the cause of your car accident will be one of our most important responsibilities. We need to determine who is at fault for the accident so we can hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Once we know how the accident occurred, we will have a better idea of who should be brought to justice. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Lake Oswego include:

Claim a Free Consultation With Our Lake Oswego Car Accident Lawyer

Meet With a Reputable Car Accident Attorney in Lake Oswego for Help Today

Your car accident injuries may have had an impact on virtually every aspect of your life. Between your physical limitations, severe emotional distress, and staggering medical expenses or other financial losses, figuring out how you are going to get through these difficult times can be more than a little overwhelming. Fortunately, when you have the resources and support of a compassionate Lake Oswego car accident attorney from Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, you can get the insight and legal advice you need when you need it most.

This could be your best opportunity to make the liable party pay. Explore your legal options extensively when you contact our team to request a no-cost, risk-free consultation. You can reach us by phone or through our convenient contact form to start rebuilding your life as soon as today.