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Why should you hire Oregon Auto Accident Attorney Craig Hopkins?
I focus my practice on helping people who have been personally injured and the families of people who have been killed because of someone else's negligence. Injured people should talk with an attorney right away to learn about their rights. I have helped many people obtain payment for their injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
What sets me apart is not what I do, but how I do it. As a sole practitioner, I have the flexibility to choose my cases and spend the time to get to know my clients. Finding the right solution to a legal dilemma should be a collaborative effort. Often, there may be more than one avenue to resolve an issue. Each client's particular personal needs and concerns are taken into account in formulating a plan of action. I never take an assembly-line approach to my clients' personal injury and auto-accident claims.
Why I do what I do
I take pride in “fighting for the little guy.” I take cases I believe in for people I care about. Each case that I select is handled with extreme care and given the amount of time it needs and deserves.
I am genuinely interested in the welfare of my clients. I always try to do more than merely obtain a successful result in a particular case. I am certainly proud of the results I get and the speed with which I get them.
However, I am just as proud of the fact that I return all phone calls immediately and solve every problem I can, whether it is directly related to the case or not. I've maintained friendships with many of my clients long after I've won or settled their cases. My relationships with them are just as rewarding as my professional accomplishments on their behalf.
An experienced lawyer using knowledge to fight for injured people
I have achieved outstanding results for many people. Although each situation and case is different, it takes an injured person very little time to consult with an personal injury attorney to learn if he or she has a case. It is important to do this as soon as possible after an accident, so that evidence can be preserved and witnesses interviewed before their memories fade. Even if you do not have a case, I will take the time needed to evaluate your circumstances at no cost to you.
If you have been seriously injured, it is important to consult with an attorney (even if you don't end up hiring one) before talking to the insurance company of the person who caused the injury. There are many potential traps and pitfalls from dealing directly with an insurance adjuster. Injury victims often end up giving a recorded statement, agreeing to be examined by a company doctor, or signing a release for something for which they did not mean to sign a release. It is only later that they learn these things were not in their best interests.
NO VICTORY = NO ATTORNEY'S FEE
In addition to providing a free initial consultation, I charge no attorney's fee until I actually win or settle a case for an injured client. In short, it costs nothing to consult with an attorney about a personal injury.
Oregon Auto Accident Attorney
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to stop if I have an auto accident?
A:
Yes. In Oregon, the law says you must always stop after an accident. If you fail to stop and exchange information with the other driver or victim, you could be charged with crimes such as Hit and Run or Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver. You must call the police if someone was killed or injured. You must also exchange information with the other driver such as you name and driver's license number, the vehicle identification number of the car you were driving, the name and address of your insurance company and your insurance policy number.
Q: What do I do if someone is injured?
A: Oregon law requires you to give reasonable assistance to anyone who was injured. You may need to call an ambulance, personally take the injured person to a doctor or hospital, or give first aid if you know how. Try to warn other drivers of the accident. Flares, hazard lights and raising the hood of a car are good ways to warn passersby. Get help for anyone who is injured and try not to panic.
Q: What information should I get at the auto accident scene?
A: Be sure to get as much correct and complete information as you can at the scene of the accident. Exchange driver's licenses with the other driver. Make note of the other driver's name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver's license number and expiration date, and insurance company information. Write down the other car's year, make, model, license plate number and VIN. The name and personal information of the other car's legal and registered owner if the driver is not the owner. The names and contact information of any passengers or witnesses to the accident. Take pictures with your cell phone or camera if you have one. Draw a quick diagram of the scene and how the accident happened; memories fade. Make note of the time of day and weather conditions. DO NOT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION ABOUT WHO WAS TO BLAME FOR THE ACCIDENT. You may think you are in the wrong and then later learn that the other driver was as much or more to blame than you.
Q: Should I see a Doctor after the accident?
A: A physical examination should be conducted on both you and each of your passengers after an accident. You could be injured and not know it right away. In Oregon, your automobile insurance will pay some or all of these health care bills even if the accident was your fault.
Q: Is it worth contacting a lawyer about my injury?
A: Any injury is worth a free consultation with an attorney. I never charge a fee to briefly discuss your personal injury case. I can usually give you an estimate of what your case is worth after hearing the facts and type of injury you have suffered. Keep in mind that each case is different. DON'T AGREE TO A SETTLEMENT WITH AN INSURANCE COMPANY WITHOUT TALKING TO A LAWYER FIRST.
Q: Do I have to report the accident?
A: Yes. If someone is injured or killed, you must immediately call the police or sheriff. Secondly, report the accident to your insurance company. Ask your insurance company or insurance agent what forms you should fill out and to help you make other necessary reports on the accident. Third, each driver must report the accident to the DMV if the damage to either vehicle was $1,500 or more or if anyone was injured or killed.
Q: Who will pay for my automobile repairs?
A: The answer to this question depends on whose fault the accident was, whether you and the other driver have automobile insurance and what kind of insurance you have. There are two major types of automobile insurance:
- Liability Insurance: If you are to blame for the accident, your liability insurance will pay the other driver for property damage and personal injuries up to your policy's limits. If you are not at fault, the other driver's liability insurance pays for your car damage and personal injuries and will reimburse your insurance company for medical bills they may have initially paid.
- Collision Insurance: No matter who is at fault, your collision insurance pays for damages to your car, minus the policy deductible.
Q: Who will pay for my medical bills if I am injured?
A: Oregon requires automobile insurance policies to include Personal Injury Protection, or PIP for short. Your agent or insurance company will set up a "PIP Claim" for you and provide you with a claim number after you report the accident to them. Ask your doctor or medical provider to use this claim number and bill your automobile insurance for services. If it is determined that the accident was not your fault, your insurance company will seek reimbursement for any bill they have paid, from the at-fault driver's insurance company.
Q: What happens if the other driver does not have insurance?
A: If the other driver caused the accident and is not insured, your own policy will pay for your injuries under the PIP provision and for your personal injuries and pain and suffering if you have uninsured motorist coverage. If you have collision insurance, it will usually pay for the damage to your car, minus your deductible, no matter who was at fault.
Q: What if someone sues me?
A: You should contact your insurance company immediately. Your insurance company will assign a lawyer to represent you. If you are sued for more money than your policy covers, you may also need your own attorney. Insurance company lawyers will represent you with regard to personal injuries caused; not traffic citations or criminal charges such as drunk driving or hit and run.
Q: What if I want to make a claim for my injuries?
A: If the other driver was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your personal injuries, car damage and other expenses such as lost wages. If you had your own insurance at the time of the accident, you may also be able to sue for pain and suffering. It is best to contact an attorney right away if you plan to sue. There are time limits for filing various types of claims, so act quickly! The Hopkins Law Firm takes auto accident cases on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you do not pay attorney fees if we lose the case. If we win the case, you pay a percentage of the amount of money you get.
Oregon Personal Injury Attorney Stay Safe Advice
PROTECT YOURSELF!
Always wear a seatbelt.
Don't drink and drive.
Drive defensively.
Have adequate insurance coverage!
After an accident, report it to the DMV if someone is injured or killed or the damage to either car is $1,500 or more.
Make a claim with your insurance company following an accident.
See a doctor following an automobile accident.
Contact a lawyer if you are seriously injured! |
