Portland Auto Accident Attorney
Handling a personal injury claim is challenging.
An experienced Oregon personal injury Attorney will help level the playing field.
The insurance company is telling you what they want you to do, but they are on the other side and you don't know what to do. What is to stop them from taking advantage of you? The only way to make sure you get a fair settlement for your Oregon personal injury claim is to contact an Oregon lawyer who focuses on personal injury cases. The right lawyer can make the difference between being financially devastated and being able to take care of your family's future.
Insurance companies do not give money away.
The only way to get fair compensation for your injuries is to force them to pay you. The only thing that makes insurance companies pay is the threat of a big jury verdict. If you want to get a fair amount, you need an Oregon personal injury attorney who is not afraid to go to trial to get you what you deserve.
An experienced Oregon trial lawyer can make all the difference.
Most Portland personal injury lawyers rarely if ever try cases. They settle for whatever the insurance companies say they have to settle for. In my opinion, they are doing their clients a great disservice. I do not take a personal injury case unless I am willing to try it to a jury. I have tried over 125 jury trials and I am not afraid to let a jury decide what your case is worth. The difference between the insurance offer and jury verdict has been many hundreds of thousands of dollars for my clients.
These are just a few examples of how insurance companies refused to pay a fair amount, but a jury forced them to. What would have happened to my clients if they hired a lawyer who did not try cases?
Get personal attention.
If I take a case, I make sure I am willing to do it right. I do not run a high volume “mill”, passing off my cases to inexperienced associates or a team of paralegals. I make sure I have time to devote to every case and I make a point of staying on top of all of my cases to make sure they are headed in the right direction. I start preparing your case for trial from the day it comes through the door until the day it settles or goes to trial. This is a lot of work, but the only way to make sure you get the most for your personal injury claim.
Less stress, less hassle, and more money.
If you hire me, you are done talking to the insurance companies. You only job is to keep my legal assistant and I updated on your medical treatment. We take care of the rest so you can focus on getting better. You can quit worrying about whether or not the insurance company is taking advantage of you and start getting on with your life. I am also convinced that you get considerably more money, even after my fees. I have handled many hundreds of Oregon personal injury cases and I have seen the offers that some of my clients received before hiring me. In virtually every case, I have significantly increased the amount that ended up in their pocket.
Portland Personal Injury Lawyer
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it some important to hire a trial lawyer?
There are very few lawyers who actually try cases and even fewer who are good at it. Nobody can argue with my PROVEN RESULTS which you can see of on my "Representative Cases," page and I would be happy to share further examples if you would are interested. I have been told by a number of insurance lawyers and adjusters that they are VERY aware of which lawyers will not go to trial and that they pay their clients less. Who would you rather have decide what your personal injury claim is worth, an insurance adjuster or a jury? If you hire a lawyer who does not go to trial, then you are stuck begging for whatever the insurance company will give you. Hiring a trial lawyer is the only way to make sure you get a fair amount for your personal injury case.
What does it cost to hire an Oregon personal injury lawyer?
I handle all Oregon personal injury cases on a contingency basis. What this means is that I charge a percentage of the recovery. Not all Oregon personal injury lawyers charge the same lawyer fees. Make sure you understand what your personal injury lawyer will be charging you and how they base these fees on your settlement as this can really make a huge difference to you.
- My fee is 1/3rd if the case settles before trial and 40% if the case goes to trial or arbitration.
- Many personal injury lawyers increase their fees to 40% if they file a lawsuit or go to mediation.
- My fees are based on what is left AFTER your medical bills are paid. Most lawyers base their fees off the entire amount.
- This makes a big difference to you. For example if you have a $100,000 settlement and $50,000 in medical bills and your lawyer charges you 40% for filing a lawsuit, this only leaves you with $10,000.
- For the same settlement example above, to illustrate how this really adds up: if you have a $100,000 settlement and $50,000 in medical bills, my fee is $16,666 and you would end up with $33,333 which means you get a lot more money.
- My fees only increase over the 1/3rd if I earn it by actually going to trial or arbitration not just filing for a lawsuit. My fees increase to 40%, only after your medical bills are paid, and I charge the 40% only if the case actually goes to trial or arbitration. As the settlement example demonstrates, these fee differences really add up to a lot of money.
Will I have to pay anything up front?
No. I cover all of the costs of litigation up front. It can be very expensive to hire doctors and other expert witnesses, but they can be the difference between getting nothing and getting what you deserve. When looking for a personal injury lawyer, make sure look for someone who is willing to invest the time and money it takes to win your case.
Does it take a lot of time to make a personal injury claim?
No. Your time is important, so I do not waste it. Most clients prefer to do an initial consultation over the phone and don’t even have to come to my office. Unless a case goes to trial, it takes very little of your time. If a case does go to trial, it usually involves 2-3 days in court and a couple meetings with me in the months before trial.
Will I have to go to trial?
Probably not. I prepare every case for trial from day one, but 90% of cases settle. If I am willing to take your case, I am willing to try it. Insurance companies know who the trial lawyers are and usually do not want to go up against a good lawyer with a good case.
Should I call an attorney if I want to handle the claim myself?
Yes. I never charge for a personal injury consultation. In a few minutes over the phone I can give you an estimate of what a fair settlement amount is for your personal injury claim. You then can make an informed decision about whether or not to get a personal injury attorney involved.
Should I do a recorded statement with the insurance company?
No. They only want to get a recorded statement to use against you later at trial. If want to give them a statement, tell them they cannot record it.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
If the other driver has no insurance, you can still make a claim. Every Oregon auto insurance policy has uninsured motorist coverage, so you can still make a personal injury claim even if the other driver has no insurance.
Portland personal injury lawyer practice areas.
My Portland personal injury law practice focuses on personal injury. Many personal injuries are the result of truck, car, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents. I also handle boating accidents, and product liability. My law office is located in Portland. I will accept cases from throughout Oregon. Most of my cases result from Washington County, Clackamas County and Multnomah County injury accidents. |
