When to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Oregon? Reasons to Seek Legal Representation  

If you’ve been in an accident in Oregon, you might find yourself asking, “do I need a personal injury lawyer?” To know if you need to hire a lawyer, you first need to know if you have a case to recover compensation. We’ll walk you through the basics in this blog, but the best way to find out if you need to hire a personal injury lawyer is to call one and ask.  

Personal injury law firms like Senft Injury Advocates offer free consultations so you can discuss the details of your case at no cost and get advice on how to proceed. Because attorneys usually get paid a percentage of the total settlement, if they express interest in taking on your case, it likely means you can recover worthwhile compensation.  

But what exactly does an attorney bring to the table in your situation? And how much will it cost? (Spoiler: it’s probably less than you think.) In this blog, we hope to unpack the answers to these questions and more.  

No Time? No Problem  

If you want to skip the details and get in touch with an Oregon personal injury lawyer right away, we’ve got you covered. At Senft Injury Advocates, we have 24/7 availability, meaning you can call right now to discuss your case with a seasoned personal injury attorney—all completely free of charge.  

How Do I Know If I Have a Case?  

Typically, in order to be able to file a claim after an accident, you need to be able to establish two basic facts:  

Damage  

You must be able to prove that the accident caused damage to your person or property, and that said damage necessitated significant medical care or left a severe impact on quality of life. This proves the need for personal injury compensation and qualifies you for enough damages to justify the time investment of a personal injury case.  

To set yourself up for success, take photographs and/or video of the accident scene, and write down or record your memory of the events as soon as possible. Also, see a medical provider as early as you can, and keep receipts of any medical bills as well as other documents that prove your injuries.  

Liability  

Liability refers to the legal responsibility of a person, organization, or entity whose negligence or misconduct caused or contributed to the injury. To pursue compensation, you must be able to prove that another party was liable for the accident. This is especially important in Oregon, a modified comparative negligence state, where you cannot recover compensation if you are found to be more than 50% at fault or liable for the accident.  

Fortunately, recording the accident scene can also be helpful to establish this information. You should also make sure an accident report is filed properly, and obtain a copy for your own records. Most importantly, though, take care to avoid making statements at the scene which could be used against you in court. Common slip-ups to avoid include: “I’m sorry,” “I didn’t see you,” and “I’m okay/not hurt.”  

Establishing Liability with Different Types of Torts  

There are three different types of torts, or harmful actions, which precede a claim for personal injury compensation in Oregon. If any of the following describe your situation, it may be time to hire a personal injury attorney:  

• Intentional Tort. One party deliberately took an action which caused harm to another (the victim), resulting in their injury. This includes cases like assault and defamation.  
• Negligent Tort. One party failed to uphold a reasonable duty of care towards another (the victim), resulting in their injury. This includes cases where a business owner or care provider failed to maintain safe conditions, like slip-and-falls and medical malpractice. It also includes many auto accidents, in which the at-fault driver often engages in unsafe driving practices.  
• Strict Liability Tort. The incident which caused harm to the victim was considered a dangerous action, regardless of the at-fault party's intent or knowledge of the risk. This applies only to very specific situations, like manufacturing defects and animal attacks.  

File Within the Statute of Limitations  

Lastly, in order for your case to be recognized, you need to file it within a certain deadline, known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for Oregon personal injury depends on a few factors, but in most cases will be two years from the date of the accident.  

Failing to file your claim before this deadline could lose you the right to compensation. Act fast, and seek out the assistance of a FedEx truck accident lawyer to ensure you can build your claim as efficiently as possible.  

When In Doubt, Get a Free Consultation  

Most law firms, including Senft Injury Advocates, offer a free consultation, allowing us to get the full details of your case and help you determine what your best next steps should be.  

If you have a case, then you can continue to fight for the compensation you deserve. But even if you decide against further action, you’ll obtain more clarity of mind without having to spend a cent.  

Is It Cheaper to Handle My Claim Alone?  

In most cases, the answer is no. Many people might hesitate to reach out to an attorney because of the perceived cost, but the truth is that hiring a personal injury lawyer is generally the better option for your finances. In fact, research indicates that those who hire personal injury lawyers end up with three times more compensation on average than those who don’t. This is true for a few reasons:  

1. An attorney can help maximize your settlement. With years or even decades of experience in the legal field, personal injury attorneys are experts at negotiating compensation. From medical bills to pain and suffering, they will investigate every potential avenue for compensation to get you the full amount you're eligible for.  
2. Common negotiation tactics don't work on experienced lawyers. Insurance companies can present unrepresented individuals with lowball offers or unfair rejections, pressuring inexperienced victims into taking less than they deserve. Not only will your lawyer be able to see through these tactics, but their very presence will likely decrease the chances of receiving lowball offers, forcing insurers to take you more seriously.  
3. Most firms offer a risk-free payment structure. In many cases, legal fees won't ever come out of your own pocket. Instead, firms like Senft Injury Advocates offer a no-win, no-fee policy, only getting paid a percentage of the final settlement. By doing this, the firm assumes the financial risk of legal action on your behalf, to ease your burden and assure you of their intent to win.  

What Advantages Does an Oregon Personal Injury Attorney Offer?  

Choosing to hire a personal injury lawyer in Oregon is not just about minimizing the expenses of the legal process. Partnering with an attorney while seeking compensation grants you a number of key benefits.  

Access to Resources  

Many firms aim to offer more than just legal services by utilizing professional connections to link clients with valuable resources. For instance, at Senft Injury Advocates, we connect you with a network of healthcare professionals to ensure recovery on all levels, not just financially.  

Protection Against Pitfalls  

There are many obstacles in personal injury claims that can be serious trip-ups for those inexperienced with the process. One can easily miss deadlines, fail to gather critical evidence, or be pressured into an unfair offer, among many other possibilities. An experienced personal injury attorney will guide you through each step of the process to help you make the right choices and sidestep these pitfalls.  

Peace of Mind  

Perhaps one of the most underrated benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer is the reassurance of knowing your case is in good hands. When handling claims by themselves, accident victims have to deal with the stress of navigating legal complexities, all while trying to recover from the incident. By hiring an attorney, you can relax and focus on healing, with the knowledge that you have an expert handling your claim.  

How Do I Get Started?  

Ready to join forces with a seasoned Oregon personal injury attorney? There’s no time like the present. Call Senft Injury Advocates anytime, any day to speak directly to a lawyer. There are no hidden or upfront fees, and our results speak for themselves. Let us help you on the path to victory.