Oregon Injury Law Blog
Tag: Comparative Negligence

  Will my insurance pay my bills if I am hit by a car and injured while riding my bicycle or walking?

Q: Will my insurance pay my bills if I am hit by a car and injured while riding my bicycle or walking?

A: It depends on what kind of insurance you carry. If you have your own car insurance, an Oregon bicycle accident injury lawyer can help you use your automobile's PIP ("personal injury protection") insurance to immediately provide coverage even if you injured while riding a bicycle or walking.

  Is there bias that a motorcyclist must be at fault or "deserve" inuries in a motorcycle accident?

Juries, insurance adjusters, judges, and even lawyers representing motorcycle accident victims sometimes maintain the subtle bias that motorcyclists "deserve" injuries because they forego the safety of a four-wheeled, enclosed vehicle. At Pacific Injury Law Firm, we recognize such biases and refuse to minimize the claims of the motorcycle accident victim. If a motorcycle accident victim is not able to obtain complete and fair compensation, we will take the case to trial.

  What should I do after a Personal Injury injury?

After an accident, your injury attorney should have you do many things to maximize your financial recovery from your injury. From documenting your accident and creating an injury diary, to working with your doctor and documenting your lost wages, there are many pieces to your economic recovery. You should consult with an lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to coordinate.

  What Is Oregon Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?

Your liability coverage may include Personal Injury Protection ("PIP") or Medical Payments ("Med Pay") benefits. PIP provides a source of payment for YOUR medical bills and some of YOUR wage loss following an auto accident. Further, PIP is no-fault, meaning that it will begin paying on your injuries immediately, rather than waiting for liability to be determined. Similarly, Med Pay provides some coverage for YOUR medical bills. These are called "no-fault" coverages because they pay even if the accident is your fault.

  How much is my Oregon Personal Injury case worth?

Valuing any personal injury case requires consideration of many factors, and Personal Injury cases are no exception. The first determination in valuing a Personal Injury is determining fault. Who is at fault for the accident? Sometimes the answer is not entirely clear. Even though you may share fault (comparative negligence), you still may be entitled to compensation.

  What is Oregon uninsured insurance?

In Oregon, every policy carried by a driver is required to carry Uninsured Motorist (or "UM") coverageBy law, the minimum amount of coverage under an Oregon UM policy is $25,000. With uninsured motorist coverage, a person can recover economic damages and noneconomic damages just like they would receive from the negligent driver, all the way up to the limits of an uninsured motorist policy.