Oregon Injury Law Blog
Tag: Fault Laws

  Understanding Accident Liability: A Comprehensive Guide

Every contested auto accident involves two major issues - "liability" and "damages." Liability simply means that the other party must be legally liable before he or she has any obligation to pay compensation for injuries.

  Characteristics of Top-Notch Personal Injury Attorneys in Oregon

Anybody who has been injured in an accident likely needs assistance of a lawyer who practices in injury law. If the accident occurred in Oregon, you’ll no doubt want the best Oregon personal injury attorney you can find working on your side, helping you through the process. But what traits are common in the lawyers that qualify as truly “excellent,” versus those who are just average?

  Understanding the Worth of Your Personal Injury Case in Oregon

Valuing any personal injury case requires consideration of many factors, and Personal Injury cases are no exception. The first determination in valuing an Oregon 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.

  Busting the Bias: Motorcycle Accident Victims Deserve Fair Compensation

Juries, insurance adjusters, judges, and even attorneys 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.

  Understanding Oregon's Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage

In short, UIM insurance is a means of utilizing your own (UM uninsured) policy when another driver has insurance, but it’s not enough to cover your injuries. With UIM insurance coverage, if available, you would get coverage equal to the difference between the policy limits on your UM policy and the policy limits carried by the insurance policy of a negligent driver who caused an injury (the at-fault driver) in a car accident, motorcycle accident, or bicycle accident.

  Navigating Oregon's Uninsured Motorist Insurance Laws

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.

  Understanding Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Oregon

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.

  Understanding Insurance Coverage for Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents in Oregon

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.

  Navigating Post-Injury Procedures in Oregon

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 attorney as soon as possible after your accident to coordinate.

  Understanding Alternative Dispute Resolution: Arbitration vs Mediation

Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") is becoming an increasingly important option in many jurisdictions. ADR refers to efforts to find methods that are outside the court system to resolve civil disputes. These methods may be advantageous to the courts and to the parties involved since they may resolve a dispute in a faster, more cost-effective manner and reduce or eliminate the need for participation by the court system.