What should you do if you have a personal injury claim in Oregon?
When you are injured in an accident, it can be hard to know what to do or where to turn. Whether the accident is a slip and fall, a car accident, a product malfunction, or some other kind of accident, injuries cause a ripple effect in life and are almost always hard to deal with. The following article briefly explains what you should do after an accident in Oregon.
Get Medical Treatment
First, get the medical treatment you need. Your priority should always be your health. Make sure you do all you need to do to get on the road to full healing. Follow the advice from your doctors. Never miss a doctor’s appointment. Missing appointments makes it more difficult for your attorney to recover for you down the road.
Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you are injured and think someone else may have been responsible, you should talk to a lawyer about it as soon as you can. There are important time limits on your claim, so do not wait to talk to a lawyer. Many personal injury lawyers do not charge for initial consultations. If you go to a free consultation, you have nothing to lose by just speaking with a lawyer to see if you have a claim. In a small town, you may struggle to know which lawyer to go to. The law offices of Riverpoint Law specialize in helping those who are injured in small towns in Oregon. Riverpoint Law does not charge for an initial consultation and are a great resource to point you in the right direction.
Gather Documentation
Your lawyer will likely want some details about your case to adequately assess whether you have a claim. Try to have any relevant documents nearby to reference during your initial consultation. Depending on the type of accident and injury, the attorney will give you advice as to next steps. Generally, your priority is to get treated and get to feeling better. As you treat, your attorney will likely gather the information needed for your case while you are still treating.
Update Your Personal Injury Lawyer Throughout Your Claim
Most personal injury attorneys are paid by commission, not by the hour. You can feel comfortable asking your personal injury lawyer any questions throughout the process. Your accident attorney will strive to get you the best possible result on your personal injury claim because a better result means more money for both of you.
Negotiate
A good personal injury attorney will work diligently to attempt to get your injury-related bills covered out of any settlement or judgement. In many cases, your attorney will be able to get your medical bills reduced, resulting in more money in your pocket. Additionally, a good personal injury lawyer will take over the burden of negotiating with insurance companies. When offers for settlement come in, a good attorney will advise you to help you get the best result given the costs and benefits of litigation.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The facts of each claim vary greatly and some material in the above article may be inaccurate for the facts of your claim. If you are injured or think you may have a personal injury claim, you should seek legal counsel from an attorney.