After a serious accident, you and your family may feel overwhelmed. You have medical bills, repairs, and your injuries may affect your ability to work. Attorney Rob Kline is here to help. Our team can discuss what happened during the crash, negotiate a better settlement with insurance companies, and let you know if you should seek legal action.
Get peace of mind by reviewing your legal options with a trusted local lawyer. If you’ve been in a serious crash in Portland and need our experienced auto accident attorney near me law firm, contact our law office today. You can also request a free consultation with us by calling (503) 224-6246.
You Have a Brief Amount of Time to File an Auto Accident Claim
Per Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) § 12.110, you typically have two years from the date of an auto accident to file a claim. Once that two-year deadline has elapsed, you will no longer be able to take legal action.
There are some exceptions to this two-year statute of limitations depending on the circumstances of the accident and the parties involved.
Why You Should Speak with an Auto Accident Attorney Near You ASAP
Two years sounds like a lot of time to file a legal claim, but it’s not as long as it sounds. You have a limited time to access footage of the crash from security videos, and a witness’ memory could falter the longer you wait to take action and record their testimony.
It’s in your best interests to speak with an auto accident attorney near you as soon as possible. Our Portland law office can review what happened in your crash and start evaluating evidence to get the process underway.
The Benefits of Working with a Local Auto Accident Attorney
When you hire an auto accident attorney based in Portland, you’re picking someone who has real insight into the community and the dangers posed by certain roads, road conditions, and local events that make crashes more likely.
Our team is very familiar with the dangerous PDX streets cited by the High Crash Network, such as Northeast Glisan, Southeast Division, and Northeast Marine Drive. We know the dangers that drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians encounter on these roads and intersections, as well as the potential for a major crash on Interstate 5 or Highway 26.
Rob Kline and his team can use this local knowledge to construct a compelling case based on the available evidence in your accident claim.
Why Choose Rob Kline for Your Auto Accident Claim
Rob Kline has a client-focused approach to personal injury law. He’ll take time to review what happened and how the crash has affected your life and your finances.
A former President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA), Rob Kline brings many advantages to your case:
- He Knows How Insurance Companies Operate: Rob Kline started his legal career working for insurance companies and corporations. He knows first-hand how the other side operates, and he can use this to your advantage while negotiating a settlement or representing your case in court.
- He Understands the Nuances of State and Local Laws: Rob Kline has authored and co-authored a number of legal resources, including the Oregon Pedestrian Law Guide 2.0, part of The OTLA Automobile Litigation Deskbook series. He can provide a detailed explanation of what’s happening in your case.
- He Is Recognized for His Legal Excellence: Rob Kline has an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He’s also earned a 10/10 “Superb Lawyer” rating on Avvo thanks to his compassionate approach to auto accident litigation.
Contact a Skilled Portland Auto Accident Near You
After a major crash, it’s best to speak with a local auto accident lawyer about what happened. Rob Kline and his team can identify all of the financial losses caused by a collision and help you reach a better settlement. To request a free case review with an auto accident attorney near you, contact our Portland law office. You can also reach us by calling (503) 224-6246.
Injuries in an Auto Collision Can Be Life-Altering
The injuries sustained in a major collision can change your quality of life and your ability to earn a living. Motorcyclists are especially prone to catastrophic injuries since they are more vulnerable than drivers and passengers in cars, pickups, and SUVs.
Many auto accident victims wind up with cuts, broken bones, neck injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that require months of treatment and follow-up care. Even after making a full recovery, accident survivors may experience lingering or chronic pain in addition to changes or limitations in their mobility.
In the most severe collisions, accident survivors could lose a limb or be permanently disabled. Victims of these crashes will need to change careers and their lifestyle in light of their injuries.
See a Doctor After Your Accident, Just in Case
Not all injuries are evident after you’ve been in an auto collision. Sometimes symptoms don’t become apparent until days after a crash.
Even after a relatively minor accident, we encourage you to go see your doctor and get checked out. An exam may reveal an injury caused by the crash or the aggravation of a pre-existing injury as a result of the collision. This medical evidence can increase the value of your auto accident claim.
Property Damage in a Collision Can Be Substantial
The damage to your vehicle and other belongings can be tremendous. If your car, pickup, SUV, or motorcycle is totaled in a crash, it can cost you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to replace that vehicle. Major repairs to a damaged vehicle can similarly set you back thousands of dollars.
In addition, the collision may have damaged important belongings that were in the vehicle or on your person at the time. Damage to a laptop, tablet, phone, unique keepsakes, or other belongings can add to your expenses after a crash.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Serious Auto Accident?
Different individuals and parties can be held liable in auto accidents. Portland-based attorney Rob Kline can identify which party or parties could be held liable in your case.
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- The Other Driver: If the other driver was texting while driving, speeding, driving under the influence, or made any errors in judgment that caused an accident, they can be held liable for causing injuries and property damage.
- An Automaker: Design defects and manufacturing errors can make a vehicle unsafe to drive. The automaker could be held liable in these cases if its actions caused or contributed to a serious collision.
- An Auto Parts Manufacturer: Auto parts can similarly contribute to or cause non-injury accidents. In these cases, our law office can hold the makers of faulty or defective auto parts liable for their actions.
- A Trucking Company: When a tractor-trailer is involved in an accident that causes severe injuries, the trucking company could be held liable if they failed to screen their driver’s record for red flags or neglected to ensure their vehicles were regularly maintained.
- Local Road Authorities: When roads fall into disrepair or Portland officials fail to mitigate adverse driving conditions, local road authorities may be held accountable for contributing to a collision.
Damages in a Serious Auto Accident
A major collision can cost you tens of thousands of dollars, and sometimes more. Our team will review any receipts, invoices, and statements to maximize the value of your accident claim. By working with an experienced local auto accident attorney like Rob Kline, you can understand the full extent of your injuries and what your claim is really worth.
Medical Treatment and Future Care
Our team will help you seek compensation for hospitalization, surgery, and emergency medical care. We will also ensure you receive compensation for follow-up care, visits with specialists, and any physical rehabilitation or occupational therapy.
Loss of Income and Future Earning Potential
Damages can be used to cover any lost earnings due to missed work or extended leave while recovering from a short-term or long-term disability. If you experienced a permanent disability, we can help seek compensation for reduced future earning potential.
Major Life Changes Due to Disability
For accident survivors who are disabled because of the crash, our law office will note the cost of any assistive devices, home renovations, and other changes to your life that help accommodate your needs after suffering a catastrophic injury.
Pain, Suffering, and the Effects on Mental Health
Auto accidents can have a major effect on a person’s psychological well-being. Our team can seek compensation for your pain and suffering, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and any psychological counseling or psychiatric care related to your collision.
The Cost of Vehicle Repairs or Replacement
Fixing minor dents or a broken windshield can cost hundreds of dollars, while major repairs like replacing a door or fixing structural damage can cost thousands. If any airbags deployed during the accident, those will also need to be replaced, which can add thousands of dollars to your repair bills. If your vehicle is totaled in a collision, you’ll need to replace that vehicle at some point. This can be a major financial setback.
Personal Belongings Damaged During the Crash
In addition to the damaged vehicle, you can receive compensation for any personal belongings that may have been damaged in the crash. This includes any electronics, valuables, keepsakes, and other personal property that may have been in the vehicle or on your person at the time.
Rentals or Rideshares While You Were Without a Vehicle
You may need to rent a car or rely on rideshares while you are without a vehicle. The amount spent on car rentals and rideshares can add up quickly, especially if you have a long commute or have many errands to run in a day. We can help seek compensation to cover these accident-related expenses.
Damages After a Fatal Auto Accident
If you lose a loved one in a fatal auto accident, Rob Kline and his team can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit. This legal action will hold the liable party accountable for causing or contributing to the fatal crash. The damages received in a wrongful death action can help your household cover funeral expenses, the loss of the decedent’s income, and the loss of your loved one’s companionship and society.
Can I Still Seek Damages If I Was Partly Responsible for an Accident?
Potentially, yes. That’s because Oregon is a modified comparative negligence state (ORS § 31.600). That means you can still receive damages after a crash as long as you are 50% or less at fault. Your percentage of liability will be deducted from the jury award.
For example, say that you are awarded $100,000 in damages after an auto accident, but you were also determined to be 20% at fault. Because of modified comparative negligence, you would ultimately receive $80,000.
That said, you should never admit fault to the insurance company or the other driver. Doing so could negatively affect the amount of compensation you receive. When you discuss what happened with Portland auto accident attorney Rob Kline, he can communicate with the insurance company for you to avoid any missteps during the settlement negotiation process.
How Long Will It Take to Settle My Auto Accident Claim?
Like the average settlement amount, the time it takes to settle a claim can vary. In some cases, a settlement can be reached in just a few weeks, while other cases may require several months of negotiation or longer. The complexity of the case, the extent of your injuries, and the overall value of your claim will often determine the time it takes to settle.
Our team will keep you posted throughout the settlement negotiation process. We’ll let you know if there are any setbacks, and we’ll let you know if an offer is worth taking or if your case is better off seeking damages in court.
Contact Our Auto Accident Attorney Near Me Law Firm With Attorney Rob Kline in Portland, OR
Major collision cases require diligence and attention to detail. Rob Kline and his team are here to help you recover as much compensation as possible. To speak with a trusted Portland auto accident attorney near you, contact our law office today. You can also request a free case evaluation by calling (503) 224-6246.
