Auto accidents can have a profound effect on your physical well-being and mental health. Catastrophic injuries sustained in a crash may require accident survivors to use a wheelchair for mobility or a prosthetic limb to perform daily activities. In some cases, these survivors are no longer able to work or live independently.
If you were seriously hurt in an injury collision, Portland auto accident lawyer Rob Kline can help. He can negotiate a better settlement with insurance companies and is prepared to take your case to court if it means securing more compensation for you and your family.
For a free consultation with our trusted auto accident injury lawyer near me law firm, contact our Portland law office. You can also reach Rob Kline and his team by phone at (503) 224-6246.
You Have a Limited Time to File an Injury Accident Claim
There are different filing deadlines depending on the types of injuries sustained in a crash:
- Per Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) § 12.110, you have two years from the date of an injury accident to file an action.
- Per ORS § 30.020, you have three years from the date of a fatal injury accident to file an action.
Once these respective statutes of limitations have expired, you will no longer be able to file a claim. Keep in mind that there are some exceptions to the time limits above based on the nature of the crash and the parties involved.
It’s in your best interests to speak with an auto accident injury lawyer near you as soon as possible. Our Portland law office can review what happened and start gathering evidence to get your case started.
Injuries Aren’t Always Obvious After an Auto Accident
You might feel fine after a car crash and be able to walk away seemingly unscathed. Yet you might have suffered an injury without immediately recognizing it. Over the next few days, you might experience pain, numbness, or signs that something is off. Delayed symptoms like these are more common than you think.
We advise anyone who’s been in a car accident to see their doctor and get a checkup. Your doctor can run tests and identify signs of injury that may not be apparent. This evidence of injury is essential for your auto accident claim, and it can also help you avoid future re-injury or aggravating an untreated injury.
How a Serious Injury Accident Can Affect Your Life
Serious injuries in an auto accident can take a toll on a person’s life and livelihood. An accident survivor may need to take extended leave from work to recuperate from their injuries. Even with insurance, an accident survivor may have substantial out-of-pocket expenses related to their medical care needs.
Even after making a full recovery, injury accident survivors may have lasting issues with chronic pain and changes in strength or mobility that require physical therapy and ongoing medical treatment.
Catastrophic Injuries and Permanent Disability from a Collision
Catastrophic injuries refer to life-changing injuries that have a lasting effect on the victim’s life. Many people who suffer a catastrophic injury experience a permanent disability or face long-term limitations on their strength, mobility, and ability to perform day-to-day activities.
In some cases, a catastrophic injury may necessitate the use of a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other assistive devices. This may require renovations and accessibility changes to a person’s home to accommodate their needs. The injury survivor may also need to change careers if they are no longer able to perform essential tasks in their current profession.
Significant life changes like these are why you need to speak with a Portland auto accident injury lawyer near you. Attorney Rob Kline can help seek compensation that addresses the myriad ways your injuries have changed your life and the lives of your family members.
How Our Portland Law Office Can Help Injured Auto Accident Victims
Rob Kline takes a client-focused approach to personal injury law here in Portland. Major injuries in an auto accident can have lifelong repercussions, so he will take time to learn how your injuries have affected your quality of life and ability to earn a living.
A former President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA), Rob Kline brings a number of advantages to your case:
- We Know How Insurance Companies Operate: Rob Kline started his legal career working for corporations and insurance companies. He has first-hand knowledge of how the other side of the table operates, and he can leverage this experience while negotiating a settlement or representing you in court.
- We Understand the Nuances of State and Local Laws: Rob Kline can provide a detailed explanation of the laws that apply to your accident case. He’s written and co-authored multiple legal resources, including the Oregon Pedestrian Law Guide 2.0, part of The OTLA Automobile Litigation Deskbook series.
- We Are Recognized for Our Legal Excellence: Rob Kline has a 10/10 “Superb Lawyer” rating on Avvo thanks to his compassionate approach to auto accident litigation. He also has an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Discuss Your Auto Accident Injury with Rob Kline in Portland, OR
Whether you were in a serious collision or lost a family member in a fatal crash, attorney Rob Kline is here to offer counsel and advice. To request a free case evaluation from an experienced Portland auto accident injury lawyer near you, contact our law office today. You can also reach us by phone at (503) 224-6246.
Potential Injuries from Auto Accidents
A major auto accident can cause different kinds of injuries. Below are some of the most common forms of physical trauma our Portland auto accident injury lawyer sees among local clients. Whether you were in a car accident, a collision with a semi-truck, or a motorcycle crash, our team is here to help.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Many auto accidents result in traumatic brain injuries that can have lingering effects on memory, cognition, motor skills, and mood. Concussions, coup-contrecoup injuries, and brain contusions are just a few examples of TBIs experienced during auto accidents.
Facial Trauma
In addition to brain injuries, any trauma to the head during a crash can cause all kinds of facial injuries. This includes a broken nose, fractured orbital bones, injuries to the teeth and jaw, and all kinds of lacerations that could lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Fractures Bones
The force of impact in a crash can break bones throughout the body. Common injuries include cracked ribs or sternum, broken arms and legs, broken wrists and ankles, skull fractures, broken clavicles, fractured vertebrae, and even injuries to various joints.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries refer to all kinds of trauma affecting the ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These kinds of injuries can have long-term effects on limb strength as well as a person’s overall mobility and range of motion.
Internal Injuries
The force from a major accident can cause internal bleeding as well as injuries to various internal organs. Possible internal organ injuries in a crash include a ruptured spleen, collapsed lungs, and damage to the liver or kidneys.
Whiplash
The sudden forward and backward motion of the head during an accident can cause a whiplash injury of the neck. This can cause lingering pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back as well as headaches, vertigo, and muscle spasms.
Back Injuries
A major auto accident could cause all kinds of debilitating back injuries, including a herniated disc and soft tissue damage. Collisions can also aggravate old back injuries, requiring additional medical treatment.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
In catastrophic auto accidents, there’s a risk of spinal cord injuries that result in different degrees of paralysis. In catastrophic crashes, the accident survivor may be a paraplegic or a quadriplegic for the rest of their life.
Loss of Limbs
In catastrophic crashes, an accident victim’s injuries may lead to the loss of a limb. This may occur during the crash itself, or the injuries to a limb may be so serious that they necessitate surgical amputation.
The Lasting Psychological Effects of a Car Accident
In addition to physical trauma, severe auto accidents can have lasting effects on a person’s mental health and overall well-being. We can discuss your auto accident injuries and any psychological impact from the crash during your free consultation at our law office in Portland, OR.
Anxiety and Depression
Many accident survivors develop signs of anxiety and depression after a crash. This includes insomnia and sleep interruptions, persistent fear or worry, loss of appetite, emotional detachment, and profound feelings of sadness.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD often develops within the first months of a traumatic event, though it can take longer for symptoms to manifest. People with PTSD may have intrusive flashbacks to the accident in addition to changes in mood and severe irritability.
Shame and Survivor’s Guilt
In serious accidents or fatal accidents, it’s common for survivors to feel guilt or shame over their circumstances. Perhaps a passenger in the driver’s vehicle passed away, or the passenger may have suffered catastrophic injuries in comparison. These feelings can persist for many years after the crash.
Damages in an Auto Accident That Caused Injuries
After an injury auto accident in Portland, survivors and their families can seek compensation for their medical bills and any other expenses related to their injuries. This may include the cost of:
- Emergency Medical Services: This refers to the ambulance and any emergency medical care performed to stabilize your condition after an auto accident.
- Hospitalization and Surgery: Your hospital stay and surgical procedures related to your accident injuries will be covered by legal damages.
- Physical Rehabilitation: Physical rehabilitation is essential for restoring mobility and movement after a major accident that damages bones, joints, and soft tissues.
- Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy can help you adapt to life after a catastrophic injury, with exercises and strategies that allow you to perform daily activities.
- Follow-up Medical Care: You can receive compensation for follow-up care with your doctor or a specialist related to the auto accident injuries.
- Assistive Devices: This covers everything from crutches after a broken leg to a wheelchair or prosthetic limb.
Accommodations for a Disability After an Accident
If your injuries in an auto accident resulted in a long-term or permanent disability, damages can also cover any home renovations or other accommodations. This includes ramps, changes to doorways, grab bars in bathrooms, a new bed, and other modifications for accessibility.
Mental Health Counseling and Therapy Costs
Counseling and the use of prescription medication can help with an accident survivor’s mental health and psychological well-being. We can help seek damages for you to see a therapist and work with a psychiatrist.
Lost Income and Future Earning Potential
Serious injuries may require you to miss work in order to recover. We can seek compensation to cover any lost wages while recuperating from accident injuries. If your career was derailed because of an accident-related disability, we can also seek compensation for job retraining and the estimated loss of future income.
Damage to the Vehicle and Other Property
Beyond your physical injuries and psychological well-being after an auto accident, our injury lawyer near you can also seek compensation for any vehicle repairs or the replacement of a totaled vehicle. Damages will also cover the cost of any personal belongings destroyed during the crash.
Legal Options for Auto Accidents That Caused Fatal Injuries
If you lose a loved one in a fatal auto accident, our team can help you file a wrongful death action against the negligent party. Damages in a wrongful death action can be used to cover funeral and burial expenses, grief counseling, lost earnings, and the loss of your loved one’s companionship, society, and contributions to your household.
Contact Our Portland Auto Accident Injury Lawyer Near Me Law Firm
A major injury crash can have lasting repercussions on your life and the lives of your family members. You don’t have to face the insurance companies or other lawyers alone. Attorney Rob Kline is here to help you through a difficult time. To request a free consultation with a proven auto accident injury lawyer near you, contact our Portland law office. You can also reach us by calling (503) 224-6246.
