Motor vehicle accidents have many causes: inattentive drivers, intoxicated drivers, dangerous weather conditions and even poor road maintenance. No matter what the cause, the impact can be devastating. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an attorney.
Information About Car and Truck Accidents
A Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington Law Firm
When you have been injured in a car accident, life can suddenly become very complicated and difficult. Physical pain makes it hard to anything you'd normally do. You can't work. Medical bills arrive daily. In fact, just dealing with the insurance companies alone is bad enough — even when you're completely healthy.
At the Weimar Law Offices, we focus on making the legal part of your recovery as easy as possible so you can concentrate on recuperation and healing. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer — call our Beaverton offices directly at 503-575-9672 or toll free from anywhere in the Portland, Oregon, or Vancouver, Washington areas at 888-546-6231. You can also reach us online.
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Has your life been turned upside-down by a car or truck accident? Find the compassion you deserve and the aggressive advocacy you need at the Beaverton, Oregon, offices of attorney Linda Weimar. Call or contact us today for a free consultation. You pay no legal fees unless we obtain a verdict or settlement on your behalf.
After any auto accident, the best advice anyone can give you is to get immediate medical attention and then contact an attorney. In the Greater Portland areas of Oregon and Washington State, you can rely on Weimar Law Offices to help you recover. For a free consultation, call or contact our Beaverton offices today.
What to Do If You Are in an Accident
When you are in an accident, you have immediate, important decisions to make. For the crucial decisions you have to make later on, consult with an attorney from Weimar Law Offices in Beaverton, Oregon.
Immediately After the Accident
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, the first thing you need to do is stop your car or truck; pull over to the side of the road if you can. Most states make leaving the scene of an accident a crime.
Check to see whether you or your passengers have been injured. See if the occupants of the other vehicle(s) are okay, too. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance; it is usually best not to move an injured person yourself. Prevent additional injuries by making your vehicle visible: set out flares, turn on your hazard lights or raise the hood of your vehicle.
States have different rules about when people who have been in accidents need to call the police. To be on the safe side, you may want to call any time you are in an accident. The police will decide whether they need to come to the scene.
Meanwhile, exchange information with the other driver. Write down the driver’s name, address, telephone number, license plate number, driver’s license number and full auto insurance information. Give your information to the other driver, too.
If anyone witnessed the accident, try to get their identifying information. In addition, make note of the circumstances of the crash and anything unusual that you noticed. Record the weather conditions, the speed limit on the road, your speed at the time of the crash, your estimate of the other driver’s speed and other such elements. This will be important if the case ends up in litigation or an insurance dispute.
Do not admit fault. The determination of fault, if any, will be made later. For now, focus on safety and proper accident procedures. Do not sign any waivers offered by the other driver or the insurance company.
When the Police Arrive
Cooperate with any police officers who are at the scene of the accident. Provide them with whatever information they request, including information on injuries and witnesses, but avoid making editorial comments or admitting responsibility for what happened. Legal liability is complex, and you may not have the facts you need to determine who was responsible for the accident.
Make sure to get the business cards of the police officers who investigate. Ask for the incident number, too, so that you can get a copy of the accident report (and so that you can give this information to your insurance company). Do not leave the scene of the accident until the police officers tell you that it is okay to do so.
Soon After the Accident
Even if you are in minor pain, it is best to be examined by a physician. Injuries may not truly show themselves until later, and early treatment can prevent significant pain or other damage. In addition, an insurance company could argue that your failure to seek medical treatment aggravated your injury, or even that your injury did not arise from the accident at all.
Contact an Attorney
When you consult with an attorney, bring all of your automobile insurance information with you. Do not sign any documents or checks from an insurance company before you speak with the attorney. Document all of the costs related to the accident, such as renting a car, lost wages, medical bills and other costs. An experienced attorney from Weimar Law Offices in Beaverton, Oregon, can help you sort out all the losses related to your accident.
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