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Law Offices
of
Smith
Morgan, LLP
525 Glen
Creek Road
NW, #300
Salem, Oregon
97304
Main Office
(503) 566-7426 |
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Personal Injury
Lawyers Oregon
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Toll-Free
1-888-465-6659 |
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Oregon Personal Injury Law
Offices |
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Albany,
Oregon |
(541) 812-8085 |
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Bend,
Oregon |
(541) 322-9007 |
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Gresham,
Oregon |
(503) 892-5943 |
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Keizer,
Oregon |
(503) 566-7426 |
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Lincoln City,
Oregon |
(541) 812-8085 |
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McMinnville,
Oregon |
(503) 472-1155 |
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Newberg,
Oregon |
(503) 472-1155 |
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Portland,
Oregon |
(503) 655-7998 |
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Salem,
Oregon |
(503) 566-7426 |
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Q.
What is my auto
accident
personal injury
case worth?
A. Every
legal case is
different. The
value of your
case will be
based on a
variety of
factors which
your attorney
will assess to
determine a
range of
acceptable
settlement
values. Things
like the
severity of your
injury, the
length of your
medical care,
the amount of
damage to the
vehicles
involved in the
collision, the
amount of your
medical
expenses, the
liability
conduct of the
defendant, and
the jurisdiction
in which your
case would be
filed, all play
an important
role in
determining the
ultimate value
of any legal
claim. |
Q. Will it
enhance my
chances of legal
recovery by
having an
attorney
represent me in
my personal
injury case?
A. Usually. The
attorney is
experienced in
dealing with the
claims and can
advise you and
negotiate for
you as your
advocate. Often
the attorney
will only charge
fees if they
improve your
recovery. |
Q. If I hire an
attorney for my
personal injury
case, will I
have to go to
court?
A. No. This is
still your
decision to
make. The
attorney can
help you
preserve the
evidence,
determine car
values, get a
rental car, get
wage
compensation
going, make sure
the medical
bills are paid
and advise you
regarding the
applicable laws.
Getting an
attorney
involved early
can actually
help you avoid
litigation. |
Q. Should
I agree to a taped
statement to the
insurance
company
regarding my
auto accident?
A. Not without
the advice of a
lawyer. There is
a reason that
most insurance
companies insist
that the
statement be
taped. |
Q. How
long does it
take to settle a
personal injury
case?
A. With an
experienced
attorney you
remain involved
with that
decision. The
attorney can
help you make
decisions on
timing while
avoiding the
possible notice
and time
limitation
traps. |
Q. How
much will it
cost to talk to
the attorney
about my
personal injury
case?
A. There is no
charge for an
initial
consultation. If
the attorney
agrees to help,
you can arrange
to pay a fee
only if you
recover. |
Q. Can I
discuss my
possible claim
with someone in
your law firm?
A. Certainly.
Please feel free
to call us! |
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Q: What is
negligence?
A: By the most
simple
definition, it
means that a
person was
careless which
resulted in
someone else
being injured.
Negligence is
really the basis
for a personal
injury lawsuit
and pertains to
any conduct that
is below the
recognized
standards of
behavior
established by
law for the
protection of
others against
unreasonable
risks of harm.
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Q: What
does the term
"liable" mean?
A: Legally
liable generally
means that a
court has
determined that
a person,
company or some
other entity
caused, and is
responsible for,
another person's
injury.
When a person,
company or some
other entity is
found liable,
they are
generally
obligated to
compensate the
injured party
for their
damages.
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Q: What
happens in a
legal deposition?
A: When a
personal injury
lawsuit is
filed, the
attorney for the
defendant will
likely “depose”
you or take your
deposition. A
deposition is
the process in
which the
defendant’s
attorney asks
you questions
about the
accident and
records your
answers, as you
swear to be
truthful with
your responses
to the
questions. A
deposition is
usually done in
an office or
conference room
and at some
point if you are
required to
testify in
court, your
answers will
definitely be
compared to your
deposition and
you will be
questioned as to
any
inconsistencies.
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