Bethany Personal Injury Lawyer

Frequently Asked Questions About Bethany Personal Injury Claims

No Case Is Too Complex for Our Legal Team

We gladly answer all questions specific to your case in your initial consultation, but here are some answers to questions our personal injury attorneys in Salem, OR, are asked the most.

If the other party’s insurance company offered to pay me, why do I need a Salem personal injury lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer has the experience necessary to evaluate your case and calculate the costs you incurred to get the highest possible settlement. The other party’s insurance company is interested in getting you to settle as fast as possible, for as little as possible. Legally, once you accept a settlement for a personal injury claim, the case is closed. For example, say you broke your leg in a car accident. You have a cast on, and while you are healing, you accept a settlement from the other driver’s insurance company to cover the ambulance ride after the wreck and the cost of setting your leg. But when the cast is removed, your doctor realizes the leg did not heal quite right, and you need surgery. That cost comes out of your pocket because your case is already settled.

When you hire a Bethany personal injury attorney, you benefit from their experience in placing a value on cases like yours. Although you may wonder why you are waiting, the reason your lawyer may wait to file the case is to determine the full extent of your injuries and how much treatment will cost. That way, the amount in the lawsuit is enough to cover eventualities.

How much do personal injury lawyers in Bethany, OR, cost?

At Strong Law, we get paid only when we win your case. Our legal fees are a percentage of the final settlement. If we do not win for you, we do not get paid.

If I got hurt at work, can I still file a personal injury lawsuit?

Yes, even if you get your worker’s compensation insurance coverage, you can still hire a Salem personal injury lawyer to file a suit. Sometimes, the worker’s comp insurance will not cover the full amount of your treatment. If you cannot resume your job duties because you were too severely injured, you may have to take a different, lower-paying job. Worker’s comp does not cover the difference between what you were making and what you are making now.

However, when you file a workplace injury lawsuit, your personal injury attorneys in Salem, OR, may add compensation for your loss of earning potential — bonuses and career advancement that you can no longer be eligible for because you cannot do the job that would have earned them.

Sometimes, the defendant (your employer) had a history of overlooking potential workplace hazards or consistently failing to maintain equipment, making the work environment dangerous. In these cases, the defendant’s actions were so egregious your lawyer may ask for punitive damages to financially punish the company for wrongdoing. That money goes to you — and you will not get that from worker’s comp insurance.

Can I Sue for Emotional Distress in a Personal Injury Case?

Your Bethany personal injury lawyers can help you sue for emotional distress as part of a personal injury claim. You may experience emotional distress after an accident or injury. Your symptoms might include life-altering depression, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

To win a personal injury claim with emotional distress, you typically need to show you experienced emotional harm caused by the injury or accident. You may also need to provide evidence of emotional distress, such as testimony from a mental health professional. Our personal injury lawyers in Bethany, OR, can help you prepare your case for the best outcome.

Talk to one of our qualified personal injury attorneys to determine if emotional distress is a viable claim for your scenario.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take?

The length of a personal injury case varies depending on the complexity of the case and the extent of your injuries. It is also influenced by how full the court schedule is. In general, cases can take anywhere from several months to several years. However, we will do everything we can to expedite your case.

The severity of the injuries: Cases involving severe injuries may take longer to resolve because it can take time to assess the extent of the injuries and the impact they will have on the victim’s life.

Some considerations to take into account include:

• The complexity of the case: Cases that involve multiple parties or complex legal issues may take longer to resolve. For example, if there are multiple defendants, it may take time to determine who is responsible for the injury.
• The court’s schedule: The court’s schedule can also impact how long it takes to resolve a case. If the court has a backlog, it may take longer to get a trial date.
• Settlement negotiations: Many personal injury cases are resolved through settlement negotiations rather than going to trial. How long it takes to settle a case depends on how the negotiations go.

What Happens If I am Partially at Fault for My Injury?

If you are partially at fault for your injury, you may still recover damages, but it will impact your final award. Our Bethany personal injury attorneys can help you get the maximum award by minimizing your percentage of blame for the accident. However, the award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a court determines that you were 25% at fault for the accident, your award will decrease by 25%.

Meet with a personal injury attorney in your jurisdiction to understand how partial fault may affect your case.

Can I Settle My Personal Injury Case Out of Court?

Most personal injury cases are settled before they ever go to trial. This is often because settling a case out of court can be faster, less expensive, and less risky for all parties involved, especially with the assistance of our accomplished personal injury attorneys in Bethany, OR.

To settle a personal injury case out of court, our team typically negotiates with the defendant’s lawyer or insurance company. This process often concludes in a settlement agreement that you and the defendant sign off on.

The settlement agreement will typically include a payment from the defendant’s insurance company. The amount of your settlement depends on how badly you were hurt, how high your medical bills were, and the number of lost wages and other damages you receive.

While settling a personal injury case out of court can be a good option, it is not always possible or advisable. In some cases, the defendant may not want to negotiate. Then, your case may go to trial. Are you considering an out-of-court settlement for your personal injury case? Our Bethany personal injury lawyers can help. Let our team help you get a fair resolution to your financial and personal losses.

What If the Defendant Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Your Bethany personal injury attorney will investigate other ways to collect damages from their personal assets. If someone hurt you or damages your property, it is still their responsibility to reimburse you for your losses. Our team will give you an honest answer regarding the likelihood of recovering damages and whether it is in your best interest to pursue the personal injury claim.

Every personal injury case is different, with different circumstances and liable parties. We gladly answer all your questions at your initial consultation and as they come up in the settlement process.