Oregon Car Accident Legal Questions

Hi. It looks like you are getting the run around from the at fault's insurance company. I highly reccomend that you retain an accident attorney to represent you for both your personal injury and propery damages. Insurance companies will take your case much more seriously if you do that. ... Read Answer

Not generally, but are you sure you weren't served? They can serve someone 14 years old at your residence. If they try and can not serve, then they can serve by publication (which means putting it in a news paper). You can go to the courthouse and there will be a document filed which shows how they claim they served you.... Read Answer

How much your case is worth is not something that can be answered based upon the basic information you have provided.  You didn't mention the type of injury you suffered, if you are fully recovered, if you have any disabilities or disfigurement or what your provable lost income is.  These are all important factors. If you lost a limb, your case could be worth something in the six figures.  If you are a surgeon and lost the use of your hand, your case could be worth seven figures or more.  If you had $1,000 of damage to your vehicle, suffered a mild spinal injury that was treated by a chiropractor with massage, adjustments, physical therapy and electrical stimulation, your case could be worth less than half your medical bills. We don't like to send a settlement demand out until our client is at least 90 days post treatment if they suffered a serious injury or if there is a chance that all injuries have not manifested themselves.  We don't want to hurry into a settlement and not know all of our client's injuries. Knowing the policy limits of the at-fault party is very helpful in determining tactics and the amount demanded in the demand letter. My suggestion is to have a sit down conversation with your attorney.  Ask your questions and take notes.  If you don't like what you hear, get a second opinion.  Be careful of a second opinion that simply tells you want to hear rather than what is best for you and your case. John Bisnar Bisnar|Chase, Orange County Personal Injury Attorneys Trusted Professionals, Proven Results www.Orange-County-Lawyers.com 800-956-0123... Read Answer

I am so sorry to hear of your daughter's death. Any qualified personal injury and wrongful death lawyer will explore all of the possibilities above and beyond the amount of insurance on the drunk driver. This will include the issue of who provided the drugs and alcohol, whether the owner of the vehicle had separate insurance from the driver of the vehicle, and whether any defect in the car contributed to the death of your daughter. Best of luck and my condolences.... Read Answer

I would doubt that the circumstances described would allow you to reopen your cases.  Inevitably, you would have signed a release that discharged the at fault party from any and all future liability or responsibility.  By signing this release, you gave up your right to go after the defendant(s) in the future.  If you had doubts at the time, you should have sought a second opinion from another lawyer before signing your agreement to settle the matter.  I am sorry, but I think you are out of luck. Steven A. Schwartz Attorney/Partner   JOEL H. SCHWARTZ, P.C. One Washington Mall, 16th floor Boston, MA  02108 (617) 742-1170 (800) 660-2270 (617) 250-2072 fax sas@joelhschwartz.com www.joelhschwartz.com... Read Answer