Did a drunk driver injure you or someone you love? A drunk driving accident can affect every facet of a victim’s life, leaving them struggling with a painful recovery, expensive medical expenses, and the prospect of missing work for weeks, months, or longer. In addition, these accidents often leave victims with debilitating mental and emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
You shouldn’t have to shoulder the physical and financial burden when someone else’s poor decisions cause you harm. Contact Siefman Law LLC and let our attorneys help you pursue compensation and justice. We will provide you with knowledgeable, compassionate legal counsel, and we will fight aggressively to protect your rights and pursue the financial recovery you need to get back on your feet.
Don't let a drunk driver take control of your life. Call Siefman Law LLC at 503-395-2135 today.
Drunk driving accidents tend to be much more complicated than other types of car accident cases. While the impaired driver will likely face criminal charges for their actions, their criminal case is distinct from the personal injury case you will need to file to pursue compensation for your losses.
It’s crucial that you have an injury lawyer on your side who has in-depth knowledge of Oregon’s drunk driving laws so they can gather the evidence they need to build a strong claim for your financial recovery.
For example, if the driver who caused your crash is convicted of drunk driving, your attorney can likely leverage that conviction as evidence in your case. However, even if the at-fault driver is not convicted, your attorney can still pursue compensation from that driver. They’ll know what steps they need to take to help show that the drunk driver’s negligence led to the accident and your injuries.
In addition, a seasoned drunk driving accident lawyer will explore all avenues of compensation in your case. While the drunk driver will likely be the focus of your case, other parties, such as a liquor store or bar that served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated, may also share liability.
Throughout the process, your attorneys will handle all of the legal legwork so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. From investigating the initial accident to composing the demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company to negotiating aggressively for the settlement you deserve, your attorney will work tirelessly to protect your interests.
Dealing with insurance companies following a serious car accident can be challenging. They may seek to minimize your injuries to avoid paying out claims, or they may use certain tactics to tilt the odds in their favor, such as asking you to give a statement that could potentially be used against your case. Your attorney will know how to counter these tactics and fight for the outcome you need.
If the insurance company fails to offer a fair settlement, your legal team will be prepared to take your case to court. Just the threat of a lawsuit can give you an advantage as the insurance company will likely want to avoid an expensive and drawn-out court case.
Though hiring an attorney isn’t required by law, you’ll be glad to have a legal advocate in your corner.
At Siefman Law LLC, our legal teams’ years of trial experience means we have a unique perspective when crafting strategies for our personal injury clients. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, and the working relationships we’ve formed with the judges and other lawyers in the courtrooms help ensure that your case is properly heard.
We also take pride in the service we provide for our clients. You're not just another drunk-driving statistic to us. You're an Oregon resident in need of help, and when you choose us to represent you, we take on the responsibility of supporting you during this challenging time along with providing excellent legal counsel. We know what you're going through, and we will do all we can to help make the experience easier for you.
You can rest assured that we will work tirelessly to get you the fair and just compensation you deserve after a drunk driving accident, no matter the obstacles.
We obtain compensation for our clients by filing personal injury claims with the responsible party's insurance company or filing suit against the responsible party directly. The majority of accident claims are resolved with a settlement before the case ever goes to court.
In a settlement, the injured party agrees to accept an amount of compensation and drop any legal claim they have against the liable party. If we’re unable to agree on a fair settlement, we will move forward with filing a lawsuit in Oregon civil court and leveraging the strength of the case we develop to fight for a favorable outcome.
It's almost impossible to determine the amount of compensation you may obtain without a thorough review of your case since every accident and settlement is unique. However, in most cases, the more severe your injury, the more valuable your case may be.
You can be compensated for a variety of losses related to the accident, material and otherwise. Some losses relate to the financial cost of living with or treating your injuries, and some relate to your mental state and overall well-being. Determining the amount to demand is best done with the help of a qualified lawyer.
Losses with a verifiable monetary value are called economic damages. Some examples include:
Losses that are subjective, intangible, and not financial in nature are called non-economic damages. Some examples include:
In a drunk driving case in Oregon, you may be able to additionally pursue punitive damages, which are designed to punish the at-fault party for especially egregious behavior and deter others from engaging in similar behavior. While punitive damages are rarely awarded in personal injury cases, some drunk driving cases involve extreme negligence that may warrant this type of compensation.
Talk to your attorney to see which types of compensation are appropriate for your drunk driving claim.
Oregon law states you have only two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit against the responsible party, so don’t wait to get the legal help you deserve. Call Siefman Law LLC today at 503-395-2135 for a free consultation. We will listen to your story and help you understand your best options for moving forward. Contact us today.