DUI Accidents in Portland, OR

DUI Accidents in Portland, OR

You deserve compensation if you were injured in a drunk driving car accident in Portland, Oregon. The experienced personal injury attorneys with Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you file a claim and receive money for things like your medical bills, lost wages, repair costs, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and more. 

To date, our Portland DUI accident lawyers have obtained millions of dollars of compensation for deserving personal injury victims. Our attorneys have a total of 17 years of combined experience and have been recognized as Super Lawyers and Top 100 Trial Lawyers. We can put that track record and expertise on your side beginning today.

Contact us at (503) 773-3333 to set up a completely free, no-pressure case evaluation. We’re available 24/7 to take your call.

How Can Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a DUI Accident in Portland?

DUI accidents are unlike many other types of car accidents in that they involve deliberate criminal behavior. They also should never occur, should people exercise good judgment and utilize other means of transportation. Unfortunately, there is a DUI fatality in the State of Oregon roughly every other day, on average.

Not only do you deserve compensation if you’ve been hurt in a Portland, Oregon, DUI accident, but you deserve justice. Regardless of whether the drunk driver is convicted of DUI, you may be able to pursue a civil claim against them for your losses.

Hiring our personal injury law firm to help with your case means you’ll have a legal team to:

  • Investigate the circumstances surrounding your DUI accident to collect evidence and understand the full extent of the losses you’ve suffered
  • Negotiate a settlement agreement on your behalf and handle all of the paperwork and communications
  • Bring your case to court and even all the way to trial if that’s in your best interest
  • Provide you with a personal injury claim strategy tailored to your unique situation, ensuring all damages such as medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress are thoroughly documented and pursued
  • Assist you in navigating the complexities of insurance claims and potential disputes with insurance companies that often undervalue claims related to drunk driving accidents
  • Offer guidance on related legal issues including potential wrongful death claims if your loved one was fatally injured in the accident
  • Help you understand your rights under Oregon’s hybrid insurance system, including how to utilize Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and pursue claims against the at-fault driver
  • Represent you in hearings related to license suspension or other criminal charges that may arise from the DUI accident

Contact our law office in Portland today for further information about how we can help with your drunk driving accident case. Our personal injury attorneys in Portland are ready to get started.

How Much Is My Portland DUI Accident Case Worth?

The value of your DUI accident case in Portland is based on many factors, many of which are fact-specific. For instance, although Oregon is an “at fault” state when it comes to car insurance, drivers are also required to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.

This is a form of no-fault coverage that can provide some relief in the event of an accident, regardless of whose fault the crash was. However, PIP can only make up for some types of losses and might not reflect the actual value of your claim. For instance, you cannot receive non-economic (pain and suffering) damages from your PIP insurance.

In addition to the terms of any applicable insurance policies, the following factors could influence the value of your case:

  • The severity of the injuries you’ve sustained
  • The extent to which you’ve had to miss work due to the accident
  • Whether you will make a full medical recovery
  • How old you were at the time of the DUI accident
  • The availability of evidence in support of your claim

The best way to find out how much your case might be worth is to set up your free case review with our experienced Portland car accident attorneys. We can provide personalized insight into the topic once we’ve learned more about your situation.

What to do After a Portland Drunk Driving Accident

If you are involved in a drunk driving accident in Portland, it is crucial to take immediate and appropriate steps to protect your health, legal rights, and chances of receiving fair compensation. Here are important actions to consider after such an incident:

  1. Ensure Safety and Call for Help
    First and foremost, check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately to get medical assistance. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s wise to get checked by medical professionals as some symptoms may appear later.
  2. Contact Law Enforcement
    Report the accident to the police. Having an official police report can be vital evidence for your personal injury claim. The responding officers will document the scene, collect statements, and may perform field sobriety tests or other assessments on the suspected drunk driver.
  3. Gather Evidence at the Scene
    If you are able, collect as much information as possible. This includes taking photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, visible injuries, and any relevant road conditions or traffic signs. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s), and try to get contact details of any witnesses.
  4. Avoid Admitting Fault or Making Statements
    Be cautious about what you say at the scene or afterward. Avoid admitting fault or apologizing, as these statements can be used against you later. It’s best to provide facts only and let your attorney handle communications with insurance companies and other parties.
  5. Seek Medical Treatment Promptly
    Even if you feel fine, some injuries from drunk driving accidents may not be immediately apparent. Prompt medical evaluation not only protects your health but also creates a record that can support your injury claim.
  6. Notify Your Insurance Company
    Inform your insurance provider about the accident as soon as possible. Provide necessary details but avoid discussing fault or speculating about the cause of the accident.
  7. Consult a Portland DUI Accident Lawyer
    Engaging an experienced Portland DUI accident lawyer early can make a significant difference in your case. A skilled attorney will guide you through the legal process, help gather additional evidence such as blood alcohol content reports, and advocate for your rights. They can also assist in navigating insurance claims, negotiating settlements, and, if necessary, taking your case to court.
  8. Preserve Documentation
    Keep all records related to the accident, including medical bills, repair estimates, correspondence with insurance companies, and any legal documents. This documentation will be important for accurately calculating your damages and proving your case.

Taking these steps after a Portland drunk driving accident can protect your interests and increase your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Remember, you don’t have to face this challenging situation alone—help is available from dedicated legal professionals who understand the complexities of DUI accident claims in Oregon.

How Do I Prove Liability for a DUI Accident in Oregon?

Most car accident cases require you to prove that the at-fault driver was negligent, which is a legal term that means something in the ballpark of “carelessness.” There are four legal elements required to establish negligence:

As the injured victim, you will need to supply evidence in support of each element. The burden of proof standard is “by a preponderance of the evidence,” which is significantly easier to establish than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard found in criminal law.

This is one reason why the party who caused your DUI accident might be acquitted in a criminal court but then found liable in civil court.

DUI cases can be easier to win than other types of car accident cases insofar as the first two elements listed above are almost certainly met. Drivers owe a duty of care to other drivers in terms of following the laws of the road and driving safely. It is difficult to argue that driving drunk does not constitute a violation of that duty.

While you can pursue economic and non-economic damages as part of a DUI accident claim, you might also have a relatively higher chance of receiving punitive damages.

These damages are reserved for rare cases where the defendant acted with extreme recklessness or with the intent to cause harm, qualities that a drunk driver is more likely to possess than the average at-fault car accident driver. Still, punitive damages are not awarded in most cases.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Trusted Portland DUI Accident Lawyer Today

Compensation might not be far out of reach if you’ve been involved in an accident with an impaired driver in Portland, OR. Your PIP policy could offer some relief, but it can only make up for certain categories of losses. Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you file a claim and receive money for virtually every consequence of the accident.

Our Portland DUI accident attorneys work on contingency, so you won’t pay us anything upfront to hire us. We will receive payment as a percentage of the financial award we obtain for you at the end of your case.

When you choose to work with us, you gain direct access to experienced attorneys who specialize in DUI and drunk driving accident cases. We understand the complexities of Oregon law and are committed to providing personal attention to your case from start to finish. Unlike firms that pass you off to an assistant or junior attorney, our clients work directly with seasoned Portland DUI lawyers who advocate fiercely on their behalf.

Our legal team is well-versed in handling insurance claims, negotiating with insurance companies, and pursuing both economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and repair costs, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

We also assist clients in seeking punitive damages in cases involving egregious conduct by the drunk driver.

If your loved one has been seriously injured or lost their life due to a drunk driving accident, we can help you file a wrongful death claim and pursue full financial recovery to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and other losses. Our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving favorable settlements and verdicts for victims of catastrophic injuries caused by impaired drivers.

Scheduling a free case evaluation with Tillmann Law means you can discuss your legal options without any financial obligation. We will review the details of your accident, explain your rights, and outline the best strategies to maximize your compensation.

Our goal is to relieve your legal burdens so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life after a traumatic event.

Contact us today to get started with a trusted Portland DUI lawyer who will stand by your side throughout the entire process and fight to protect your interests in court and beyond.

Contact us online today for more information about how we can help with your DUI accident case.

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