Recovering Compensation after a Drunk Driving Accident
At the Law Offices of Timothy Grabe, we have represented a number of clients who have been involved in adrunk driving accident in Portland, OR. Throughout the three decades that we have been taking on such cases, we have found that many accident victims are unsure of what steps they will need to take in order to recover the compensation that they deserve. The costs associated with anauto collision of any kind can be pretty steep, especially if an injury has occurred, so we thought that it was important to inform all potential clients of what action they can take if they have been struck by an intoxicated driver.
As unfortunate as it may be, failing to protect your rights from the beginning may jeopardize your ability to recover monetary damages later on, so the Portland personal injury attorney at our firm encourages you to keep a few simple steps in mind. First, it is important that you avoid making any sort of statement to the other driver or an insurance adjuster about the circumstances of the accident. Although it may be a good idea to speak to a law enforcement officer about the specifics of the collision, anything you say to an insurance company may be manipulated in their favor.
Since their singular goal is to compensate you with as little money as possible, they may begin calling you immediately after the collision and asking you to make a recorded statement about the cause of the accident and/or your injuries. They are experienced in asking questions in a manner that will provide them with the answers that they are looking for, so it is highly recommended that you hold off on saying anything until you have the chance to consult with a lawyer. Next, you should waste no time in speaking to a legal professional about the course of action that you will need to take in order to recover rightful compensation.
After a drunk driving accident, you may have the opportunity to negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement—which should be enough to cover the cost of your vehicle repairs and reimburse you for any acquired medical treatment—but if they refuse to make a suitable offer, you may need to explore other options. By enlisting the help of an experienced lawyer, you can discuss your chances for recover if you were to pursue apersonal injury lawsuit. As long as there is sufficient evidence to support your claim that the other driver was legally intoxicated at the time of the collision, you should not have a problem doing so.
As such, our firm encourages you to contact a Portland injury lawyer today if you are looking for assistance in filing an insurance claim or pursing a lawsuit. The initial consultation is free when you call us at 971-645-7176, so do not hesitate to get started today.
