Handling Personal Injury Claims in Portland and Throughout Oregon
Has an injury accident in Portland, Oregon caused by someone else left you reeling from physical pain and stressed out over financial and long-term physical consequences?
This predicament might leave you feeling angry and even frightened.
Know that you do not have to face this situation alone. Rizk Law is here to stand by your side.
We have a long history of helping people just like you.
Our team knows how to tackle tough cases to get you the compensation you deserve. At Rizk Law, we handle personal injury cases ranging from truck accidents and car crashes to slip-and-fall and workplace injuries, helping clients recover for medical bills, lost income, and long-term care.
Further, our lawyers know how insurance companies think — because founder Richard Rizk was once on their side.
Do not let the burden of an injury accident weigh you down any longer. Contact Rizk Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Visit Our Portland Office
Come visit us at our office in Portland, Oregon. We are conveniently located near you at:
434 South Iowa Street
Portland, OR 97239
Speak with a Portland personal injury attorney from our law firm about how to get just compensation for your accident losses.
Recent Personal Injury Settlements & Verdicts
$695,000 Settlement for PDX Rent-a-Car Head Injury Case
A shuttle driver at PDX was hit by an SUV while crossing an airport parking lot, resulting in a head injury after striking the pavement and losing consciousness.
There were no witnesses to the incident. The insurer disputed the claim, arguing the driver was at fault and attributing the brain injury to pot smoking. The driver’s spouse also filed a claim for loss of affection. The matter proceeded to litigation.
$625,000 Settlement in Head-On Collision Caused by Intoxicated Driver Involving Postal Worker
An off-duty postal worker was driving home after a 12-hour shift on December 26 when another driver, who had been overserved at two bars and was allegedly three times over the legal alcohol limit, traveled along a rural road without headlights and collided head-on with the worker’s vehicle.
The client sustained PTSD, including recurring nightmares, as well as a fracture to the right arm that required multiple shoulder surgeries.
$375,000 Settlement for Ride-Share Collision Caused by Red-Light Violation
A ride-share passenger was injured when the driver ran a red light and T-boned another vehicle.
The client sustained injuries to the left shoulder, neck, and back, including two cervical disc herniations, and ultimately underwent neck surgery to address the damage.
See What our Clients are Saying
Jacqueline was terrific. Made it so easy! Took care of all the intricate details, great communication, and I got a higher settlement than I was expecting. Do yourself a favor and let her handle your case for you!
– KB M.
Why Choose Our Portland Personal Injury Lawyers?
For over 20 years, Rizk Law has supported injured Oregonians through the process of pursuing maximum compensation for their financial and personal losses.
We’ve recovered millions for our deserving clients, including a $1.25 million trial verdict for a pedestrian who sustained a brain injury and broken bones when a commercial driver hit them.* As our client Shane M. put it, “These lawyers perform at a level to the likes I have never seen….. Thank all of you…”
Contact us today to find out how we can help you.
What Will a Portland Personal Injury Lawyer Do for My Case?
An unexpected injury can leave you feeling overwhelmed and burdened by unexpected challenges.
A skilled personal injury lawyer at the Portland office of Rizk Law can lighten your load. On your road to recovery, we will:
- Evaluate all aspects of your claim
- Gather evidence in support of your claim(s)
- Identify all potential sources of compensation to maximize your recovery
- Promptly communicate with other parties on your behalf
- Negotiate with insurance companies and any lienholders
- Protect you from insurer tactics to undermine your claim
- Negotiate settlement(s) that accurately reflect the full impact of your trauma
- Dissect settlement offers to ensure they meet your needs
- Advocate for your best interests in court should your case proceed to trial
Richard Rizk, founder of Rizk Law, provides a powerful advantage to Rizk Law clients because of his deep understanding of the insurers and their tactics. Mr. Rizk has decades of relevant experience as a former injury claims defense attorney for national insurers and Oregon’s largest workers’ compensation insurance company.
With that background, Richard knows insurer strategies and vulnerabilities.
He knows what motivates insurers to pay large claims as he has authorized such payments himself. In short, Richard knows how to pressure insurers to play and pay fair, maximizing your opportunity for a successful outcome.
Steps to Take After Suffering an Injury in Portland
After a personal injury accident in Portland, you should:
- Make an incident report with the police, the property manager, or another authority.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene if you’re able.
- Gather contact information from any witnesses.
- Save all medical records, accident reports, receipts, and other related documentation.
Your top priority should be getting the medical care you need. Then, reach out to an Oregon personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Proving Negligence in an Injury Claim
In a personal injury claim, the claimant must prove that someone else’s actions or failure to act was a “substantial factor” causing your injuries, or that the injury would not have occurred “but for” another’s negligence.
Injuries can include financial, including medical expenses or lost wages, and “pain and suffering.”
Evidence that Rizk Law attorneys may use to support a personal injury claim include:
- Medical records
- Photographs of the injury
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Video footage of the accident
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Accident reports
- Expert testimony
- Medical bills
- Employment records
- Journal entries
- Forensic reports
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Vehicle or equipment maintenance records
- Cell phone records
- Social media posts
Types of Damages in a Portland Personal Injury Claim
There are three main types of personal injury damages:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are compensation for the measurable financial costs of the accident.
Medical expenses and lost wages are usually the two primary financial losses, but this category might also include out-of-pocket expenses and property damage.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are compensation for intangible losses you’ve experienced, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
While these losses can be more challenging to calculate, they can also account for a substantial portion of a personal injury claim.
Punitive Damages
Unlike the other types, punitive damages are not meant to compensate you for losses.
Instead, these damages are intended to punish the defendant for extremely reckless or intentional conduct, as well as to deter similar future behavior.
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How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
Your personal injury case’s worth depends on the unique facts of your claim, including:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- How they’re likely to affect you going forward
- The scale of your financial losses
Every case is different. An experienced personal injury lawyer from Rizk Law can review the facts and help you understand how much your claim could be worth.
Portland Personal Injury FAQs
Can I Still Get Compensation If I Was Partly to Blame for My Injuries?
Yes. Oregon law allows compensation even if you were partly to blame for your injuries.
However, should you be determined partially at fault, the decision-maker will reduce compensation by your percentage of fault. But, if you are more than 50 percent at fault, you will be barred from any recovery.
That is one of many reasons why working with a knowledgeable attorney from Rizk Law as soon as possible is so important. Your Rizk Law attorney will gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf, to get you the full extent of compensation you are due.
How Soon Should I Start a Personal Injury Claim?
If you are injured because of someone else’s actions, you should consult with a lawyer right away.
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather relevant evidence, such as witnesses and videos, that may help your claim. Memories fade, and physical proof deteriorates over time. Time is not on your side!
Rizk Law can help by identifying and collecting valuable evidence needed to fully and accurately present your claim. We understand how to approach these situations and can fight to get you the compensation you need for your recovery.
The best way to protect your rights is to reach out to a lawyer from Rizk Law as soon as possible.
How Long Do I Have in Oregon to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If you are hurt because of someone else’s actions in Oregon, you have limited time to file a lawsuit seeking compensation.
For most personal injury cases, the deadline is two years from the day of the accident. Should you wait too long, the court will not consider your claim. If that happens you will not be able to pursue compensation for your injuries, regardless of the merits.
Do not risk missing crucial deadlines because you waited too long to hire counsel. Call Rizk Law today without delay.
How Long Does a Typical Personal Injury Case Last?
The duration of a personal injury case can vary widely.
A straightforward case might settle in a few months, especially if the facts are clear and the other side is willing to agree to the settlement you deserve. However, if there are disagreements about who was at fault or how much the injury has affected your life, the case might take longer, sometimes even a year or more.
If a case goes to court, it usually takes longer due to the complex legal process and the court’s busy schedule. The best way to avoid delays in your case is to work with a lawyer from day one.
Rizk Law will keep things moving forward as quickly as possible.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Portland Personal Injury Lawyer?
Rizk Law works on contingency.
We don’t charge attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. We believe every injured person deserves strong legal representation and shouldn’t have to assume financial risk to access it.
Should I Accept a Settlement or go to Trial?
It depends on your situation. We’d be glad to discuss the pros and cons of both options.
However, the key thing to be aware of is that you shouldn’t accept an insurance company’s initial offer without first consulting a Portland personal injury attorney – it’s likely far less than you actually deserve.
What Should I do to Protect my Case?
Key actions to protect your case include:
- Get medical treatment right away and follow the doctor’s recommendations to support your recovery.
- Avoid discussing your case with others or posting about it on social media.
- Act quickly to file your case before the personal injury statute of limitations expires.
Seek legal representation as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney can protect you from accidentally jeopardizing your case.
How Should I Deal with Insurance Companies after an Accident?
When you must speak to an insurance company, avoid giving them anything more than the basic facts about when and where the accident occurred and who was involved.
Otherwise, refer insurance adjusters to your attorney, who can navigate tactics designed to minimize your claim or jeopardize your right to seek compensation.
