Accidents can occur even in the best circumstances, however, when one or more parties are committing a criminal offense that results in an injury, it can be overwhelming trying to understand the best course of action to seek help. If you are the victim of a crime in a car accident in Oregon, state law allows for a variety of ways to get the financial and emotional compensation you need to care for yourself and your loved ones.
Keith Dozier Trial Attorney and his associates have litigated personal injury claims against defendants of all sizes with multiple verdicts awarding over $1 Million to clients. The team understands the prevalence of these types of crimes and the weight which these injuries have on those who suffer from them.
Crimes that May Result in a Car Accident or Injury
Crimes involving motor vehicles are widely prevalent, and many result in a crash accident or injury. Some of the most common crimes that result in an injury due to a crash are ones where the driver was acting recklessly or under the influence.
Related Article: Understanding Your Rights After a Car Accident in Oregon
DUI
Despite endless campaigns warning of the dangers of driving under the influence, millions of Americans are charged with DUI every year. Penalties that can result from a DUI are steep in Oregon, starting at a minimum of two days in jail or eighty hours of community service for a first offense, with penalties getting exponentially steeper with each offense. If a DUI results in an accident or an injury, the results can be potentially devastating for the individuals involved.
Hit-and-Run
Fleeing the scene of an accident is a criminal offense, and fleeing a scene where there is an injury involved is an even steeper fine. More often than not, those who commit hit-and-runs are never found, and those that are found may not be insured or have the means to provide compensation.
For victims of hit-and-runs, there are still ways of getting the compensation you deserve. A personal injury attorney is the best partner to assist you in understanding your recovery options.
Reckless Driving
Any form of reckless driving, such as egregiously speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, or tailgating, may result in devastating accidents and is considered a criminal offense. A personal injury can help victims of reckless driving recover their losses.
Fleeing the Police
Nationally, around 250,000 high-speed chases happen every year, and around 6,000 to 8,000 of them end in crashes. Becoming the victim of an accident due to a person fleeing the police is often sudden and unexpected. A personal injury attorney can work with the justice system and insurance providers to ensure that you get the care you need for your injuries.
Vehicular Manslaughter
Accidents that result in loss are devastating for those who knew, cared for, and relied on the victim. When the loss is a result of another’s recklessness or criminal behavior, it is understandable for emotions to be strong. In cases where a car accident leads to the worst possible outcome, a compassionate attorney is necessary to do the work of handling the case and getting loved ones the resources they need so that loved ones can begin the process of grieving and healing.
What are My Options if I am the Victim of a Crime?
Even if you believe that your injuries are not that severe, it is still crucial to contact a successful, proven personal injury attorney when you are the victim of a crime in a car accident in Oregon. A trusted attorney knows the stressful toll of an injury due to a car accident and can offer you counsel and resources that you would not otherwise have access to.
One option that your personal injury attorney may pursue is to seek compensation for both actual and punitive damages from your insurance provider or from the insurance party of the responsible party. This compensation may be pursued in settlement or court trial. For instance, where a case may need to go to court, it is crucial to have a lawyer on your side with trial experience, a trait that many lawyers from generic, commercial, and national firms may not have.
If the responsible party is charged with a crime, it may be possible to collect compensation from the fine they pay as a penalty. Often, there are many channels that an attorney can pursue to get victims the coverage they need to take care of themselves and their loved ones.
Personal Injury Attorney for a Car Accident in Oregon
If you feel that you are not receiving the compensation you deserve, you have a right to contact an attorney and seek compensation. We have proven results, including a unanimous jury verdict for $19 million. We have achieved numerous recoveries in excess of a million dollars for severely injured clients. Contact us today to request a free case evaluation.