Susak and Powell P.C.
Top
 
1. Why should I hire Susak and Powell?

You Need Someone Who:

  • Knows the law
  • Knows the value of your claim
  • Is willing to stand up to the insurance company and fight for your rights
  • Has a long established reputation for achieving fair results for their clients in a professional manner
  • Cares about you

The insurance company will try and convince you to accept as little money as possible to settle your claim. They are not in the business of looking after your best interests.


2. What will it cost for an initial consultation?

Nothing, the initial consultation is free.

Back to Top


3. Can I afford to hire your firm?

Yes. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis. If we do not recover any money for you, you do not have to pay an attorney fee. Our fee will be a percentage of the money we recover for you. In most cases, we pay the costs incurred in handling your case so you don’t have to pay anything until the claim is concluded. However, Oregon rules require that all costs we advance be repaid by you from the recovery.

Back to Top


4. Will I have to go to court?

Probably not. Nearly all cases are settled without going to trial. However, we handle each case as if it would go to trial which helps to achieve a good result for you. If the insurance company fails to make a fair offer to settle your case, our highly experienced trial lawyers will go to trial
for you.

Back to Top


5. How long will this process take?

Each case is different. We can’t evaluate your case and try to resolve it until you are "medically stationary." That occurs when you have recovered from your injuries, or your doctor has determined that your condition will not likely get better or worse in the foreseeable future. Once you are medically stationary, we collect the final records, evaluate your case, discuss our recommendations with you and obtain your approval, and then submit a settlement demand to the insurance company.

If your case is not resolved with your approval through settlement negotiations, we will file it in court or take other appropriate action to try and achieve a fair result for you. If your case is filed in court, it generally takes 12-15 months from the date it is filed to go to a jury trial, or less if your case is eligible for arbitration.

Back to Top


6. What information should I be collecting?

The more information you provide us, the better job we can do in representing you and avoiding unnecessary expenses. You should save everything related to your case, including the things noted below:

  • All notes you took down at the accident scene or any time thereafter
  • Photos, repair estimates, and repair bills of the damage to your car or any other things involved in the accident
  • Photos of the accident scene
  • Photos of your injuries
  • Names, addresses and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident, including witnesses
  • Names, addresses, phone numbers and claim numbers of responsible person’s insurance company, as well as the name and phone number of the adjuster handling the claim.
  • Medical bills, including prescriptions, and any other expenses you have
  • Doctors’ notes authorizing you to be off work
  • Police reports
  • Copy of any reports you filed with DMV, your own insurance company, or
    anyone else
  • All letters from any insurance company, including your own
  • Names, addresses and phone numbers of all medical providers who treat you

Back to Top


7. What should I not do?

Anything you say or write down for others about your injuries or your claim could be used against you. Therefore, you should not discuss your case with anyone except your family, medical providers who treat you, and your attorney.

  • Do not talk with the insurance company for the party responsible for your accident. Always require identification from anyone who questions you about
    your claim.
  • You need to cooperate with your own insurance company. However, if they contact you, or ask you to fill out forms, you should tell them to contact your attorney.
  • Do not fail to get good, consistent medical care for the injuries you suffered.
  • Accurately describe your injuries and the ways they are affecting your life when you see any medical provider. This will help you get better medical care and will document your injuries in the records. Do not minimize or exaggerate your condition in any way.

Back to Top


8. Who pays my medical bills and lost wages if I have been injured in an auto accident?

Under Oregon law, the insurance company of the car you were driving or riding in when you were injured has PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage to pay at least $15,000.00 of the reasonable and necessary medical bills you incur within one year after the collision. They will also pay 70% of your lost wages up to a maximum of $1,250.00 per month if you are off work at least two weeks with a doctor’s authorization. That coverage is for 52 weeks. Your PIP coverage may be greater than the above amounts.

If you were in someone else’s car and have auto insurance of your own, you should have coverage to pay more medical bills and lost wages if the insurance limits of the car in which you were driving or riding are exhausted.

Other rules apply if you are a pedestrian or bicyclist and are struck by a motor vehicle.

The insurance companies will collect the money they pay for your medical bills and lost wages from the insurance company of the party responsible for causing the accident.

Back to Top

 

DISCLAIMER

The information in this site is intended to provide general information only. You should not assume that it applies to your case without consulting with our firm. Contacting our firm by phone, e-mail, mail, or requesting an initial consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Certain time limitations may apply to your case, so you should promptly seek legal advice from an attorney to protect your rights.

This web site may be considered advertising by the Oregon State Bar rules. You should make decisions regarding legal representation after consulting with an attorney, not based on any type of advertising.
 
Base