Portland Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
EXPERIENCED DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING INJURED PERSONS IN THE GREATER PORTLAND, OREGON AREA
Portland is home to numerous local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. This active nightlife attracts tourists from all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond and has earned Portland the nickname “Beervana.” Unfortunately, there has also been an increase in alcohol-related car accidents and fatalities lately.
If a drunk driver injured you or someone you love, you may need a law firm on your side. It may be critical to act quickly as shorter time deadlines may apply to certain at-fault actors in a drunk driving case. When you contact the Portland injury firm at Schauermann Thayer, you can rest easier knowing you have a team of dedicated attorneys fighting for you and your rights. You can contact us today by filling out a contact form, or calling now (360) 695-4244 to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Our Portland Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers?
At Schauermann Thayer, our Portland drunk driving accident lawyers have nearly 40 years of experience helping injured accident victims. We know that drunk driving cases are often complex and unique. They typically involve a criminal case, as well as a civil one. While the police and prosecutors are busy collecting evidence to potentially press charges against the drunk driver, you may need someone on your side that can fight for your civil law rights.
Let us take the legal burdens off your shoulders after a devastating drunk driving crash. Our Portland injury law firm offers free initial consultations for all injured accident victims and their families. We want to answer your questions and help you explore your legal options, so you can choose the path that is best for you.
Common Injuries Caused by Drunk Drivers
Drunk driving accidents are often catastrophic and can result in serious, life-changing injuries, including:
- Broken bones;
- Internal bleeding;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Disfigurement and amputation; and/or
- Soft tissue injuries.
Sadly, many of these injuries can lead to a lifetime of pain and suffering. They can cause significant and permanent impairment and cause serious setbacks in your life.
Drunk Driving Accidents in Portland
Drunk driving accidents are a leading cause of death and injury on our nation’s roads. In Portland, these accidents occur far too often. In fact, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation, there were nearly 500 drunk driving crashes in Portland in 2019 alone. These crashes resulted in over 200 injuries and 18 deaths, which was a significant increase from 2015.
In Portland, and throughout the state of Oregon, anyone caught driving with a blood alcohol content limit of 0.08% may be guilty of driving intoxicated. These drivers can face serious criminal consequences if they cause injury or harm to another person.
When a drunk driver hits you, the police and prosecutors in Portland may file criminal charges against the drunk driver. While the criminal case is ongoing, however, injured accident victims often feel they also need representation for their civil claims. You may need someone on your side to protect your rights and to file a civil claim against the drunk driver. Call us today.
Who is to Blame After a Drunk Driving Accident in Portland?
Determining who is at fault can be tricky when you’re involved in a drunk driving accident. If the other driver was intoxicated, they might bear liability for
your damages
Accidents that involve intoxicated drivers seem like a clear-cut case of liability. But what if both drivers were drinking?
Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence law. This means that an injured accident victim can collect compensation as long as they are not 51% responsible for the crash.
What does this mean for injured accident victims? It means that even if you are partly to blame for the accident, you may still seek compensation. However, the amount of your award may be decreased by your percentage of liability. For example, suppose the courts determine that you are 20 percent to blame for the accident and award you $100,000 in damages. Because you bear 20 percent liability for the crash, you would potentially collect $80,000 in damages. There can be other limitations on damages in situations where the injury person shares in liability.2
In some cases, the bar or establishment that served the drunk driver can bear liability for your injuries and the damages that resulted. Oregon’s dram shop laws state that an injured person could potentially hold an alcohol vendor liable if they continued to provide alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person, depending on the circumstances.
Holding a restaurant, bar, or other entity responsible for your accident is not always easy. It can require gathering solid evidence and interviewing eyewitnesses. For this reason, it can be essential to contact an experienced Portland drunk driving accident lawyer today.
Contact Our Portland Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Today
If a Portland drunk driver caused you harm, we can help. At Schauermann Thayer, we know that injured drunk driving accident victims may need someone on their side from the beginning. Insurance companies may not waste any time trying to get you to sign the lowest settlement they can. Do not sign anything until you speak with an attorney.
Contact Schauermann Thayer to explore your legal options in a free consultation. You can contact us today by filling out a contact form, or calling now (360) 695-4244 to schedule a free consultation.
