• Home |
• Resources |
• FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1) I’ve just been in an accident, what do I do now?

If you or a member of your family has been involved in a serious auto accident, trucking accident, or motorcycle accident, there are some steps you should take to protect your current and future ability to maximize auto insurance coverage compensation and benefits you are entitled to for any injuries you may have sustained.

• Collect all possible information about the car accident (this also pertains to truck or motorcycle accidents).
• If possible, get the name and phone number of any witness who saw the accident.
• Write down a description of the events immediately preceding and following the car accident. Memories fade and a written record can help remind you of the exact order of events.
• Take photographs of the scene, damage to the vehicles and any visible injuries.
• Make sure you visit a doctor if you have been injured. Follow the doctor's advice and obtain all recommended and necessary medical treatments.
• Report all injuries even if they are minor. Having a record of the injury will increase your chances of financial recovery if your medical condition worsens.
• Do not sign any documents presented to you by any insurance company - even your own insurance company.
• Seek out an experienced and qualified personal injury or auto accident attorney. D’Amore & Associates has received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating for legal services provided and professional ethics.

2) How much is my case worth?

The value of your case is dependent on the specific factors of the accident or incident. Each claim is unique and the value is determined by a number of variables including, but not limited to, how much medical treatment is necessary, how much lost wages or lost earning potential is determined, how much projected future medical treatment is necessary, and how much pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life was caused by this accident or incident. Our attorneys can only give an estimate of how much they believe your case is worth after fully reviewing all medical records, employment records and the individual facts of your specific situation.

3) How do my medical bills get paid?

In some states, private auto insurance policies may contain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Med Pay (this is optional in California and Washington policies). This coverage will pay for your medical bills and wage loss up to the policy limits which are determined by your specific policy. Your insurance company will pay for reasonable and medically necessary medical treatment and they are typically reimbursed from the insurance company of the at-fault driver. If your injuries and the cost of care exceed the PIP policy limits, then you may be able to use private health insurance to cover unpaid bills.

4) Do I have to pay attorney fees up front in my case?

No, cases are taken on a contingency fee basis meaning that the attorney fees are taken out of any settlement that we effectively negotiate for you or award won at trial. If we do not settle your case before trial, or are not successful at trial, you do not have to pay any attorney fees.

5) How long will this process take?

This depends on how much medical treatment you are getting and how quickly we are able to come to an agreement with the insurance company on an acceptable settlement. Usually cases are completed between 6 and 18 months after our involvement.

6) What is the likelihood that my case will settle versus going to court?

Not all cases are taken to trial. The majority of cases are settled before a trial is necessary. D’Amore & Associates has a reputation among insurance companies for taking cases to trial if a reasonable offer is not made by the insurance company. If a reasonable settlement is not offered, and you have a strong case, our attorneys will aggressively pursue the matter in court. If your case is going to trial, we will make sure you are fully prepared to testify and are educated on how the process works.

7) Do I get a free consultation?

Yes. There is no cost for the initial consultation with our attorneys.

The personal injury attorney at D’Amore & Associates have successfully represented personal injury clients and their families throughout Oregon, Washington and California. We represent cases in metropolitan Portland and Seattle, and the cities of Vancouver, Bend, Redmond, LaPine, Camas, Longview, Spokane, Salem, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Eugene, Clackamas, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Medford, Roseburg, Grants Pass, Seaside, Coos Bay, Astoria, Lincoln City, Tacoma and the Tri-City area of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco.

Legal information contained in this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor should the “contact us” information be interpreted as an attorney-client relationship. Case results will vary, dependent upon the facts of each individual case. D'Amore & Associates does not offer a guarantee of positive case results. All potential clients are urged to make an independent evaluation of any personal injury lawyer under consideration. We urge potential clients to review our website, our experience and credentials.