Portland Injury Attorney

Work with Injury Lawyers Who Care About You

When you are pursuing damages through a personal injury claim, it is important to hire an attorney who has extensive experience dealing with insurance. Experienced Portland injury attorney Tim Grabe understands the tactics used by insurance companies, and he will work hard to retain fair and just compensation for his clients. Before settling an injury claim with your insurance company, ensure that you are receiving the amount that you deserve by contacting our law firm.

Common Injuries in Portland

• Bicycle Accident – Cyclists are extremely vulnerable on the road. Collisions often happen when drivers fail to yield, drift into bike lanes, or drive distracted, resulting in serious injuries such as fractures, head trauma, and road rash.
• Broken Bones & Fractures – Sudden impacts from car crashes, falls, and pedestrian accidents frequently cause fractures that require casting, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation.
• Burn Injury – Fires, electrical malfunctions, chemical exposure, and industrial accidents can cause severe burns that require extensive medical care, skin grafting, and long-term follow-up treatment.
• Car Accident – A leading cause of serious injuries, often resulting from speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, and unsafe road conditions. Victims may suffer physical, emotional, and financial harm.
• Catastrophic Injury – Life-changing injuries, including paralysis, amputations, severe brain damage, or permanent disability, that dramatically affect a victim’s ability to work or live independently.
• Construction Accident – One of the most dangerous work environments, where falls, collapsing structures, heavy machinery, and electrical hazards frequently cause severe injuries to workers and bystanders.
• Daycare Negligence – When childcare providers fail to supervise children, maintain safe conditions, or follow safety protocols, resulting in preventable injuries and emotional harm.
• Delivery Truck Accident – Commercial delivery vehicles pose significant risks due to size, blind spots, and tight delivery schedules. Collisions often cause serious or catastrophic injuries.
• Distracted Driving Accident – Crashes caused by texting, phone use, eating, or other distractions behind the wheel. These accidents frequently result in rear-end collisions and high-impact injuries.
• Dog Bite – Dog attacks can cause deep lacerations, puncture wounds, infections, scarring, and psychological trauma. Children are especially vulnerable.
• Drunk Driving Accident – Impaired drivers cause devastating and often fatal crashes. These incidents typically involve high speeds, delayed reaction times, and significant damages.
• Electrical Injury – Exposure to live wires, faulty equipment, or unsafe worksites can lead to shocks, burns, nerve damage, or death.
• Hit & Run – Accidents where the at-fault driver flees the scene, leaving injured victims to navigate complex insurance and legal processes to pursue compensation.
• Insurance Claims – Insurance companies frequently delay, deny, or undervalue legitimate claims, leaving victims struggling to obtain fair compensation.
• Internal Injuries – High-impact collisions, falls, or being struck by objects can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and other life-threatening conditions requiring emergency care.
• Joint Injuries (knees, shoulders, wrists) – Common in falls, car accidents, and workplace incidents. These injuries often require surgery and long-term physical therapy.
• Logging Accident – A high-risk industry where workers face dangers from falling trees, heavy equipment, unstable terrain, and unsafe work conditions.
• Motorcycle Accident – Motorcyclists lack protection, making them prone to catastrophic injuries when other drivers fail to check blind spots, follow traffic laws, or see them on the road.
• Negligence – A failure to use reasonable care that results in preventable injuries. Negligence is the foundation of many personal injury claims.
• Pedestrian Accident – Pedestrians face severe consequences when struck by vehicles in crosswalks, parking lots, or roadways. These accidents often cause traumatic injuries.
• Premises Liability – Property owners may be held responsible when unsafe conditions—such as spills, uneven flooring, poor lighting, or inadequate security—cause injuries to visitors.
• Product Liability – Injuries caused by defective consumer goods, machinery, tools, medical devices, or other products that malfunction or lack proper warnings.
• Psychological Trauma (PTSD, emotional distress) – Serious accidents and injuries often result in emotional harm, including anxiety, depression, and long-term psychological conditions.
• Rear-End Collision – One of the most common types of car accidents, often caused by distracted drivers following too closely. These crashes frequently result in whiplash and other soft tissue injuries.
• Slip & Fall – Hazardous property conditions like wet floors, icy sidewalks, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces can cause falls that lead to fractures, head injuries, and joint damage.
• Soft Tissue Injuries (whiplash, sprains, strains) – Common in rear-end crashes, sports incidents, and falls. These injuries can cause persistent pain and mobility limitations.
• Spinal Cord Injury – Trauma to the spine that may result in temporary or permanent paralysis, loss of sensation, and lifelong medical needs.
• Swimming Pool Accident – Includes drownings, near drownings, chemical exposure, drain entrapment, and slip hazards around residential and public pools.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Caused by sudden impact or force during car accidents, falls, or pedestrian collisions. TBIs can lead to lasting cognitive, behavioral, and physical impairments.
• Truck Accident – Crashes involving semi-trucks or commercial vehicles often cause catastrophic injuries due to the significant size and weight disparity compared to passenger vehicles.
• Uninsured Motorist Accident – When a negligent driver lacks insurance, victims must use their own uninsured motorist coverage to pursue compensation for injuries and damages.
• Work Injury – Injuries that occur on the job, including falls, machinery accidents, repetitive stress injuries, overexertion, and exposure to harmful substances.
• Work-Related Injuries – Repetitive strain, heavy lifting injuries, toxic exposure, and equipment malfunctions that occur in the workplace, often requiring workers’ compensation claims.
• Wrongful Death – When someone dies due to another party’s negligence or misconduct, surviving family members may pursue compensation for financial losses and emotional suffering.

Common Locations for Injuries in Portland

• High-traffic intersections – Burnside Street, Powell Boulevard, and SE Division Street see frequent car and pedestrian accidents.
• Downtown Portland – High foot traffic areas lead to pedestrian and bicycle accidents, slip and falls, and vehicle collisions.
• Bridges and highways – I-5, I-405, and the St. Johns Bridge are hotspots for serious car crashes.
• Public parks and recreational areas – Forest Park, Washington Park, and Tom McCall Waterfront Park see bike and pedestrian injuries.
• Shopping centers and grocery stores – Areas like Lloyd Center and Pioneer Place are common for slip and fall incidents.
• Construction sites – Injuries often occur due to falling objects, equipment malfunctions, or unsafe work conditions.
• Residential neighborhoods – Dog bites, slip and falls, and home-related injuries are frequent.
• Bars and restaurants – Patrons and employees may suffer slip and fall injuries, burns, or assault-related injuries.
• Public transportation hubs – MAX light rail stations and bus stops see pedestrian injuries and slip and falls.
• Schools and campuses – Portland State University and local schools experience sports injuries, slip and falls, and bicycle accidents.

What Is Negligence & How Is It Proven?

A personal injury case can result from any number of accidents caused by another person’s careless, reckless, or negligent behavior. Negligence forms the basis for most cases because claims are filed against those responsible for damages and losses.

To determine negligence, you must be able to prove that the defendant breached their duty to you and that this breach caused your injuries. Generally, liability for damages will rest with the insurance company of the negligent party.

Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve

Fighting for the compensation you deserve begins with having the right advocate on your side. The Law Offices of Timothy Grabe stands apart because Attorney Grabe brings more than 35 years of professional experience and has handled countless complex personal injury cases. In every matter our firm takes on, the goal is to help clients secure the full and fair compensation they are entitled to under Oregon law. This compensation can cover medical expenses, future medical needs, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, disability, and any other economic losses tied to the accident.

Calculating Lost Wages After an Accident

Calculating lost wages after a serious accident can quickly become complicated, especially when your injuries affect your long-term earning capacity. A knowledgeable attorney can carefully evaluate your employment history, injuries, and financial records to determine what your claim is truly worth. Lost income may include missed paychecks, lost promotions, expected cost-of-living increases, pension benefits, commissions for sales professionals, and other forms of income you would have reasonably earned. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work for an extended period—or permanently—many variables must be analyzed to ensure you are fully compensated for both current and future losses.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Oregon?

It is important to understand the time limits associated with filing a personal injury claim in Oregon. For most cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury. However, there are several exceptions. Under the “discovery rule,” you may be able to file within two years from the date you discovered the injury rather than the date it occurred. If the injured individual is a child, the rules become more complex. Special deadlines may also apply if the injury was caused by a drunk driver. Because certain cases carry even stricter time limits, it is essential to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. With decades of experience, our firm can guide you through the process and help you pursue the compensation you deserve within the required legal timeframe.

Portland Injury FAQs

Searching for the right attorney and navigating a legal matter can be quite overwhelming. We understand this, and we work hard to keep our clients as informed and as comfortable with their decision as possible. Sometimes this starts even before you become our client. Below, you’ll find a quick list of some of the most important and most commonly asked questions by individuals looking to seek compensation for their injuries.

If your question is not listed here, and you would like to speak with our experienced Portland personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Timothy Grabe, call our team today at 971-645-7176 and we’ll schedule your consultation immediately.

How do I know that I have a valid personal injury case?

It’s difficult to say—as every personal injury case arises from unique circumstances—but generally speaking, Oregon law requires wrongdoers to be held accountable for the damages they cause to others. This means that you would have valid grounds to pursue compensation if you can prove that the other party has breached a “duty of care,” that they have acted negligently in some manner and that you have suffered an injury and/or a substantial loss as a result. In order to understand whether or not you have a legitimate case, however, it is highly recommended that you consult with the attorney at our firm. Once we sign a retainer agreement, we can give full and specific legal advice regarding your case.

Will my case go to court?

As a rule, most personal injury cases don’t go to trial. The trend these days is for fewer cases to be tried. Last year, in Multnomah County, only about 90 civil cases ended in trial. Our goal is often to settle, either directly, or through a mediator or settlement judge. This is because we know court cases are long and expensive, as well as risky. Insurers can win, too. But if the other side is not being reasonable and we do go to court, our track record there is good. We are not afraid to pursue a case through trial, if the circumstances warrant it, so you can rest assured that we will take the appropriate steps to acquire the level of compensation that you deserve—whether your case is handled through mediation or trial.

What legal fees should I expect to pay?

Our fees are based on an hourly rate or they are paid on a contingency basis—meaning as a percentage of the settlements we win. We understand that many of our clients are wary of hiring legal representation because of the potential fees that they may be asked to pay, so we have made it our goal to provide top-notch legal service at a truly affordable price. By offering our assistance on a contingency fee basis, we allow our clients the opportunity to pursue their case without the fear of having to cough up outrageous legal fees. It’s simple – if we win the case, you will only be asked to pay us a percentage of the settlement. If we are unable to acquire compensation on your behalf, you won’t be expected to pay us for our help.

How long do personal injury cases generally take?

Every case is different and the time lengths can vary. Generally, our cases take six months to a year to complete. Some last several years, though. Winning a personal injury case can be a lengthy process, but we always keep our clients apprised of where things stand as the case progresses. We believe that the length of the process should not deter you from pursuing your case, however, as it will definitely be worth the wait if we are able to recover a substantial amount of compensation on your behalf. In any case, it is important to understand that we will be upfront with you the whole way through.

What factors are involved in your decision as to whether to take on a case?

We take a limited number of cases. We may spend 50 to 80 hours on a case, but some take up to 500 hours of work or more. For that reason, we look for a good fit. Some factors we consider are whether a client has supportive doctors, whether his or her claim has red flags, and whether he or she is a reputable person. When we take a client on, we view it as forming a relationship, and we want to make sure it’s mutually beneficial. The cases we don’t take, as a rule, include medical malpractice cases, regular workmen’s comp cases, and the cases of people who have several prior injury claims or troublesome criminal histories. That being said, we can’t know until we’ve spoken with you about your particular situation, so feel free to call for a complimentary consultation. If we don’t take your case we’ll be glad to refer you on to a qualified lawyer.

How long do I have from the time of my injury to initiate a lawsuit?

In the state of Oregon, all personal injury cases are subject to a statute of limitations. This means that you only have a certain amount of time to initiate a lawsuit, and subsequently pursue compensation. Each state in the U.S. maintains different time limitations, but in Oregon, a wrongfully injured victim generally has two years from the date of their injury to pursue a case. If the injury was not immediately discovered, however, one may be afforded more time to file a lawsuit. In order to ensure that your ability to claim compensation is not jeopardized, it is highly recommended that you consult with a Portland personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

How much is my case worth?

Although there are more general ways of assessing the worth of a personal injury case, you will not be able to come up with a reliable figure unless you take the time to review the circumstances of your case with an experienced lawyer. In doing so, your legal representation will be able to evaluate the nature and extent of your injury, the severity of the economic and non-economic losses that you have suffered and a number of other critical factors that will contribute to the value of your case. Even so, however, it is important to understand that the ultimate worth of your claim will only be known once a settlement or verdict has been reached.

What qualifies as a personal injury case in Portland?

A personal injury case arises when someone is harmed due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. Common cases include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, workplace injuries, and dog bites.

How do I know if I have a valid personal injury claim?

If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence and suffered damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering, you may have a valid claim. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help determine your legal options.

What should I do if I am injured in a Portland car accident?

First, seek medical attention and ensure your safety. Report the accident to the police, gather evidence such as photos and witness contact information, and notify your insurance company. Contacting a personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights and maximize your compensation.

How much compensation can I receive for my personal injury claim?

The amount of compensation depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, medical costs, lost income, and the impact on your daily life. Oregon’s modified comparative negligence rule also affects how much you can recover if you were partially at fault.

Will my Portland personal injury case go to court?

Many personal injury cases are resolved through settlement negotiations with insurance companies. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may take the case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve.

How long does a Portland personal injury case take to settle?

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and whether the case goes to trial. Some claims settle in a few months, while others may take over a year if litigation is necessary.

What happens if I am injured by an uninsured driver in Portland?

If the at-fault driver lacks insurance, you may still seek compensation through your uninsured motorist coverage or by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. A lawyer can help explore all available options.

Can I file a claim if my accident was partially my fault?

Yes, Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover damages as long as you are less than 51 percent at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of responsibility.

How soon should I contact a personal injury attorney after an accident?

It’s best to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an injury. Evidence can fade, witnesses may forget details, and strict deadlines apply. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights from the start.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in Portland?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay upfront legal fees. The attorney only gets paid if they win your case, typically taking a percentage of the final settlement or court award.

Serving Throughout Portland

• Pearl District
• Nob Hill (Northwest District)
• Downtown Portland
• Alberta Arts District
• Hawthorne District
• Sellwood-Moreland
• Mississippi Avenue
• Laurelhurst
• Irvington
• Buckman
• St. Johns
• Goose Hollow
• Eastmoreland
• Sunnyside (Belmont)
• Hollywood District

Contact a Skilled Portland Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation

At the Law Offices of Timothy Grabe, we proudly represent clients injured in many different types of personal injury accidents. The damages you may recover will depend on the facts of your specific case, but by hiring a skilled attorney from our firm, you may be able to receive the compensation that you deserve.

If your case goes to trial, our team of Portland personal injury attorneys will help ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve. Our firm can help you begin handling legal details, offer investigative work, and ensure documentation is effectively completed to present your case. Help is only a phone call away! Contact us to schedule a free consultation.

Call 971-645-7176 today to speak with us and to schedule your free case evaluation.

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