Being a car accident injury lawyer in Oregon (since 1991 and in Washington State since 1994) plus driving for 27 years accident free, I may not be safer than others when driving. I will provide my personal safe car driving tips- these safe driving tips may provide for a safer car driving experience and perhaps help one drive safer.

In order to avoid a three car pile up always keep at least two car lengths from your front end and the car ahead of you when you stop. Remember when driving on the freeway, highway or
streets to keep that 3 second rule in mind. The best way to count, is watch the car in front of you. Once it passes anything stable, count until you pass it. If you are 3 seconds or shorter, hold back and keep the distance longer.

My second safe car driving tip is to plan your trips at non rush hour times like 10:00am, 11:00am, 2:00pm, 3:00pm. Also when driving during rush hour times try and stay away from heavily used streets, highways and freeways.

My third safe car driving tip is to always look both ways when crossing through intersections when driving in Oregon and Washington. Oregon and Washington driving accident statistics show consistent car crash accident at many intersections and oftentimes intersection car accident are often the most high impact and serious injury events.

My fourth and final safe car driving tip is to always make eye contact with the drivers when you are a pedestrian. Drivers can not read your mind and don’t know if you are actually going, pointing, waiting or just standing at the corner. Use hand gestures to let the driver know if they should go instead of yourself walking.

When deciding to get an injury lawyer the first thing to figure out is what state must the lawyer be licensed in. If the car accident occurred in Oregon you will want an Oregon lawyer even if the other at fault driver lived in the state of Washington. Having an Oregon lawyer on an Oregon injury case and a Washington lawyer on a Washington case may ensure that the case gets handled right and there is no dropping of the ball.

Washington state and Oregon state each prohibit the unlawful practice of law by non instate licensed lawyers. Having a Washington lawyer on your Oregon injury case and vice versa may get that lawyer afoul of the state ethics rules. As a lawyer licensed in both states I know that there are unique rules that only an instate lawyer can successfully handle. For example in Washington the law allows a 1/3 reduction under a case called Mahler on PIP (Personal Injury Protection) reimbursement whereas Oregon has no such law. The old adage buyer beware may just rule the roost as the saying goes.

After the accident itself, the second most traumatic event when injured in a car crash is navigating the confusing road blocked world of filing an insurance claim. As the injured party, you may be faced with dealing with both your own insurance company as well as that of the person who caused the accident. Just when you are at your most vulnerable, hurt, in shock and confused, you will be asked to make decisions and take actions that may affect the rest of your life.

The actions you must take after an accident are 1) seek medical attention, 2) call the police, 3) notify security if the accident occurs on private property, 4) give the authorities complete and accurate information, 5) ask for a written report and get the identifying number, 6) get the names, addresses and driver’s information of other involved parties, including license number, and 7) notify your insurance company.

The insurance companies have lawyers working hard on their side, and you deserve no less.