Many Portland, OR personal injury law firms, including DeShaw Law, offer free consultations. In this blog, we explain what happens during your initial meeting with a Portland personal injury lawyer.
If you've been hurt in an accident, one of the smartest ways to protect yourself, and your financial interests is to speak with an experienced injury attorney in Portland, OR. Your first consultation can make all the difference.
Your initial consultation with a personal injury attorney isn't just a formality. This critical first meeting establishes trust, helps you understand your legal options, and lays the foundation for your personal injury claim. This is your opportunity to share what happened, ask questions, and understand your legal options before making any decisions. This is also our chance to evaluate the strength of your claim, and outline a potential path forward.
Many people avoid hiring a personal injury attorney because they're unsure what to expect, or worry about the cost of legal services. DeShaw Law offers free initial consultations, so there's no financial barrier to getting the information you need.
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What to Bring to Your Initial Consultation with a Personal Injury Attorney
Coming prepared will help your attorney get a complete picture of your situation, but don't worry if you don't have everything organized perfectly. Your attorney can help you identify what's missing and how to obtain it. You may consider bringing:
- Accident or police reports related to your incident
- Medical bills from any treatment you've received
- Medical records, even if you do not suspect medical malpractice
- Photos or video from the scene of the accident, including property damage
- Insurance information — yours and the at-fault party's
- Any correspondence you've received from insurance companies
- A written timeline of events, if you can put one together
Attorney Tip:
If you have experienced a traumatic brain injury or other traumatic event, we highly recommend bringing a family member or trusted friend with you. They may be able to help you remain focused, and remember details that could make a difference in your case. DeShaw Law has a proven track record of exceptional results on cases involving catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries and amputations.
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What Happens During the Consultation
1. We start with your story.
An attorney at DeShaw Law, sometimes with the assistance of other members of our legal team, will listen carefully as you walk through what happened. We will ask you about the accident itself, your injuries, the medical treatment you've received, and how your life has been affected by the injury. Everything you share is confidential.
During this process, we expect you to be as honest and detailed as possible, even if you feel that certain facts may not work in your favor. In both Oregon and Washington, you can collect compensation even if you are partly responsible for the accident.
We encourage you to ask questions at this time, even if they seem simple. You are not being judged for not knowing the law or how it applies to your case; that’s our job. You may want to ask:
- How is my case valued?
- How long will this process take?
- What does your fee structure look like?
- Will I have to go to court?
- What do I need to do (or avoid doing) right now?
The team at DeShaw Law handles a wide range of personal injury cases, from car accidents to wrongful death. Regardless of your situation, we can offer you a clearer picture of where you stand.
Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney in Portland, OR
2. We evaluate your claim and determine damages.
Based on what you share, your attorney will assess key factors that will determine the viability of your case. Just because you are injured does not mean you are entitled to money; we only take cases that we believe are legitimate and legally actionable. This means answering questions like:
- Who was at fault, and can it be proven?
- What are your current and future losses (medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering)?
- What insurance policies apply, and what are the limits?
- How long ago did the injury occur or was discovered? (In most cases, Oregon allows just two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.)
3. Together, we decide on our next steps.
If your case has merit and you'd like to move forward, we will establish an official attorney-client relationship. We will brief you on what else is needed on your end, and our team will begin preparing your claim. This means gathering evidence, notifying the insurance company, beginning negotiations, and preparing for litigation, even if we expect your case to settle before trial.
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Common Types of Cases Handled by DeShaw Law, Portland Injury Attorneys
Personal injury law covers a broad range of situations. The most common cases seen by our Portland injury attorneys include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall / premises liability
- Dog bites
- Workplace injuries
- Wrongful death
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist claims
The full list of the cases we handle can be found here.
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What You Should NOT Do Before Your Initial Consultation
Resolving your legal case starts with determining your injuries, who was responsible for the accident, and what your case is worth. Each of these factors must be dispassionately considered for a case to be resolved successfully.
Before you meet with an attorney — and especially before you do anything else — avoid these common mistakes:
- Don't give a recorded statement to the at-fault party's insurance company without legal counsel. They will find any small variation in your story, however insignificant it may seem, and use it against you.
- Don't accept a quick settlement offer, even if it is more than you expect. Early offers are almost always far less than your case is worth. Always speak with an attorney first.
- Don't post about your accident on social media. While this may seem like a harmless way to share your worries or frustrations, insurance companies monitor your social media accounts and may use what you say against you.
- Don't miss medical appointments. This is arguably the most important factor; gaps in treatment can be used to create a narrative that you are not as injured as you truly are.
Why Choose DeShaw Law, Personal Injury Attorney in Portland, OR?
For more than 20 years, Portland residents have trusted DeShaw Law with their personal injury cases. Dr. Aaron DeShaw and his legal team combine a grassroots knowledge of insurance underpayment tactics with a genuine commitment to his clients. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our focus is on making the legal process as straightforward as possible while fighting hard to maximize your recovery.
While we have handled hundreds of complicated cases, we know that no two cases are exactly alike. While we only accept a select number of cases every year, we always take the time to understand the unique circumstances of every potential client who takes the time to speak with us. To tell us your story, call (503) 227-1233.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an initial consultation cost?
At DeShaw Law, your first consultation is completely free. We do not charge for the time it takes to listen to your story, review the facts of your case, and explain your legal options. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
Bringing relevant documents helps your attorney quickly understand the strength of your claim. Useful items include the police or incident report, photos of the scene and your injuries, medical records and bills, insurance correspondence, witness contact information, and a list of any lost wages. If you do not have everything, do not worry. Come in with what you have, and we can help gather the rest.
How long does the consultation usually take?
Most first consultations last between 30 and 60 minutes. Complex cases involving serious injuries, multiple parties, or disputed liability may take longer. We never rush these meetings. You should leave feeling like your questions were answered and you understand the path forward.
Will I actually meet with an attorney, or just a paralegal?
You will meet directly with an attorney. We believe the person evaluating your case should be the same person handling it; you will be working with a licensed personal injury attorney from your consultation onward. Our experienced paralegal staff will also be on hand to provide quick updates about your case.
What questions will the attorney ask me?
Expect questions about how the injury happened, the extent of your medical treatment, whether you have spoken with insurance companies, how the injury has affected your work and daily life, and any prior injuries or claims. Be honest and thorough; the more your attorney knows up front, the better they can advocate for you.
Do I have to hire DeShaw Law at the consultation?
Not at all. The consultation is a chance for you to learn about your options and for us to determine whether we are the right fit for your case. We never want you to feel pressure to sign anything on the spot. Take the information home, talk it over with your family, and let us know if you have any additional questions after the consultation.
What if I am too injured to come into the office?
We understand that serious injuries make travel difficult. If you cannot come to our Portland office, we can meet with you by phone, video call, or even at your home or hospital room. We take cases, and visit potential clients, all across Oregon and Washington.
Can a family member or friend sit in with me?
Yes. Many of our clients bring a spouse, parent, adult child, or trusted friend for support and to help remember details. If your injury has affected your memory or concentration, having someone there to take notes can be especially helpful.
How soon after my injury should I schedule a consultation?
The sooner, the better. Oregon has a statute of limitations on personal injury claims, generally two years from the date of the injury, and certain types of claims have even shorter deadlines. Evidence also disappears quickly. Witnesses forget details, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and vehicles get repaired. Meeting with a personal injury attorney early gives your case the strongest possible foundation.
What happens after the consultation if I decide to move forward?
If you choose to hire us, we will have you sign a representation agreement and begin work immediately. That typically includes notifying the insurance companies, gathering medical records, preserving evidence, and handling all communication so you can focus on healing. You will not have to deal with adjusters or paperwork on your own.
What if my case involves a fatality or catastrophic injury?
These cases require extra care, both legally and personally. Our consultations for wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims, including spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries, are handled with sensitivity to what your family is going through. We will move at your pace and answer every question.
How do I schedule my free consultation?
You can call our Portland office or fill out the contact form. We respond quickly because we know that when you are hurt, waiting feels like the hardest part.
DeShaw Law serves clients throughout Portland and the greater Oregon area. The information in this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. To speak with a personal injury lawyer in Portland OR, call (503) 227-1233.