Unfortunately, some of these accidents are caused by another person’s negligence. If another party caused your loved one’s demise, you should talk to Portland wrongful death attorneys promptly. But how do you know if you need an attorney and is it necessary?

Technically, you don’t need Portland wrongful death attorneys to file a lawsuit. However, if you don’t have a legal background in personal injury and wrongful death claims, it could be difficult to have a successful outcome. Most people don’t have the legal skill or financial resources to successfully handle a wrongful death claim on their own. Plus, they are grieving and it is very difficult to deal with legal, financial, and insurance matters in that state of mind.

Portland Wrongful Death Attorneys Know The Legal Process

Your wrongful death attorney has many years of experience with civil lawsuits and knows what is needed to build a convincing case. They know all of the aspects of Oregon personal injury and wrongful death law and all of the steps that must be taken. They also know how to pinpoint all potentially liable parties and their insurance companies for the most compensation. It is critical to sue the right person or company, and doing so is not always as easy as it seems. For example, if a company is liable for your loved one’s death, you must name the correct organization in the legal filing or the case could run into trouble.

Your Portland wrongful death attorneys also will save you a lot of time. The legal process takes time and is complex, filled with all kinds of deadlines. If you lack the legal and court knowledge that an attorney has, you could miss a critical filing deadline. Your attorney will work on your behalf, dealing with all of the complicated aspects of the claim, while you focus on your recovery.

Your lawyer also can help you determine what the case is worth. Most people who are unfamiliar with the law in wrongful death cases may not realize the full value of their claim. For example, if someone hit and killed your loved one in a Portland crosswalk, you could be entitled to some or all of the following compensation:

• Medical bills
• Funeral expenses
• Lost income – past and future
• Loss of inheritance
• Mental anguish
• Loss of care and support
• The deceased’s pain and suffering

Most people do not realize that they are entitled to all of these different types of compensation. If you just deal with the insurance company on your own, you might settle for only medical and funeral bills. When someone’s negligence caused the death, you are usually entitled to more than that.

When You Need Portland Wrongful Death Attorneys

Not every case requires a wrongful death attorney. If your loved one died on their own, obviously, no one is at fault for their death. If they were in a one-car accident and died, there usually is no one to blame. But if they are killed in an accident because of another party’s action or inaction, you could have a case.