As snow starts to fall in Oregon, it’s not uncommon to see plows on the road. They have the critical job of keeping the roads clear for Oregon drivers, ensuring that they can travel safely without having to worry about winter road hazards. Drivers are asked to give plows a wide berth when possible, but in some cases, plows still manage to clip or dent other cars and can cause substantial amounts of damage when doing so. In fact, many vehicle owners wake up the morning after a big snowstorm only to find slashed tires or deep scrapes on the side of their parked car, resulting from an encounter with a snowplow. If this has happened to you or someone you know, you might be wondering if it’s possible to get compensation to cover the repairs of your vehicle.
The short answer is that yes, you may have a viable case, which in turn can make you eligible to receive compensation for the damages. The most important thing is to ensure that you have proof of the damage in order to substantiate your claims. Fortunately, given the state of your vehicle, this should be simple enough to document. Once you’ve acquired the necessary documentation, the next step involves determining who is responsible for the snowplow. Oftentimes residents deal with city and state plows, and these entities may have varied forms and procedures to process such issues. Once you’ve identified the appropriate parties, and depending on the circumstance, you may also need to start the process of contacting your insurance and submitting a claim with them.
While you generally don’t need an attorney to handle property damage claims, an experienced personal injury attorney can assist with the process by ensuring that you receive fair treatment from everyone involved. Oftentimes insurance companies are motivated to cut their expenses as much as possible, and this can be at your detriment. If in addition to the property damage, a person was injured, having an attorney becomes that much more essential. Ensure that your damages are properly recognized and compensated for with a lawyer from Shlesinger & deVilleneuve. Contact us today!
