Ashland Personal Injury Law Firm

More Ashland Injury Questions

I fell in Lithia Park. Is a claim against the City of Ashland different?

It may be, in one important way. Lithia Park is one of the City of Ashland's parks, and the city counts 20 parks and 811 acres of parkland, open space and properties. Claims against a public body, such as the State of Oregon or a local government, have an extra step. You must give notice of the claim within 180 days after the injury (ORS 30.275). An injury in a city park may fall under these rules. The 180 day notice is easy to miss, and it can pass before you finish treatment. Tell us exactly where in the park you fell. From there our Ashland legal team works out which public body, if any, is responsible, and we get the notice out on time.

A car hit me in an Ashland crosswalk, and I do not own a car. Who pays my medical bills?

More than one policy may apply. Oregon auto policies carry medical coverage called PIP, and PIP on a vehicle covers pedestrians it strikes (ORS 742.520). If someone in your household has an auto policy, it may also apply. Oregon PIP covers at least $15,000 in reasonable and necessary medical expenses for up to two years after the injury. After PIP is used up, bills usually go to your health insurance, if you have it. Plenty of people here get around without a car: a City of Ashland study found that 9.1 percent of Ashland households have no vehicle. Figuring out which policy is first in line is our work, not yours.

A dog bit me in an Ashland park. What should I do?

Get the bite treated first. Then report it. Jackson County asks for a report on its Animal Bite Reporting Form within one working day, and Jackson County Public Health answers rabies questions around the clock at 541-526-9251. In Ashland's dog friendly parks, the city requires a six-foot leash everywhere except the Dog Park, and Lithia Park is not a dog friendly area. For a dog that is loose where it should not be, the city's parks page gives non-emergency dispatch at 541-770-4784. Write down where it happened and who had the dog, keep photos of the injury, and call us about a claim.

Who can bring a wrongful death claim after a fatal crash in Ashland?

In Oregon, the personal representative of the estate brings the case. That is the person a court appoints to act for the estate. The case is for the benefit of the surviving spouse, children, parents and certain other family members. A wrongful death case generally has three years (ORS 30.020), and some limits can make that time shorter. Inside Ashland city limits, federal crash data shows two traffic deaths from 2020 to 2024. Both people were on foot, and both crashes happened in the dark. If your family is facing this, our Ashland legal team explains the steps and handles the claim. The first call is free.

The insurance company offered me money after my Ashland injury. Should I sign the release?

Not before you know what the injury will cost you. A signed release usually ends your claim for good. An adjuster, the person who handles the claim for the insurance company, may call you quickly. Before you sign anything or give a recorded statement, think about talking with an attorney. State crash data shows 104 people were injured in crashes inside Ashland in 2024. If you are one of them and an offer is on the table, send it to our Ashland legal team before you sign. We tell you what we think it leaves out, and asking is free.