Category Archives: Portland car accidents
Two Injured in Hwy 101 Crash After Dangerous Turn
Date: May 22, 2012
Location: Highway 101 and SW Abbey Street, Newport
Names: Paul Davis, Meredith Maishen
Two people were injured in a Tuesday afternoon two-vehicle crash on Highway 101. One of the drivers has been cited for making a dangerous turn.
Newport Police received word of the accident at the intersection of SW Abbey Street and Highway 101 at around 3:30 p.m. The report on KVAL.com says Paul Davis, 56, of Siletz, had stopped his 1999 GMC pickup on SW Abbey Street at the junction of Highway 101.
When Davis attempted a left turn onto northbound Highway 101, he pulled into the path of a 2011 Honda Accord being driven by Meredith Maishen, 63, of Newport. An ambulance was called to the scene, and Maishen was transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
Davis suffered a bump on the head, but refused medical treatment. He was charged by Newport police with making a dangerous left turn.
We wish both the people involved in this crash a full and speedy recovery from their injuries.
As Portland car accident attorneys, we know that filing an insurance claim can be extremely complicated and stressful. After a crash like this, any injured person can seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, or through their own uninsured motorist coverage.
Steps to Take for Filing an Insurance Claim after an Oregon Accident:
- Get medical treatment. If you’ve been injured, waiting to seek medical treatment can greatly affect the value of your claim.
- Right after the accident, write down any details you remember.
- Contact your insurance company and get a copy of your insurance policy if you don’t have one. Talk to your adjuster about using your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical treatment, lost wages, etc.
- Determine the amount of property damage done.
- Start keeping good records. Get the police report, copies of medical bills, pictures of your car before and after repairs, etc.
- If you are considering hiring a lawyer, talk to the lawyer before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
- If you know you are not going to hire an attorney, contact the insurance company for the other driver yourself. Be honest, but do not give a recorded statement and do not admit any liability.
- Get all correspondence with both insurance companies in writing.
- Do not sign anything until you are done treating and are medically stationary.
- Check the statute of limitations on your claim. For most car accidents in Oregon, the time limit is two years, but this is not true for all cases. In some cases, you will only have 180 days – speaking to an attorney can clarify your time limits.
- Discuss your case with a car accident attorney in Portland who offers free consultations to start understanding the laws that affect your case and your rights as an accident victim.
But before you speak to the insurance adjuster or an attorney, you can learn more about the Oregon insurance claim process in the very helpful book, 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.
Driver Cited After Injuring Pregnant Bicyclist
Date: May 22, 2012
Location: Intersection of Bertha Blvd. and Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Portland
Names: Jessie Belter, Nicole Poor
A motorist has been cited after a Tuesday morning accident that left a bicyclist with a broken leg. The accident happened at the intersection of Bertha Boulevard and the Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway in Southwest Portland.
Portland Police investigators told KGW.com that Nicole Poor, 33, was northbound on Bertha Blvd. just before 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. As Poor turned left onto Beaverton-Hillsdale, she struck Jessie Belter, 28, who was eastbound on Bertha and riding in a bike lane. The report also said that Belter is pregnant.
An emergency crew responded to the scene and found that Belter had sustained a broken right leg in the collision. She was transported to OHSU Hospital for treatment. Poor remained at the scene and was cooperative with police in their investigations.
Poor was cited for failure to obey a traffic device. Police say she had initially stopped for a stop sign but then failed to yield to Belter.
We would like to wish Jessie Belter a full and speedy recovery from her injuries after this frightening accident.
We hope this accident serves as a reminder to drivers to be careful around Oregon bicyclists.
When a bicyclist gets hit by car, the biker always loses – no matter who was at fault – because cars are so much heavier. As Portland bicycle accident attorneys, we understand the dangers and the consequences of getting hit by car.
In bicycle accident cases, injuries are often very severe. Even if you were wearing a helmet, make sure you are tested for traumatic brain injury – sometimes these are not immediately apparent until tests have been performed. Seek immediate medical treatment.
What You NEED to Know:
- If you have been hit by a car, you can file a claim with the auto insurance company of the person who hit you.
- The at-fault driver’s insurance should cover all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and even damage to your bicycle.
- Your own Personal Injury Protection (through your own auto insurance) still applies in this type of case, so use your PIP to pay bills until you settle your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance.
- You have two years (in most cases) to file a claim.
- But in some cases, like if the driver works for the city, state, or county, you could have deadlines as soon as 180 days.
- You should not sign a release with the other insurance company until you are sure you know the extent of your injuries and damages.
- The insurance adjuster is not your friend. His job is to save his company money by paying you as little as possible.
- In most cases, it is a good idea to hire a bicycle accident attorney to protect your rights because insurance company adjusters can be tricky.
If you have more questions about the personal injury process, what to do after being hit by car, or want to speak to an attorney, call 503-222-4411 or visit www.pdxinjurylaw.com
Portland Woman Hit by Semi-Truck Fatally Injured
Date: May 16, 2012
Location: Intersection of SW 3rd Avenue and Madison Street, Portland
Name: Kathryn Leah Rickson
A 29-year-old Portland bicyclist has died after being hit by a semi-truck in downtown Portland. The accident happened at about 8:30 Wednesday night.
Portland Police spokesman Lieutenant Robert King said Kathryn Leah Rickson, 29, was riding her bicycle eastbound on Madison Street in Portland, when a semi-truck who was also eastbound on Madison attempted a right turn onto 3rd Avenue.
The truck hit Rickson, who was in a green bike box in the intersection at the time of the collision. Emergency responders rushed her to a local hospital, but she died from her injuries a short time later.
The truck driver remained at the scene after the accident, and Portland Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
We would like to send our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Kathryn Leah Rickson at this horribly tragic time. Our thoughts are with you.
We hope this accident serves as a reminder to drivers to be careful around Oregon bicyclists.
When a bicyclist gets hit by car, the biker always loses – no matter who was at fault – because cars and trucks are so much heavier. As Portland bicycle accident attorneys, we understand the dangers and the consequences of getting hit by a motor vehicle.
In bicycle accident cases, injuries are often very severe and can, as in this case, be fatal. Even if you were wearing a helmet, as Rickson was, when a bicycle collides with a car or truck, the helmet might not be enough to prevent serious injuries or death.
What You NEED to Know:
- If you or a member of your family has been hit by a car, you can file a claim with the insurance company of the person who hit you.
- The at-fault driver’s insurance should cover all damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and even damage to your bicycle.
- The family of the victim has two years (in most cases) to file a claim.
- But in some cases, like if the driver works for the city, state, or county, you could have deadlines as soon as 180 days.
- You should not sign a release with the other insurance company until you are sure you know the type of claim you are making, including a wrongful death claim.
- The insurance adjuster is not your friend. His job is to save his company money by paying you as little as possible.
- In most cases, it is a good idea to hire a bicycle accident attorney to protect your rights because insurance company adjusters can be tricky.
If you have more questions about the claims process, or if you want to speak to an attorney, call 503-222-4411 or visit www.pdxinjurylaw.com.
High-Speed Crash Killed One, Injured One in East Portland
Date: May 16, 2012
Location: East Burnside Road, Portland
Names: Shelby Lynn Williams, Cleveland Nelson
A Southeast Portland woman was killed and her passenger injured in a high-speed crash early Wednesday morning. Crash investigators say the driver was doing about 90 miles per hour at the time of the crash.
According to investigators, Shelby Lynn Williams, 33, of Portland, was driving a 2012 Chevy Traverse SUV at about 2 a.m. The Major Crash Team told OregonLive.com that Williams was travelling at 90 miles per hour on East Burnside when she lost control of the vehicle.
The SUV hit a telephone pole, then smashed into a tree and a fence before coming to rest in a yard alongside the road. Williams was ejected from the vehicle, and when emergency responders arrived on the scene, they disovered she had been killed in the crash.
Williams’ passenger, Clevelan Nelson, 28, was injured in the crash and was taken to a local hospital with injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening. The investigation into the circumstances of the accident are continuing.
We would like to send our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Shelby Williams, and we also send our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to Cleveland Nelson.
Car accidents can be life-changing, and we hope Nelson is able to fully recover soon.
While many single-car accidents seem uncomplicated, there are sometimes other factors to consider. If you have been injured in a single-car accident like the one described here, you may be able to receive compensation in several instances:
- If poor road conditions, poor signage, or bad traffic control contributed to the accident, there may be a lawsuit available against the city, county, or state. In cases against a public body, you may only have 180 days to file a tort claim notice (in most cases) so act quickly to protect your rights.
- If the car’s mechanic was negligent in his last repairs, contributing to the accident, there may be a lawsuit available against the mechanic or his business.
- If the car’s manufacturer was negligent, you may be able to file a product liability suit against them. Car manufacturers have often been held accountable for design defects and manufacturing defects, and these lawsuits help ensure that future drivers are not hurt by negligent safety standards.
If you have been injured in a single-car accident that you believe may not have been your fault, you can call a Portland car accident lawyer for help with your investigation at 503-222-4411. Or you can learn more about filing your own claim by reading the book 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.
89 Year Old Man Crashed into Building, Injured Resident
Date: May 10, 2012
Location: 14404 SE Webster Raod, The Springs at Clackamas Woods
Names: Owen K. Gotchall, Donald Franklin Brownrigg
It all came crashing in on a southeast Milwaukie man, literally, when a car crashed through the wall of a residential center in southeast Milwaukie. The collison sent a recliner chair across a living room, with a 97-year-old man still sitting in it!
Milwaukie Police told OregonLive.com that Owen Gotchall, 89, was parking his car at the Springs at Clackamas Woods senior residential center around 11 a.m. Thursday. Gotchall seemingly confused the brake with the gas pedal and his car jumped over the curb and crashed through the patio door of 97-year-old Donald Brownrigg’s apartment.
The crash caused major structural damage, and the car pushed Brownrigg’s recliner all the way across the living room, with Brownrigg still sitting in it. Gotchall then tried to back out of the building, but the car got stuck.
Brownrigg was taken to a local hospital complaining of pain, and Gotchall, who police do not think had been drinking at the time of the crash, may have his driving privileges re-evaluated by state authorities.
We would like to wish Mr. Brownrigg a full recovery from his injuries after this bizarre accident.
Car accidents can be life-changing, and we hope Mr. Brownrigg is able to fully recover soon.
While many single-car accidents seem uncomplicated, there are sometimes other factors to consider. If you have been injured in a single-car accident, like the one described here, you may be able to receive compensation in several instances:
- If poor road conditions, poor signage, or bad traffic control contributed to the accident, there may be a lawsuit available against the city, county, or state. In cases against a public body, you may only have 180 days to file a tort claim notice (in most cases) so act quickly to protect your rights.
- If the car’s mechanic was negligent in his last repairs, contributing to the accident, there may be a lawsuit available against the mechanic or his business.
- If the car’s manufacturer was negligent, you may be able to file a product liability suit against them. Car manufacturers have often been held accountable for design defects and manufacturing defects, and these lawsuits help ensure that future drivers are not hurt by negligent safety standards.
If you have been injured in a single-car accident that you believe may not have been your fault, you can call a Portland car accident lawyer for help with your investigation at 503-222-4411. Or you can learn more about filing your own claim by reading the book 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.
Corvette Ran Stop Sign, Caused Collision that Injured Five
Date: May 6, 2012
Location: Highway 126E intersection with Holden Creek Lane, near Leaburg
Names: Verne Dowty, Mary Montoya, Megan Martens, Bettie Bessonette, Diana Cardwell
Five people were injured in a dramatic two-vehicle collision west of Leaburg Sunday afternoon. The accident was triggered when a Corvette failed to stop at a T-intersection.
OSP Trooper Andy Youngblood told The Register Guard that the accident occurred just before 1:45 Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 126E and Holden Creek Lane. Youngblood says Verne Dowty, 76, from Springfield, was driving a 1980 Chevrolet Corvette north on Holden Creek Road but failed to stop at the intersection with McKenzie Highway (126). Dowty’s car went directly into the path of an eastbound 2000 Nissan Quest van.
The violent impact caused both vehicles to leave the highway and travel down a steep embankment. When emergency responders arrived on the scene, they discovered that Dowty had been seriously injured in the crash. He was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend where he remains in a serious condition.
Four Redmond-area women were in the van, which rolled at least once when going down the embankment. All four women were taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center, River-Bend. They have been identified as driver Mary Montoya, 66; Megan Martens, 33; Bettie Bessonette, 84, and Diana Cardwell, 60.
Monday afternoon, information regarding the women’s injuries was released. Montoya received minor injuries and was released. Martens remains in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Bessonette is listed in a good condition. Cardwell, who was transported to the hospital by LifeFlight, is currently listed in a serious condition.
We wish all the people involved in this terrifying crash a full and speedy recovery.
As Portland car accident attorneys, we know that filing an insurance claim can be extremely complicated and stressful. After a crash like this, any injured person can seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, or through their own uninsured motorist coverage.
Steps to Take for Filing an Insurance Claim after an Oregon Accident:
- Get medical treatment. If you’ve been injured, waiting to seek medical treatment can greatly affect the value of your claim.
- Right after the accident, write down any details you remember.
- Contact your insurance company and get a copy of your insurance policy if you don’t have one. Talk to your adjuster about using your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical treatment, lost wages, etc.
- Determine the amount of property damage done.
- Start keeping good records. Get the police report, copies of medical bills, pictures of your car before and after repairs, etc.
- If you are considering hiring a lawyer, talk to the lawyer before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
- If you know you are not going to hire an attorney, contact the insurance company for the other driver yourself. Be honest, but do not give a recorded statement and do not admit any liability.
- Get all correspondence with both insurance companies in writing.
- Do not sign anything until you are done treating and are medically stationary.
- Check the statute of limitations on your claim. For most car accidents in Oregon, the time limit is two years, but this is not true for all cases. In some cases, you will only have 180 days – speaking to an attorney can clarify your time limits.
- Discuss your case with a car accident attorney in Portland who offers free consultations to start understanding the laws that affect your case and your rights as an accident victim.
But before you speak to the insurance adjuster or an attorney, you can learn more about the Oregon insurance claim process in the very helpful book, 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.
