Elderly Couple Injured in Happy Valley Auto Collision

Date:  May 23, 2012
Location:  Highway 212 and SE 172nd Avenue, Happy Valley
Names:  Parzy Rose, Phyllis Rose, Marc LaVaque

An elderly couple were injured in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 212 Wednesday, when the car they were in was struck by a truck in Happy Valley.

Deputies from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office say Phyllis Rose, 86, and Parzy Rose, 89, were in a car that was making a left-hand turn at the junction of Highway 212 and Southeast 172nd Avenue. As they attempted the turn, a truck towing a trailer, being driven by Marc LaVaque, crashed into them.

Emergency responders were called to the scene, and the Roses were taken to a local hospital complaining of pain. LaVaque was not injured in the crash, according to the report on KPTV.com.

LaVaque told sheriff’s deputies that his brakes were not working properly and that this is what contributed to the crash. An off-duty Clackamas County Sheriff’s deputy witnessed the crash and immediately lent his assistance.

We would like to wish both Phyllis and Parzy Rose a full and speedy recovery from their injuries after this tragic accident.

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:

1. Get medical treatment. If you’ve been injured, waiting to seek medical treatment can greatly affect the value of your claim.
2. Right after the accident, write down any details you remember.
3. 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.
4. Determine the amount of property damage done.
5. Start keeping good records. Get the police report, copies of medical bills, pictures of your car before and after repairs, etc.
6. If you are considering hiring a lawyer, talk to the lawyer before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
7. 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.
8. Get all correspondence with both insurance companies in writing.
9. Do not sign anything until you are done treating and are medically stationary.
10. 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.
11. 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.

Pickup Truck Crossed Center Line, Hit Two Motorcyclists

Date:  May 28, 2012
Location:  Highway 7, milepost 40, Baker County
Names:  Leta Louise Currey, Joanne Mohrland, Derrick Coates

One woman was killed Monday afternoon, and another woman was critically injured in a crash involving a pickup truck and a group of motorcyclists. The accident happened on Highway 7, in Baker County.

Oregon State Police released a statement to KTVB.com which said the horrific accident happened at about 12:30 Monday. Derrick Coates, 24, from Baker City, was driving south on Highway 7 in a 1994 Nissan pickup. Near milepost 40, a group of four northbound motorcycles came in Coates’ direction.

After the first motorcycle passed him, Coates’ pickup crossed the center line and collided with the second and third motorcycles in the group of four. One of the motorcycles struck was being driven by Leta Currey, 46, from Pendleton, who was pronounced dead at the scene. In a tragic twist of fate, Currey’s husband had been on the first motorcycle, which had not been hit by Coates.

The woman on the other motorcycle that was hit by Coates, a 2004 Harley Davidson, was Joanne Mohrland, 53, from Walla Walla Washington, whose husband was on the fourth motorcycle and was not struck by the pickup. Mohrland was critically injured and was flown by LifeFlight to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, where she remained in critical condition Monday night.

Coates received only minor injuries in the crash and did not require hospitalization. The OSP are continuing their investigation into events leading up to the crash.

We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Leta Currey’s husband, family and friends at this very sad time, and we also send our best wishes for a full recovery to Joanne Mohrland. Our thoughts are with you.

Anytime a motorcycle fatality occurs, we are reminded of the high injury and death rates for motorcycle riders. Several factors contribute to the potential risk, but probably none more so than motorists seeming inability to see motorcycles. Certainly rider skill can come into play, and we absolutely welcome the Oregon law requiring motorcycle skills training. However, no matter how safely a person rides, a car driver who isn’t looking will remain a danger to a motorcyclist.

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:

1. Get medical treatment. If you’ve been injured, waiting to seek medical treatment can greatly affect the value of your claim.
2. Right after the accident, write down any details you remember.
3. 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.
4. Determine the amount of property damage done.
5. Start keeping good records. Get the police report, copies of medical bills, pictures of your car before and after repairs, etc.
6. If you are considering hiring a lawyer, talk to the lawyer before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
7. 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.
8. Get all correspondence with both insurance companies in writing.
9. Do not sign anything until you are done treating and are medically stationary.
10. 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.
11. 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.

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.

Crash in Roseburg Intersection Sent Woman to Hospital

Date:  April 23, 2012
Location:  Edenbower Blvd. overpass, I-5, Roseburg
Names:  Abby Butts, Donald Pitmon

Police are still trying to figure out the cause of a head-on crash that sent a Winston woman to the hospital Monday afternoon. A witness to the crash left before police arrived.

OSP Senior Trooper Robert Gorman told KVAL.com that the accident happened around 12:30 Monday afternoon on the Edenbower Boulevard overpass of I-5 at Roseburg. Gorman said a 2006 Nissan Altima being driven by Abby Butts, 33, of Winston, entered the overpass intersection at the same time as a 2003 Chevrolet pickup being driven by Donald Pitmon, 77, from Roseburg.

When emergency responders arrived on the scene, they transported Butts to Mercy Medical Center where she is being treated for injuries that are reported non-life threatening. Pitmon was uninjured in the crash.

Police are eager to speak to an adult female who was driving a red Ford Ranger pickup. The woman stopped at the scene of the crash, and police think she may have witnessed the incident, but she left before authorities could speak with her.

We would like to wish both Abby Butts and Donald Pitmon a full and speedy recovery from their injuries after what must have been a traumatic incident for both of them.

When something like this happens, it can hard to determine the reason for the accident.  Without a witness or CCTV footage, it could be difficult to determine who, if anyone, was at fault.

But a personal injury lawyer can help investigate and help determine if there was a medical problem, an unseen road block, a pedestrian that ran out in front of the car, etc.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer means you will not have to deal with the investigation yourself.

Investigation includes:

1. Analyzing police and fire reports, as well as insurance reports
2. Understanding the injuries, including the doctor’s notes and treatment plans
3. Examination of the accident scene, the surrounding circumstance, and even hiring an accident forensics specialist if needed
4. A determination of causality
5. Assessment of all damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering

If you’ve been in an accident, and you are unsure the cause or possible liability, call an experienced Portland personal injury lawyer for help – and they can help you understand your legal options. If there’s a question about who’s at fault for an accident, getting bills paid can be delayed and be complicated – so get help today.

Woman Died After Pulling Out in Front of Truck

Date:  April 3, 2012
Location:  Highway 126W, near Blue River
Names:  Johanna June Kirkpatrick, Ron A. Bonini

A Blue River woman died Tuesday afternoon when she pulled her car out of a parking lot and into the path of a moving truck on Highway 126W.

OSP Senior Trooper Blaine Hlebechuk told KVAL.com that the accident happened around 2:40 Tuesday afternoon. Johanna Kirkpatrick, 83, of Blue River, was exiting the parking lot of an automotive repair business located on the north side of Highway 126. She was driving a 2001 Ford Escort.

Trooper Hlebechuk said when the car exited the parking lot, it turned left in front of a U-Haul moving truck being driven by Ron Bonini, 42, from Eugene. The truck struck the driver’s side of the Escort, and when emergency responders arrived on the scene, they discovered that Kirkpatrick had been killed in the collision. Bonini was not injured in the crash.

We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Johanna Kirkpatrick at this tragic time.

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:

1. Get medical treatment. If you’ve been injured, waiting to seek medical treatment can greatly affect the value of your claim.
2. Right after the accident, write down any details you remember.
3. 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.
4. Determine the amount of property damage done.
5. Start keeping good records. Get the police report, copies of medical bills, pictures of your car before and after repairs, etc.
6. If you are considering hiring a lawyer, talk to the lawyer before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
7. 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.
8. Get all correspondence with both insurance companies in writing.
9. Do not sign anything until you are done treating and are medically stationary.
10. 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.
11. 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.