Two Vehicle Crash Near Gaston Sends Seven To Hospital – Washington County

Courtesy of Oregon State Police

On May 28, 2016, at about 10:30PM, OSP Troopers from the North Plains Worksite and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle injury crash on Highway 47 at Seghers Road (just north of Gaston).

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2003 Ford F-350 pickup was southbound on Highway 47 waiting to turn left onto Seghers Road when it was struck from behind by a 2009 GMC Acadia SUV. The impact sent the pickup across the northbound lane of Highway 47 and into the ditch.

The driver of the GMC, Theresa TRICARICO, age 45, of Gaston, had to be extricated from the vehicle and was transported via air ambulance to OHSU with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. TRICARICO’s five passengers in the vehicle all received minor injuries and were transported to OHSU via ground ambulance.

The driver of the Ford pickup, Eileen “Michelle” KORMAN, age 50, of Gaston, received minor injuries and was transported via ground ambulance to Saint Vincent Hospital in Portland.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. The highway was briefly shut down for about 20-30 minutes for air ambulance to land and for medical personnel to finish extrication of TRICARICO. OSP was assisted at the scene by Forest Grove Police, Forest Grove Fire Department, Metro West Ambulance and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

This was a terrible tragedy, and we just hope everyone involved in the crash knows that there are a lot of people thinking of them.

The period after an accident like this can be a very confusing and challenging time. We feel fortunate to be able to provide victims of these types of accidents with resources that help navigate these challenging and trying times. We hope these resources help answer some of the difficult questions you have after an 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. Get all correspondence with both insurance companies in writing.
8. Do not sign anything until you are done treating and are medically stationary.
9. 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.
10. 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.