Cyclist Struck by Car and Injured in Redmond

Date: December 18, 2015

Location: Highway 126

Names: Kelli Ann Dixon, Kristoffer Gittins

Cyclist Struck by Car and Injured in Redmond

Friday morning a cyclist was riding on Highway 126 near Southeast Lake Road when he was struck by a car and injured.

Kristoffer Gittins, 39, of Redmond, was riding eastbound in the middle of the highway’s westbound lanes when he was struck by a westbound 2010 Kia driven by Kelli Ann Dixon, 32, of Prineville.

Dixon was unable to avoid the cyclist coming at her vehicle head-on.

Gittins was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

We wish Kristoffer Gittins a full and speedy recovery, and we hope this accident serves as a reminder to drivers to be careful around Oregon bicyclists.

When a bicyclist gets hit by car, the injuries are often severe. 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.
• Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP through your own auto insurance) still applies in this type of case, so use your own auto insurance to pay medical bills until you settle your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance.
• If you don’t have an auto insurance policy, then your health insurance will cover your medical bills. If you don’t have auto or health insurance, the at-fault driver’s PIP should cover your medical bills.
• The at-fault driver’s insurance should eventually cover all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and even damage to your bicycle, up to the policy limit.
• You have two years (in most cases) to file a claim, but sooner is usually better. 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 adjusters for the bad driver are not your friends. Their job is to save the insurance 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.

Bicyclist Hit and Killed by Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy

Date: November 19, 2015

Location: Highway 99W

Names: Kimberly K. Wyatt, Ed Lagrone

Bicyclist Hit and Killed by Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy

Thursday evening, a sheriff’s deputy hit and killed a bicyclist on Highway 99W just south of the Beltline.

Deputy Ed Lagrone was driving a Ford F150 patrol vehicle when he struck Kimberly K. Wyatt, 54, of Eugene.

Wyatt was riding in the left portion of the slow lane with no rear light or reflector and dark clothing.

Wyatt was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash is under investigation.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Kimberly K. Wyatt, and we hope this accident serves as a reminder to drivers to be careful around Oregon bicyclists.

When a bicyclist gets hit by car, the injuries are often severe. 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.
• Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP through your own auto insurance) still applies in this type of case, so use your own auto insurance to pay medical bills until you settle your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance.
• If you don’t have an auto insurance policy, then your health insurance will cover your medical bills. If you don’t have auto or health insurance, the at-fault driver’s PIP should cover your medical bills.
• The at-fault driver’s insurance should eventually cover all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and even damage to your bicycle, up to the policy limit.
• You have two years (in most cases) to file a claim, but sooner is usually better. 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 adjusters for the bad driver are not your friends. Their job is to save the insurance 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.

Hit-and-Run Driver Strikes Cyclist in Northeast Portland

Date: October 22, 2015

Location: Northeast 13^th and Wygant Street

Names: Aleah Greene, Rodney Lopes

Hit-and-Run Driver Strikes Cyclist in Northeast Portland

The hit-and-run driver that struck a cyclist on NE 13^th and Wygant Street turned himself in and was arrested on Friday evening.

Aleah Greene was bicycling on NE 13^th and Wygant Street when a white Dodge mini-van struck her and then took off.

Greene was lucky to only suffer minor injuries.

The van was found by a Portland resident right by Greene’s home. The man inside, Rodney Lopes, 52, denied hitting Greene and disappeared.

Lopes later turned himself in that night and is facing felony hit-and-run charges.

We hope Aleah Greene is able to recover from this accident, and that the hit and run driver is held accountable. Hit and run drivers are cowards and criminals, and as Portland attorneys for hit and run injury victims we hope this driver is found soon. Remember, hit and run drivers can be punished in both criminal and civil cases.

According to Oregon law (ORS 811.705), drivers are required to remain at the scene if anyone is injured. If a driver does not do this, they can have criminal charges brought against them once they are found.

We encourage anyone who has witnessed a hit and run to come forward with information! You can call our office and we will ensure that your identity is protected, and the information is sent to the right person. If you feel more comfortable calling a hotline, DuBois Law Group LLC sponsors the Hit and Run Reward program that gives financial incentives for reluctant witnesses to come forward after hit and run incidents. Remember, you are helping the person who was hit and you are helping protect our streets from drivers who do not obey the laws.

In cases like this, the hit and run driver can also have a civil lawsuit brought against them for all damages to the injury victim. Anyone injured by a hit and run driver has the right to seek legal recourse for injuries and damages to property. This compensation can come from the at-fault driver’s insurance or any personal assets they have.

In many cases, the hit and run driver left the scene because:

• They did not have insurance.
• They were driving intoxicated.

If the driver was driving intoxicated, you may still be able to file a claim with their insurance company, if you can identify the driver.

If you cannot find the driver, however, OR they do not have insurance, you can still file a claim through your own uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your own auto policy.

We understand that this is a complicated process, and we recommend discussing your case with a Portland hit and run accident attorney who offers free consultations if you have any questions.

Boy on Bike Hit by Van in Eugene

Date: October 12, 2015

Location: Royal Avenue and Danebo Street

Names: Mason Goeserich, Fenton Grossman

Boy on Bike Hit by Van in Eugene

Monday morning a boy bicycling to school was hit by a van in Eugene.

A van driven by Fenton Grossman, 50, was making a left turn onto Royal Avenue when it struck Mason Goeserich, 12, who was in a crosswalk near Danebo Street.

Goeserich suffered major head trauma and was taken to the hospital. He was not wearing a helmet.

We wish Mason Goeserich a full and speedy recovery, and we hope this accident serves as a reminder to drivers to be careful around Oregon bicyclists.

When a bicyclist gets hit by car, the injuries are often severe. 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.
• Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP through your own auto insurance) still applies in this type of case, so use your own auto insurance to pay medical bills until you settle your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance.
• If you don’t have an auto insurance policy, then your health insurance will cover your medical bills. If you don’t have auto or health insurance, the at-fault driver’s PIP should cover your medical bills.
• The at-fault driver’s insurance should eventually cover all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and even damage to your bicycle, up to the policy limit.
• You have two years (in most cases) to file a claim, but sooner is usually better. 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 adjusters for the bad driver are not your friends. Their job is to save the insurance 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.

Newberg Bicyclist Killed in Collision with Vehicle

Date: September 8, 2015

Location: North Valley Road

Names: Tara Janel Manitsas, David Lee Manitsas, Nancy Rae Faunt

Newberg Bicyclist Killed in Collision with Vehicle

Tuesday evening a Newberg woman was struck and killed by a car while riding a bicycle.

Tara Janel Manitsas, 44, of Newberg, and her husband, David Lee Manitsas, 60, were riding side-by-side on North Valley Road near Dopp Road. A 2007 Toyota RAV4 traveling in the same direction struck the two bicyclists and carried them on the hood of the SUV about 100 feet before the driver stopped.

Tara Manitsas was pronounced dead at the scene and David Manitsas was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

The Toyota driver, Nancy Rae Faunt, 71, of Gaston, is cooperating with investigators.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Tara Manitsas and wish David Manitsas a full and speedy recovery.

Oregon wrongful death claims are allowed under ORS 30.010-30.100, but the law is much more complicated than a normal accident case. First of all, the statute of limitations (SOL)(time limit on filing a claim) is different. For most car accidents, the SOL is two years, but for wrongful death, the SOL is “three years after the injury causing the death . . . is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. . . .”

Additionally, there are limits on who can bring a wrongful death claim. The most common claimants are:

• Spouses
• Children (including stepchildren)
• Parents (including stepparents)

Less common claimants include:

• Grandchildren
• Siblings
• Grandparents

In a wrongful death case, you can ask for compensation for several types of damages such as:

• Charges for medical services;
• Charges for burial and memorial services;
• Compensation that the decedent would have been entitled to for disability, pain and suffering, and loss of income during the period between injury and death;
• Compensation for “pecuniary loss” to the decedent’s estate;
• Compensation for the loss of the decedent’s “society, companionship and services” to the decedent’s spouse, children, stepchildren, stepparents, and parents;

Punitive damages are allowed as well, but are rare in Oregon since the State takes 70% of punitive damages awarded. If you have lost a loved one, call a Portland wrongful death attorney for help in securing the compensation you deserve.

Bicyclist Killed in Corbett Vehicle Accident

Date: June 27, 2015

Location: East Haines Road

Name: Austin Crenshaw

Bicyclist Killed in Corbett Vehicle Accident

Saturday morning a Portland man died after his bicycle crashed and went into oncoming traffic near Corbett.

Austin Crenshaw, 38, of Portland, and several other bicyclists were traveling downhill eastbound on East Haines Road.  Crenshaw crashed on a curve and his bike traveled into the westbound lanes of traffic, striking a vehicle heading uphill.

Crenshaw died at the scene from traumatic injuries.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Austin Crenshaw, and we hope this accident serves as a reminder to drivers to be careful around Oregon bicyclists.

When a bicyclist gets hit by car, the injuries are often severe. 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.
• Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP through your own auto insurance) still applies in this type of case, so use your own auto insurance to pay medical bills until you settle your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance.
• If you don’t have an auto insurance policy, then your health insurance will cover your medical bills. If you don’t have auto or health insurance, the at-fault driver’s PIP should cover your medical bills.
• The at-fault driver’s insurance should eventually cover all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and even damage to your bicycle, up to the policy limit.
• You have two years (in most cases) to file a claim, but sooner is usually better. 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 adjusters for the bad driver are not your friends. Their job is to save the insurance 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.