Category Archives: Portland car accidents
7 People Sent to Hospital After SE Portland Crash
Date: April 19, 2014
Location: SE 139th Avenue and SE Stark St., SE Portland
Name: Not Named
A T-bone accident sent seven people to the hospital on Saturday night in SE Portland.
Police report that a pickup truck driver might have been intoxicated when he collided with a mini-van. The accident occurred at around 9:40 pm, at the intersection of SE 139th Avenue and SE Stark Street. The specific details of the collision are not yet know, but it appears that the driver of the pickup violated the right of way and then t-boned the mini-van as it was passing though the intersection. The crash was reported to be so loud; it woke up residents of the neighborhood.
A family of seven people, including an infant, had to be taken to an area hospital for treatment. Their conditions are not known and their names were not released.
The driver of the pickup, whose name has also not been released, was reported to admit to drinking prior to the crash to a police officer on scene. It is likely that the driver will be charged with driving while intoxicated in relation to this accident. No arrests have been reported yet.
We would like to express our best wishes to the members of this family who were injured by another’s negligence. We hope no one was seriously hurt and our thoughts are with you as you all recover.
Drunken driving accidents are tragedies that affect not only the victim, but often the victim’s family and friends as well. These cases are also legally complex and can face very strict time limits (as little as 180 days).
If you have been a victim of a drunk driving accident, you may be able to get compensation in a few ways:
You may be able to file a claim with the auto insurance of the at-fault driver.
You may be able to file a claim with your own insurance (if their insurance does not cover all your damages, it was a hit-and-run crash, or they do not have insurance).
You may be able to file a claim against the establishment or person that supplied the alcohol to the drunk driver through a Dram Shop Notice.
A Dram Shop Notice allows you to hold responsible whoever served and continued to serve alcohol to the drunk driver after they were visibly intoxicated, or whoever served alcohol to someone who is underage. This could be a bar, nightclub, restaurant, or whoever supplied the alcohol.
These establishments are required to properly train and incentivize their employees to act in accordance with the OLCC’s guidelines regarding intoxicated drinkers. They should not be allowed to do otherwise. A Dram Shop Notice is a special letter that tells the establishment that they are being held accountable for failing to follow these guidelines.
But if the proper establishment does not receive the Dram Shop Notice within 180 days, the claim may be forever lost. This very tight time limit destroys many otherwise valid claims. Let an Oregon injury attorney who is familiar with the law regarding drunk driving accidents help you through this difficult time, and get you on your way to recovery.
Workers Hit by SUV, One Dead
Date: April 9, 2014
Location: Joseph Gale Elementary School, Forest Grove
Names: J.T. Mercado-Nuno, Scott B. Bafaro
Police report that J.T. Mercado-Nuno of Hillsboro, 49, and Scott B. Bafaro of Portland, 27, were working with Oregon Green Thumb Landscape Maintenance, unloading equipment from a work trailer. An unnamed 25-year-old Forest Grove man collided with both of them, injuring one and killing the other.
A neighbor, Angela Johnson, witnessed the crash and immediately went to work, covering Mercado-Nuno with a blanket and performing CPR. Despite her best efforts, he died at the scene of the accident. The other worker, Scott B. Bafaro, was treated and released from an area hospital with minor injuries.
No citations were issued or arrests made and the SUV driver’s name has not been released. He reportedly stayed at the scene to help in the investigation and aid the injured parties.
We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of J.T. Mercado-Nuno, the man killed in this accident. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult and emotional time. We would also like to wish Scott Bafaro a fast and full recovery, as well as commend Angela Johnson for attempting to help the people injured in the accident.
The most vulnerable user on the road is a pedestrian: people are no match for cars, motorcycles, or even bicycles. Like Scott Bafaro, pedestrians who survive accidents are extremely lucky. Unfortunately, however, they often sustain serious injuries, and have very high medical bills as a result.
Fortunately, Oregon requires motorists to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) as part of their auto insurance. And according to Oregon law, if a pedestrian does not have auto insurance or health insurance, the at-fault driver’s auto insurance PIP coverage will cover the pedestrian.
This PIP coverage can be used to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and even household expenses until a settlement is made between insurance companies. If a pedestrian does have auto insurance or health insurance, they will be able to use their own PIP or health insurance until a settlement is reached. If lost wages and household expenses exceed the injury victim’s PIP (or the pedestrian does not have PIP), then the driver’s PIP coverage will apply as well.
A knowledgeable Portland personal injury attorney familiar with pedestrian accidents can help you win a settlement to pay for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages and can also help you gain access to the at-fault driver’s PIP coverage. They can also negotiate with your insurance, the at-fault driver’s insurance, and your health insurance to minimize what you will have to pay back.
One Killed, One Injured in Single-Vehicle Crash
Date: March 9, 2014
Location: Highway 18, Sheridan
Names: Richard Sullivan, Cathie Sullivan
Police report that 67-year-old Cathie Sullivan was traveling on Highway 18 when she lost control of her vehicle. The car traveled off the right shoulder of the highway, into a ditch, went airborne and then stuck a power pole. Both Sullivan and her passenger, Richard Sullivan, 92, of Portland, were trapped in the vehicle until emergency crews arrived.
They were extricated from the vehicle by Sheridan Fire District firefighters. Richard Sullivan died at the scene of the accident while Cathie Sullivan had to be airlifted to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. Her current condition was not reported.
The accident is still under investigation, though speed was not believed to be a contributing factor. No citations were issued or arrests made and seatbelt use was not mentioned.
We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Richard Sullivan, the man killed in this accident. We are very sorry for your loss. In addition, our best wishes for a fast and full recovery go out to Cathie Sullivan.
While many single car accidents are considered to be the fault of the driver, it is not uncommon for these types of accidents to be more complex than they appear. Poorly maintained roads, bad signage or traffic control devices, negligent mechanics, car manufacturing defects and/or poor design, can all contribute to a single-car accident.
To protect your rights, and any potential claim you may have, it is imperative to investigate these other possible causes as soon as possible. Road repairs, changes to the intersection, etc., can all obscure the evidence you might need to prove your claim. And, if a public body is negligent, you may lose your rights if you don’t send an Oregon Tort Claim within 180 days.
In a single-car accident, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) should cover all your lost wages and medical bills up to at least $15,000 (the minimum coverage required by Oregon law). PIP is no-fault insurance, so PIP applies no matter who is found at fault for the accident.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a single car accident that they believe was not their fault, consider talking to an experienced Portland accident attorney or reading 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case, which can answer the most common questions people have after a car accident.
One Killed, Five Injured in NE Portland Crash
Date: February 16, 2014
Location: Near intersection of NE Fremont St. and NE 102nd Ave., Portland
Names: African-American male, five others
The crash occurred near the intersection of Northeast 102nd Avenue and Northeast Fremont Street in the city of Maywood park, Portland.
According to reports an African-American male was killed on the spot while five others were injured and taken to hospital for treatment. Police have said that they are continuing investigations. The driver of the vehicle has not been identified and police said that it was too early to state if speed, drugs, or alcohol contributed to the crash.
We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of the dead man and hope the injured recover completely and quickly.
Our hearts and sincere condolences go out to the friends and family of the dead man during this challenging and tragic time.
In these cases the grief of losing a loved one is deepened by the knowledge that their death may have been due to someone else’s negligence. While it is a small consolation, it is possible to file a wrongful death claim under ORS 30.010-30.1000.
The Oregon statute outlines who is entitled to compensation. Spouses, children, and parents are the most common claimants, but under some circumstances, grandchildren, siblings, and grandparents may be able to bring a wrongful death claim as well. A Personal Representative, usually chosen by the family and approved by a judge, must bring the lawsuit for these beneficiaries.
It is important to note that the time limits for filing a wrongful death claims are very complicated and depend entirely on the circumstances. Your time limit (statute of limitations) may be as little as one year, so preserving evidence and seeking legal help in a timely manner can be extremely important to the case.
If you need to speak with a Portland wrongful death attorney, most offer free consultations. Many will also help you investigate the accident for free until you decide what to do about representation. Let them help you navigate this legal process, so that you can grieve without jeopardizing your rights.
If you are looking for more information about wrongful death claims, please order our free guide, Oregon Wrongful Deaths: A Family Guide to the Civil Justice System After the Death of a Loved One.
Hit and Run Driver Arrested After Police Get Tip
Date: February 15, 2014
Location: Southeast Powell Boulevard, Portland
Names: Douglas Miller, Jay Jenkins
Jay Jenkins, 24, of Portland, has been arrested in relation to a fatal hit and run.
Police report that Douglas Miller, 60, was walking on Southeast Powell Boulevard, at 124th Avenue on Saturday night. There, he was hit by a silver minivan and was injured. The minivan then left the scene without rendering assistance or calling for help.
After receiving a tip, police officers arrested Jay Jenkins and charged him with second-degree manslaughter, obstructing government officials, tampering with physical evidence and failure to perform the duties of a driver after an injury. Another man, Jerin Nigel Crabtree, 29, was arrested for tampering with evidence, as he allegedly assisted Jenkins, who tried to repair the car involved in the accident.
Jenkins was given bail of $260,000 and was arraigned on Tuesday morning. There was no information regarding the status of Crabtree’s arrest.
We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Douglas Miller, the man killed in this accident. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you during this difficult time. We are very glad that police were able to find the suspect, so he can be held accountable for his actions.
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, there are over 1,000 hit and run injury accidents in the state every year. These often tragic and disturbing crashes affect pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc. – and often greatly affect their families as well.
ORS 811.705 explains that it is a criminal offense to hit a person, animal, or private property and leave the scene without rendering aid, exchanging information, and reporting the accident to the DMV. This failure to perform the duties of a driver is a crime, and in some instances, a felony.
Just because you don’t know who hit you, doesn’t mean you can’t get help. In Oregon, every driver is required to have at least $25,000 in Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. This means you can file a claim with your own insurance.
Filing a claim with your own insurance can be confusing, however, so talk to a dedicated Portland hit and run attorney to discuss your case for free, or consider ordering our Free Oregon Accident Book to learn more about UIM insurance coverage.
Weather Contributed to Deadly Crash on I-84
Date: February, 7, 2014
Location: I-84, Rooster Rock State Park
Names: Kimberly Hayes, Andrew Evensen
A woman was killed in a single vehicle accident on I-84 on Friday, February 7, 2014.
Police report that Andrew Evensen, 35, was operating his 1988 Ford Explorer in the westbound lane of I-84 in the mid afternoon near Rooster Rock State Park. Weather conditions were icy and wind gusts upwards of 35 mph were reported at the time. Evensen lost control of the vehicle and it left the roadway before colliding with a tree.
Evensen had Kimberly Hayes as a passenger in his vehicle. They both suffered serious injuries in the collision. Oregon State Troopers performed CPR on Hayes until emergency personal arrived at the scene, but her injuries were too severe and she passed away before medical providers could reach her. Evensen was seriously injured in the accident and was taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital for treatment. He remains in critical condition there.
Police report that both parties were wearing their seatbelts and that weather played a significant factor in the crash.
We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Kimberly Hayes, the woman killed in this crash. Our thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the Andrew Evensen, the man injured in the accident.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, rain is a part of our every day lives. So much so that we sometimes forget that driving in rainy or icy conditions can be dangerous and lead to catastrophic motor vehicle accidents.
If the accident was “caused” by ice or rain, be sure to investigate. In many cases, the bad weather only contributed to the crash. The at-fault driver’s negligence or improper driving may also have contributed.
If you have been injured in a bad weather crash, investigate whether the other driver might have been negligent. Ask questions:
- Was the driver going to fast for conditions?
- Was the driver distracted?
- Was the driver on the phone?
Each driver needs to be careful to drive slowly and pay more attention during harsh weather conditions. Otherwise, the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company may need to compensate anyone injured in a crash. In Oregon, every driver should have at least $25,000 in liability insurance for crashes like this.
If you were a passenger in a bad weather accident, you can pursue compensation through the liability coverage of your driver’s auto insurance policy or the auto insurance of the other driver in the crash – whichever driver is found to be at-fault should cover your injuries.
If you have questions about how to get compensation after a bad weather accident, please contact a Portland personal injury lawyer.
Portland Accident News 