Wallowa County Crash Kills Woman as Car Falls into a Canyon

Date: November 10, 2014

Location: Oregon Route 3

Name: Sonja Louise Johnson

Wallowa County Crash Kills Woman as Car Falls into a Canyon

On Monday a 23-year-old was killed when her car fell 500 feet down a canyon off Oregon Route 3 in Wallowa County.

A northbound 2002 Oldsmobile Alero crossed the southbound lane, traveled off the shoulder and fell into a canyon around 4pm.

Sonja Louise Johnson of Asotin, Washington, was pronounced dead at the scene and was wearing a seat belt.

Car accidents can be life-changing, and we extend our condolences to the family and friends of Sonja Louise Johnson.

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:

1.  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.
2.  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.
3.  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.