70 Year Old Woman Trapped Inside Car in Wilson River

Date:  April 17, 2012
Location:  Highway 6, near milepost 6, east of Tillamook
Name:  James A. Garling Sr., Helga Garling

A Tillamook woman was in critical condition Tuesday night after being trapped inside a car that had gone into the Wilson River, east of Tillamook. Her husband, who had been driving the car, told police he may have fallen asleep behind the wheel.

According to the report on tdn.com, 70-year-old Tillamook man, James A. Garling Sr., was driving a 2003 Honda Accord west on Highway 6. At about 5 p.m., the car left the highway, went through a ditch and struck a hillside. It then veered back across the highway and left the south shoulder, before rolling down a 100-foot embankment and plunging into the Wilson River.

Garling Sr., was able to get out of the car with the help of witnesses, but they were unable to reach his wife, Helga Garling, also 70, in the semi-submerged vehicle. Three trained swift water technicians went into the water; a cable was attached to the car, and it was partially pulled from the water. Paramedics immediately started CPR on the woman, and she was taken first to Tillamook County General Hospital, then transferred to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, where she was listed in critical condition Tuesday night.

Car accidents can be life-changing, and we hope this unfortunate woman is able to fully recover soon.

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.