Motorycle Crash Kills Klamath Falls Man – Klamath County

Photo of Portland State Police

On May 30, 2016 at about 6:15 PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a motorcycle crash on Running Y Road near Highway 140.

Initial investigation revealed a 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling southbound on Running Y Road approaching Highway 140 when it failed to negotiate a sharp curve. The motorcycle traveled across a grassy area before ejecting the operator into a pond.

The operator, James D DEHART, age 47, of Klamath Falls, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Speed is being considered as contributing factor in the crash. More information will be released when it becomes available.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those involved in this accident.

One of the most difficult parts of an accident like this is the fact that there will be immediate bills that will need to be taken care of in a timely manner. The period after an accident like this can be a very confusing and challenging time especially when friends and family may be involved. 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 and how mounting medical bills or a wrongful death can be addressed.

This is a sensitive time for all those involved but it is important to remember that the lives of those left behind must be protected to the fullest extent of the law.

Oregon wrongful death claims are allowed under ORS 30.020, 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.

LaPine Woman In Fiery Crash On Highway 58 – Lane County

Photo Courtesy of Oregon State Police

On May 9th, 2016 at about 6:45AM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Highway 58 near milepost 19 (east of Lowell).

Preliminary investigation reveals a 1995 GMC sport utility was traveling eastbound when it departed the highway and rolled over multiple times. The vehicle caught fire and the driver, Jessie L SHADER, age 24, of LaPine, was able to exit the vehicle before it became fully engulfed.

SHADER was transported to McKenzie Willamette Emergency Room for minor injuries sustained in the crash. OSP was assisted on scene by Oakridge Fire and Rescue, the Oregon Department of Transportation and Union Pacific.

More information will be released when available as the investigation is continuing.

While many single-car accidents seem uncomplicated, there are sometimes other factors to consider.

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 or lost a loved on in a single-car accident, 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.

OSP Continuing Fatal Crash on I-84, Six Miles West of Arlington – Gilliam County

Photo Courtesy of Oregon State Police

On Sunday, May 1, 2016, at approximately 4:33 a.m., Oregon State Police (OSP) was notified of a single vehicle rollover crash which had occurred on Interstate 84 near milepost 132 westbound (six miles west of Arlington). Medical personnel from the Gilliam County Fire Department and Oregon State Police arrived and located two individuals who were both severely injured.

The driver was identified as Justin Matthew FLOWERS, age 24, from Portland, and the passenger, Hayden Michael SWANSON, age 23, from Portland. Life Flight transported FLOWERS to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington and SWANSON was transported by ground ambulance to Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles. During transport to the hospital, FLOWERS succumbed to his injuries. After arrival at the hospital in The Dalles, SWANSON was also transported by Life Flight to OHSU in Portland, where he is in critical but stable condition.

The investigation revealed the vehicle, a 1999 Chevy C15 SUV, had been westbound on the interstate in the early morning hours, when for an unknown reasons it left the roadway, crashed through the north side guardrail and rolled down a rock embankment, coming to rest approximately 150 feet from the roadway. Preliminary information indicates that both FLOWERS and SWANSON had not been using their seat belts at the time of the crash and were ejected from the vehicle. Speed and fatigue are being considered to be contributing factors for the crash.

Oregon State Police was assisted by Gilliam County Ambulance, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Life flight, Richland Police Department and Benton County Washington Coroner’s Office.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those involved in this accident. This was a terrible accident, and we hope everyone involved in the crash knows that there are thinking of their families and the life lost.

One of the most difficult parts of an accident like this is the fact that there will be immediate bills that will need to be taken care of in a timely manner. The period after an accident like this can be a very confusing and challenging time especially when friends and family may be involved. 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 and how mounting medical bills or a wrongful death can be addressed.

This is a sensitive time for all those involved but it is important to remember that the lives of those left behind must be protected to the fullest extent of the law.

Oregon wrongful death claims are allowed under ORS 30.020, 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.

Interstate 5 Crash Takes Life Of California Man – Jackson County

Photo Courtesy OSP

On April 12, 2016 at about 2:40PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Interstate 5 southbound milepost 19 (near Ashland).

Preliminary investigation revealed that the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle drove off the roadway, down an embankment and rolled over. The driver, Robert D BUTLER, age 85, of Montague, California, was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.

OSP is still investigating contributing factor(s) but can confirm BUTLER was not using his safety belt. A number of citizens sopped at the scene prior to emergency personnel arriving. Among them were a commercial truck driver and a male driving a motorhome who left prior to speaking to troopers.

OSP is asking for witnesses of the crash to call 541 664-8365. More information will be released when it becomes available as this is an ongoing investigation.

While many single-car accidents seem uncomplicated, there are sometimes other factors to consider.

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 or lost a loved on in a single-car accident, 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.

Paul R Kipp Killed in Single Car Accident on Highway 101

Date: March 19, 2016

Location: Highway 101 Clatsop County, Ore.

Victims: Paul R Kipp

Clatsop County, Ore. – Oregon State Police and emergency crews responded at about 8 p.m. to a single car accident near mile-post 27, (just north of Cannon Beach) on March 19, 2016.

OSP preliminary investigations indicated that a 1998 Volvo sedan traveling soundbound on Highway 101 failed to negotiate a curve in the highway. The Volvo left the roadway and crashed into a grove of trees.

Emergency crews arrived on-scene and discovered the driver, Paul R Kipp, age 63, of Portland, and pronounced him deceased at the scene. There were no other vehicle occupants.

Oregon State Police were assisted by Seaside Fire and Rescue, Medix Ambulance, Cannon Beach Police and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

This is an ongoing investigation but speed is considered a possible contributing factor.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Paul Kipp. This was a terrible accident, and there is no way to bring back the victim but there are rights that Mr. Kipp’s family have.

The period after an accident like this can be a very confusing and challenging time especially when friends and family may be involved. 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.

While many single-car accidents seem uncomplicated, there are sometimes other factors to consider.

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 or lost a loved on in a single-car accident, 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.

 

Names of Victims in Fatal Single Car Accident in Molalla Released

(Bonham family/Kim Merklin)

Date: March 4, 2016

Location: Mollala, Ore.

Victims: Douglas Bonham & Matthew Albrecht

Update Sunday, March 6: Victims of fatal single car accident in Molalla have been released.

Two people died in a single-car accident on Friday March 4^th in Mololla, Oregon. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s office has released the names of both victims. Douglas Bonhan, 30, a teacher at Silverton’s Bethany Charter School and Matthew Albrecht, 16 who Bonham had mentored for years. Albrecht was a passenger in the 2005 Honda Accord.

The accident was discovered by another motorist at approximately 7:15 p.m. Friday at the 32000 block of S. Palmer Road, according to Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.

Our condolences go out to the families and friends of Matthew Albrecht and Douglas Bonham. Bonham is survived by two young children and his wife. A GoFundMe page has been setup for Bonham’s family, please take a moment to visit their page.

When accidents like this happen it is important that you protect the rights of those who lost their life and their family.

Oregon wrongful death claims are allowed under ORS 30.020, 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.