Date: May 8, 2009
Location: Highway 126E, Blue River, OR
Type: Car Accident
Outcome: 2 Major Injuries, 2 Minor Injuries
Names: Robert Pielaet, Marion Pielaet, Angela Pielat
Oregon Highway 126E was the scene of an unfortunate single car accident injuring a family of four, two seriously. Marion Pielaet, 30, drove westbound on Highway 20, at about 1:45 in the afternoon on May 8th. She was accompanied by her husband, 31 year-old Robert Pielaet, and their two children, 3 year-old Angela and their other daughter, only 16 months-old. Their silver mini-van steered off the road and collided with a telephone pole. The accident occurred about ten miles east of Blue River, according to Recruit Trooper Day.
All family members were using proper safety restraints. According to Oregon State Police Flash Alert, all four were taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Springfield at RiverBend. Robert Pielaet suffered serious injury, as did daughter Angela who was transported by LifeFlight. Marion Pielaet and her 16 month-old daughter received minor injuries.
We at Shulman DuBois LLC hope the family recovers fully, and as soon as possible. While the accident could have been far worse, the injuries to Robert and Angela are certainly alarming.
Highway 126E had to be closed for roughly 15 minutes to create a safe landing zone for LifeFlight. Various local services were involved at the scene including Oregon State Police Troopers, ODOT and local emergency vehicle services, reported Salem-News.com.
It is always difficult to be injured in an accident, but it can be even worse when it is a single-car accident. The family will have to work hard to stick together after a horrible tragedy like this. If the wreck was caused by driver error, Robert Pielaet will probably not want to sue his own wife. But sometimes the insurance companies use that reluctance against injury victims, and refuse to pay reasonable compensation without a lawsuit against your own husband or wife!
A good Oregon personal injury attorney would know how to get maximum compensation from the insurance company without Robert Pielaet having to sue his own wife, which is a situation nobody wants.
If, on the other hand, the accident was caused by faulty equipment, or a careless repair job by a mechanic, or perhaps poorly maintained roads, then the Pielaets would have other options.
If there is any possibility at all of a lawsuit against a Oregon, Lane County, or a city entity – for damaged roads, poor signs, leaving debris in the road, or the like, then the Pielaets have to be very careful because even though the normal statute of limitations in Oregon for an injury is 2 years, if you are suing a city, county, or state entity, you have to give notice within 180 days. (Don’t make a common mistake: 180 days is not the same thing as 6 months!) If you miss that deadline, your cannot sue them! There are no exceptions.
In any case, automobile crashes are an all too familiar reality. All of us have been in, or know someone who has been, in a serious accident. Often these incidents result in injuries, serious enough to alter one’s life. That’s why we at Shulman DuBois LLC take our job seriously. Representation in injury-related accidents requires experience, tenacity and sensitivity. While each case is unique, our commitment to clients is consistent. We work for the best possible outcome to our clients. If you or someone you know should need the services of a Portland personal injury attorney, call us at 503-222-4411, and educate yourself by reading our Frequently Asked Questions, explore our library and order your free copy of 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.
As of the date we posted this blog, Shulman DuBois LLC does not represent any of the parties. If you are mentioned in this article and believe you may need legal help, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Oregon law firms specializing in personal injury, including us, will provide free and confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to call and ask questions.
