Portland Personal Injury Attorneys

Teen killed in single-vehicle wreck | Oregon Car Accident Lawyer

Date: May 15, 2009
Location: SE Stark Street, near Troutdale, OR
Type:  Car Accident
Outcome: One death, one major injury
Names: Laura Olson, Morgan Teeter

16-year-old Reynolds High School student Laura Olson was tragically killed in a single-vehicle accident on Friday while driving on SE Stark Street, just outside of Troutdale.  According to sheriff spokeswoman Lt. Mary Lindstrand, Olson was headed east in a Dodge truck on SE Stark when she seemed to lose control of the vehicle. The truck tumbled nearly 20 feet down a steep embankment near the Sandy River.  According to the Gresham Outlook, Olson’s passenger, classmate Morgan Teeter, survived the crash with major injuries and was transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center in Portland by LifeFlight.

While a preliminary report has indicated that high speed and driver inexperience may have led to the crash, neighbors have pointed out that Olson’s wreck is not the first of its kind in the area. Ray Robertson, who lives close to the site of the crash, has suggested that implementing a guard rail or lowering the speed limit on that stretch of road (currently 55 mph) might prevent future fatalities.

We at Shulman DuBois LLC extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family members of Laura Olson. Car accident fatalities are always tragic, but to lose somebody so young is especially heartbreaking. We are also keeping Morgan Teeter in our thoughts and prayers, and wishing her a full and speedy recovery.

As in Olson’s case, single-car accidents can be devastating. All too often, drivers in single-car crashes are blamed for wrecks that were not actually their fault. In this case, the Olson family may want to consult an Oregon personal injury lawyer to investigate the crash (often at no charge). If it turns out that poor road conditions led to Olson’s wreck, for instance, the Olson family could sue the city/county/state, receive compensation and — more importantly — prevent future fatalities on that stretch of road.

Remember: although 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 — which is NOT the same as 6 months. After 180 days, you cannot sue them, and there are no exceptions. To read more about how long you have to file a personal injury case, click here or order a free copy of 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.

Shulman DuBois, LLC, is located in Portland, Oregon, and serves clients in all Oregon cities and counties, including: Portland, Beaverton, Multnomah County, Hillsboro, Gresham, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tualatin, Troutdale, Sellwood, Corvallis, Salem, Eugene, and Albany.

Family of four injured in single car accident | Oregon Car Accident Lawyer

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.

Portland Police Arrest Man After Pursuit On I-205 | Portland Car Accident Attorney

Date: Saturday May 09, 2009, 6:17 PM
Location: I-205
Type: Car accidents, Uninsured Motorist Insurance

Tyrone Bowden drove away in a brown Cadillac when officers tried to stop him, because had an outstanding warrant.

According to the Oregonian, Bowden drove south on Interstate 205 with police in pursuit. He sideswiped two vehicles when he exited at Southeast Division Street, then crashed and ran from his car.

Two drivers in the vehicles that he hit were taken to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

Bowden is in Multnomah County Jail tonight on accusations of reckless driving, parole violations and assaulting and eluding police officers.

Many people might think that when an escaping convict crashes into you, there’s no way to get your medical bills paid, because he’s probably uninsured and broke and so there’s no point in suing him. That’s where uninsured motorist protection comes in. If you have car insurance, you’ve been paying for coverage in case someone uninsured hits you. Use it! This will cover you for a hit and run, uninsured motorist hit, or phantom vehicle collision.