Uninsured Motorist

Date: May 31, 2009
Location: Northwest Lower River Road, Vancouver, WA
Type: Car Accident
Outcome: 1 Minor Injury
Names: Andrey Runov, Clarissa Kemrer, Kelly Ehrich

Vancouver woman Kelly Ehrich, 33, had to be transported by ambulance to Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital last night after a three-vehicle crash on Northwest Lower River Road. According to The Oregonian, the crash happened when 24-year-old Andrey Runov of Portland, headed southbound, attempted to pass a car driven by Clarissa Kemrer in a no-passing zone entering a blind S-curve. Runov slammed into Ehrich’s northbound vehicle, forcing it off the roadway. Runov then collided with Kemrer’s vehicle, pushing it off the road on the west side and causing it to roll over. Vancouver police reported that Runov was driving above the 45 mph speed limit.
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Date: May 16, 2009
Location: Highway 101, Brookings, OR
Type:  Car Accident
Outcome: Minor Injuries
Names: Beverly Gilmore-Engdahl, Vivian Simon

Beverly Gilmore-Engdahl, 66, and Vivian Simon, 84, were treated for non-life threatening injuries at Sutter Coast Hospital after being involved in a hit and run crash on Saturday afternoon, just south of Brookings on Highway 101. According to Recruit Trooper Jess Oliver, Gilmore-Engdahl was driving northbound with passenger Simon in a 2007 Jeep when a southbound green 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe tried to make a u-turn in Gilmore-Engdahl’s path, causing the Jeep to strike the Tahoe’s right rear.  The collision resulted in moderate damage to both the left front of Gilmore-Engdahl’s Jeep, and to the right rear of the Tahoe.

Unfortunately, the driver of the 1996 Chevrolet fled the scene and headed southbound after the crash. The Oregon State Police is currently calling on the public to help find the suspect vehicle and its driver, KTVL reported.  Anyone with information about the suspect vehicle should call the OSP Southern Command Center dispatch at (541) 247-7050. Hit and run is a serious violation of Oregon Vehicle Code 811.705.

Our thoughts are with the victims of this hit and run.  We hope that both parties make a full recovery from any injuries they have suffered.

As most drivers have experienced, getting into a car crash because of someone else’s carelessness is frustrating enough. It is even worse when that person flees the scene of the accident.  Fortunately, it is still possible for victims of hit and runs to get compensation for their injuries and losses, even if they do not know who hit them. In Oregon, automobile insurance is required to include Uninsured Motorist protection: coverage in case you are hit by someone who does not have enough insurance (or insurance at all) to fully compensate you for your injuries. Hit and run drivers are included in UM coverage.

If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, we encourage you to first educate yourself: check out our guide to “What to do if you have been the victim of a hit and run in Oregon” and request a free copy of 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case. The book includes an entire section on UM insurance, and how to make the most of it. Finally, you may want to consult an experienced Oregon personal injury lawyer who knows the ins and outs of UM coverage and will fight to make sure you get fair compensation.

Date: May 4, 2009
Location: Intersection of NE 21st and NE Columbia
Names: Brandon Dahren
Type: Automobile vs Bicycle – Hit and Run
Outcome: Serious Injuries

Brandon Dahren was the victim of a hit and run accident while riding his bicycle in northeast Portland.  He was riding his bike through the intersection of Northeast 21st St and Columbia Boulevard when an SUV slammed into his front wheel.  Dahren was placed in intensive care at Legacy Emanuel Hospital with a broken nose and missing teeth after his handlebars spun around and he struck the passenger’s side mirror.  He managed to stumble the half-block to his work, where they called for an ambulance.

The worst part of the accident is that the driver of the SUV- a green or teal 90’s Ford Explorer- never stopped or asked if Dahren was alright.  Fortunately, Brandon Dahren is expected to make a full recovery. The Portland police are still searching for the driver of the vehicle.

Portland intersections can be a dangerous place for bicyclists despite their heavy volume.  There were 700 accidents involving bicycles from 2003-2006, and there were two fatalities in October alone.

Our hearts go out to Mr. Dahren and his family.  We can only imagine how awful it is to know that someone caused an injury like this and then did not even have the human decency to stick around and call for help, let alone take responsibility for his actions.

Right now Brandon Dahren’s focus needs to be on healing.  We  hope that the driver is identified, and made to feel the effects of the law.

Branden Dahren and his family should also know, though, that if the the driver is never found, they still have legal options.  The best Portland personal injury attorneys will know how to use Uninsured Motorist Coverage to compensate Mr. Dahren for his injuries.

Date: April 25, 2009
Location: Intersection of Hwy 26 and Orient Drive in Sandy, OR
Type: Car Accident
Names: Matthew D. Ingle, Pamela Benson, Clarice Benson

Pamela Benson, 42, and daughter Clarice Benson were killed while making a left turn at the intersection of Orient Drive and Hwy 26 in Sandy, OR. The accident occurred at approximately 5:00 pm on Saturday, April 25th.  Witnesses reported that 18-year-old Matthew D. Ingle ran a red light at the intersection resulting in the collision, killing mother and daughter.  Pamela Benson was pronounced dead at the scene.  Her 11 year-old daughter, was rushed to Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) in a LifeFlight helicopter.  She too, was soon pronounced dead.

The Oregon State Police are continuing to investigate the accident.  According to KOIN, Ingle was arrested upon release from OHSU for unrelated charges including second-degree burglary, attempting to elude a police officer, reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person.  Ingle awaits arraignment, with a $55,000 bail requirement.

We at Shulman DuBois LLC extend our condolences to the friends and family of Pamela Benson and her daughter Clarice Benson.  We can only imagine with horror what they must be going through.

The Bensons were residents of Eagle Creek, Oregon, whose residents were shaken by the fatalities.  Clarice’s classmates are working through the loss with the teachers and staff Cedar Ridge Middle School, according to local news sources. Such incidents are particularly difficult for children who know victims of such tragedy.  We wish all the best to those grieving the loss of Pamela and Clarice.

A traffic signal at the increasingly dangerous intersection had been installed in 2005, as reported by the Estacada News.  Both victims were wearing their seat belts.  Oregon State Police, Clackamas County DA office and interagency crash investigation team, the Sandy Police and ODOT are all contributing services in the investigation, according to the Estacada News.

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.