Portland Fatal Traffic Accident Raises Oregon Wrongful Death Issues

A Portland traffic accident last week that resulted in the death of a 54-year-old pedestrian is still under investigation by Oregon law enforcement authorities, according to The Oregonian and other local media. Though the police are reported to have issued no citations at the site of the accident, the incident raises the possibility of a Portland wrongful death claim.

According to The Oregonian, “Christopher Berard, of Southwest Portland, was crossing SW Barbur at SW Capitol Highway from east to west around 8:45 p.m. against the “Don’t Walk” signal” last Thursday when he was struck by a car headed south on SW Barbur.

Berard was transported to a nearby hospital following the Portland traffic accident, but subsequently died of his injuries, according to television station KPTV. Though the precise circumstances of the fatal Oregon car accident remain under investigation the driver of the car that struck Berard is cooperating with law enforcement, KPTV reports.

Any Portland fatal car accident is a tragedy. Situations such as this one, however, also raise legal issues that go beyond the question of whether or not the police issue citations. If you or a loved one have been the victim of an Oregon traffic accident in which someone was injured, or even killed, you owe it to yourself and your family to speak with a Portland traffic accident attorney at the first possible opportunity.

The fact that no citations were issued at the scene does not mean that the driver cannot, or should not, be held responsible for his or her actions. An Oregon personal injury attorney with deep experience in Oregon wrongful death and Portland traffic accident cases can advise you and your loved ones of the best course of action as you strive to put your life back together while seeing that justice is done.

KPTV.com: Pedestrian Dies Following SW Portland Wreck

The Oregonian: Pedestrian dies after being struck while crossing SW Barbur

50 SW Pine St 3rd Floor Portland, OR 97204 Telephone: (503) 226-3844 Fax: (503) 943-6670 Email: matthew@mdkaplanlaw.com
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