Oregon Injury Lawyer Blog
In Oregon, a Portland motorcyclist lost his leg in a motor vehicle crash with an alleged drunken driver. The accident occurred on Monday morning when Robert Schlick, a barber, was riding his Harley motorcycle to work.
According to Portland police, a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee was driving erratically on Scholls Ferry Road when he turned a corner and moved into the oncoming lane. Schlick laid his motorcycle on the road to try and avoid being struck by the Jeep, but the impact of the motor vehicle crash left him with a shattered leg. Doctors say that Schlick may be able to use a prosthetic. Police are waiting for toxicology test results to determine whether the driver of the Jeep, 22-year-old Portland resident Paul Conklin, was driving under the influence of alcohol.
This would not be Conklin’s first arrest for drunk driving. In 2007, he pleaded no contest to DUI and underwent alcohol treatment.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are prone to serious injuries any time they are involved in a motor vehicle crash. Motorcycle riders only have their safety gear to protect them from the impact of colliding with a car, a truck, a bus, or a fixed object, such as a wall, a tree, or a concrete barrier.
Serious injuries in a motorcycle crash can include severed limbs, crushed bones, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
2007 NHTSA Motorcycle Accident Statistics
• 103,000 motorcyclists were injured in the United States.
• There were 5,154 motorcycle deaths.
• 47 of the deaths occurred in Oregon.
Medical bills for treating an Oregon motorcyclist’s injuries can be very costly, and you may need multiple surgeries and rehabilitation therapy in order to recover. Taking time off from work to heal could lead to lost wages.
Portland barber loses leg in suspected DUI crash, KGW.com, October 30, 2008
Morning Beaverton Crash Under Investigation, AM 1360, October 28, 2008
Related Web Resources:
Motorcycle Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, NHTSA
Motorcycle Crashes, Insurance Information Institute
To schedule with your free consultation with Portland Motorcycle Accident Attorney Matthew D Kaplan, contact our Oregon personal injury law firm today.
