Oregon Injury Lawyer Blog
Earlier this week, one man died, and more than a dozen others were hurt in a four-vehicle crash that took place on Highway 30 in Clatsop County, about 12 miles east of Astoria. This accident, which included a wrong-way driver, multiple vehicles, and numerous injuries, is a powerful reminder of the complexities that can be involved in an auto accident. To get what you should from insurance claims and civil legal action after a multi-vehicle crash, you need an experienced advocate and should act quickly to retain a skilled Oregon auto accident lawyer.
The preliminary investigation indicated that the westbound driver, a 65-year-old man driving a Ford pickup truck, entered the eastbound lane and “sideswiped” an eastbound Ram truck. The Ford continued traveling the wrong way in the eastbound lane and then hit an eastbound van carrying a group of National Guard members who had just completed training. Another eastbound driver could not stop in time and hit the wrong-way truck and the guard members’ van.
The wrong-way driver, who officials believe was not wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene. The National Guard member driving the van suffered serious injuries. More than a dozen other passengers and drivers suffered minor injuries.
Wrong-way accidents can occur for many reasons. They include drivers who fall asleep at the wheel, become distracted, or drive while impaired. Determining why the driver who hit you was going the wrong way is one of the most important things your legal counsel will do during their investigation. A thorough investigation is crucial. For example, if your attorney discovers that the wrong-way driver was driving while drunk, a possibility exists that not only is the driver liable, but so is the business or person who served alcohol to them.
The Severity of Wrong-Way Accidents
Wrong-way accidents are often particularly damaging. The accident frequently involves a head-on collision, at least one (if not both) vehicles moving at a considerable speed, and limited reaction time. Because these collisions often involve significant force, the injuries they inflict are often severe, including broken bones, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and more.
This means that if you are injured in an accident involving a wrong-way driver, you may incur total damages of many thousands of dollars (or more). Given that reality, you need to identify all the sources that may owe you a payout. For example, if your case involves multiple at-fault drivers, you could file claims under each of those drivers’ auto insurance policies. You may also be entitled to pursue a claim with your own auto insurer based on your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
Because many wrong-way crashes involve limited reaction time, these collisions often involve multiple vehicles. Multi-vehicle crashes are another place where having a skilled legal representative is essential. After your legal team completes their investigation, your attorney can accurately assess which drivers were negligent and therefore liable to you. For example, in the recent Clatsop County accident, the wrong-way driver may have been the only negligent driver. In some multi-vehicle collisions, however, a third, fourth, or subsequent driver can become involved because they were speeding, driving while drowsy, driving while distracted, or driving while impaired. In those scenarios, the facts could show that multiple drivers were negligent and therefore liable for your harm.
If you have been seriously injured in an auto accident, getting a full recovery is of paramount importance. The knowledgeable Oregon auto accident lawyers at Kaplan Law LLC are here to help you do exactly that. Whether you are battling a negligent driver in civil court or fighting with insurance companies, you can count on our experienced team to get the job done for you. Call (503) 226-3844 today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
