Salem Oregon Legal Blog

Motor vehicle accidents: Crash kills 1, injures several

On behalf of Law Offices of Keri Trask Lazarus posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

Several individuals were injured and one person was killed in a recent multiple-vehicle collision that took place in Oregon. Chain reaction motor vehicle accidents can be devastating incidents that place the well-being of everyone nearby in harm's way. Those who lose someone close in such a collision may be left in search of answers, or even justice, but the process of pursuing restitution can be complex.

Law enforcement agents advised the incident occurred at around 8 a.m. on a recent Tuesday. For reasons unknown, the driver of an eastbound vehicle crossed into the wrong lane of traffic and struck the side of a nearby truck soon thereafter. Following the initial impact, the vehicle proceeded to strike an oncoming car head-on. A fourth vehicle was unable to stop in time to avoid collision and slammed into the rear of the first vehicle before coming to a halt.

How to protect your company against product liability claims

On behalf of Law Offices of Keri Trask Lazarus on Sunday, December 2, 2018.

For companies that manufacture goods, creating a defective or dangerous product is a major concern. Business.com estimates about 34 million product-related injuries and deaths occur every year in the U.S. With the abundance of injuries, it is no wonder many businesses face product liability lawsuits. The results can be devastating for a company, with settlements costing millions of dollars.

You may be wondering what your company can do to prevent product liability claims. Here are four ways to protect your business.

Motor vehicle accidents: 5 injured, 1 killed in head-on crash

On behalf of Law Offices of Keri Trask Lazarus posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

Operating a motor vehicle at excessive speeds is dangerous and can inhibit one's ability to react to certain driving scenarios substantially. Motor vehicle accidents that take place at high speeds can have catastrophic results, and those who encounter such negligence may find it nearly impossible to react in time to avoid a collision. A recent accident in Oregon left five individuals with injuries and claimed the life of a 25-year-old woman.

Law enforcement agents advised that the accident occurred at around 7 p.m. on a recent Saturday. Initial investigations suggest that the driver of a westbound vehicle suddenly drifted through the median and into oncoming lanes of traffic. This vehicle proceeded to strike an oncoming car head-on soon thereafter.

Distraction remains a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents

On behalf of Law Offices of Keri Trask Lazarus posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

In the brief moment it takes to read or write a text message, a vehicle can travel several hundred feet in an unknown direction. Unfortunately, this is only one of many actions that can take a portion of a driver's attention off the task at hand. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents, and individuals in Oregon who encounter such negligence might find their safety could be placed in harm's way in the process.

While there are a multitude of acts that can divert one's attention off the road, distracted driving is typically broken down into three categories. One category pertains to manual distractions, which consists of any action that forces a driver to take one or both hands off the steering wheel, even if only for a moment. Such actions can include eating, changing the radio station or reaching for an item in the passenger seat.

Motor vehicle accidents: Motorcycle crash severely injures 1

On behalf of Law Offices of Keri Trask Lazarus posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.

Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles and are thus more difficult to spot out on the road, especially at night. Should a driver fail to notice an oncoming motorcycle prior to making a turn, the results can be devastating, as motor vehicle accidents involving motorcycles can cause serious harm to the health of a rider. A 19-year-old man is reportedly in critical condition following a recent collision in Oregon.

The accident reportedly took place on a recent Sunday around 6 p.m. as a vehicle was attempting to make a left turn. Initial investigations suggest that the driver failed to notice an oncoming motorcycle and proceeded to turn directly into the path of the bike. Upon arriving at the scene, emergency responders say they found the man trapped underneath the other vehicle and state that he was unconscious.

Take care to avoid drunk driving this Halloween

On behalf of Law Offices of Keri Trask Lazarus posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.

With only two weeks left until Halloween, many people are finishing their costumes and planning the final details of their parties. Halloween is known as one of the most exciting holidays of the year, and with good reason: It’s a time when people revel in making mischief.

However, Halloween is also known as a time of increased drunk driving. When you are planning your festivities, you should factor this into your plans. Drunk driving can result in severe personal injuries, but you can use a few helpful tips to avoid them.

Motor vehicle accidents: 1 injured, 3 killed in head-on crash

On behalf of Law Offices of Keri Trask Lazarus posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, October 11, 2018.

Being involved in a collision can be a stressful and scary experience. While all motor vehicle accidents have the chances to end in catastrophe, those that occur when a car enters the wrong lane of traffic run a higher risk of leaving all parties involved with serious or fatal injuries. A recent head-on collision in Oregon has reportedly left one person with serious injuries and claimed the lives of three others.

Law enforcement agents responded to reports of the collision on a recent Saturday afternoon. Initial investigations suggest the incident took place when for unknown reasons, the driver of an eastbound car suddenly lost control of his vehicle and veered into the opposite lane of traffic. His car reportedly struck another vehicle head-on soon thereafter.

What benefits does PIP provide me if I am injured in an accident?

On behalf of Law Offices of Keri Trask Lazarus on Friday, September 28, 2018.

You are driving down the road when a distracted driver hits you. Unfortunately, you suffer significant injuries – a serious concussion, broken bones and spinal issues. Although you know that you did not cause your accident, you know that fault does not matter in Oregon car accident cases.

Oregon operates under no-fault car accident laws. When you and another driver are involved in a car accident, the court does not recognize which driver caused the accident, nor does the court place percentages of fault on each of the drivers. Instead, your own personal injury protection insurance will pay for much of your associated costs of your injury. However, should PIP coverage not cover all of your expenses, you may have the opportunity to sue the driver that caused the accident to obtain your required compensation. When dealing with car accidents, personal injury and receiving reimbursement for injuries, it is wise to speak with an attorney, so that he or she can aid you in your fight for your expenses.

How to help your child recover from fear of dogs after a bite

On behalf of Law Offices of Keri Trask Lazarus on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

Most children love animals, and some are particularly enamored with dogs. However, most children do not know how to react when a dog starts acting aggressively. Children are at eye level for most dogs. These factors put children at a greater risk for danger. If a dog bit your child, you know how scary the situation was for both you and your child. Your first concern was tending to your child's injuries, which may have been severe enough to require a trip to the hospital.

After your child starts to heal physically, you may be concerned about the emotional impact of the dog bite. Your child will encounter more dogs throughout his or her life, and you do not want your child to live in fear. There are certain strategies you can use to help your child get over the emotional trauma of a dog bite.