Oregon Injury Lawyer Blog
As the number of pedestrians killed on Portland’s streets continues to mount, we’re reminded that fatal pedestrian accidents can occur for many reasons. Sometimes a pedestrian makes an unwise and unsafe decision to cross a street. A lot of times, though, these tragedies are the result of negligence on the part of others. If you’ve lost a loved one because of unsafe road conditions or a vehicle driver’s unsafe driving, then your family needs the aid of a Portland pedestrian accident lawyer who can help to hold those responsible accountable for their actions (or inaction) and get you the recovery you need.
In just a two-day span last week, Southeast Portland saw a pair of fatal accidents involving pedestrians. The more recent one occurred around 10:15 pm on January 24 when a 2007 Mitsubishi SUV collided with a 59-year-old man. The accident took place on Southeast Powell Boulevard at Foster Road.
Powell Boulevard is notoriously dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists, with multiple fatal accidents occurring along the road, as this blog has covered on numerous occasions.
The day before, in the wee hours of January 23, a 64-year-old woman died in a collision with a 2011 Toyota sedan. The crash occurred near the intersection of Southeast Holgate Boulevard and Southeast 92nd Avenue in the Lents neighborhood.
Earlier this month, a 68-year-old woman died after a collision with a Chevrolet SUV at Southeast Division Street and 168th Avenue, according to OregonLive.
This sad start to 2023 represents a continuation of a disconcerting trend. In 2021, the city witnessed 27 pedestrian deaths, the highest in five decades. In 2022, things only got worse. Willamette Week reported that, as of December 19th, Portland had logged 31 pedestrian deaths in 2022, the highest total in 70 years.
How the Right Legal Team Makes a Difference
A skilled legal advocate can help in many ways if your family has lost a loved one to a fatal pedestrian accident. Your knowledgeable legal team will begin by investigating the crash. If the evidence points toward the vehicle driver’s negligence (for example, speeding, driving drunk, or driving while distracted,) then you may have the option of obtaining a recovery from the driver’s auto insurer. If that driver is uninsured or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the totality of the harm, you may also have the option of filing a claim with your loved one’s auto insurer based on their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Whether you’re dealing with a driver’s insurer or your loved one’s insurer, the process is often arduous. Many insurers go to great lengths to avoid paying a claim. To that end, having a legal advocate who is experienced in fighting back against insurance companies is of paramount importance.
Additionally, your circumstance may dictate filing a civil lawsuit. That case may go after the vehicle driver for their failure to satisfy their duty of care, or it may pursue a governmental entity for designing, constructing, or maintaining the road in an unreasonably dangerous way. Be aware that claims against governmental entities may be more limited than those against private entities, and are often particularly complicated and challenging.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, the knowledgeable Oregon wrongful death attorneys at Kaplan Law LLC are here to fight for you. We have dedicated two decades to helping people harmed by catastrophic injuries — and families hurt by fatal accidents — to get justice. Call us today at (503) 226-3844 or contact us online to set up your free consultation.
