3 Tips For Dealing with Portland's Snow:

Rumors of Snowmageddon are back. People seemed obsessed with the weather apps that are all showing the highly sought after snowflake graphic for Portland on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week. As Oregonians, we know that it is very difficult for meteorologists to predict snow in the Willamette Valley, but things look to be shaping up for snow to fall next week. Below are three tips to help deal with the snow (if it actually snows):

1) Be Informed: News Stations are using the threat of an impending storm to draw people in. That is why there is so much news chatter about Snow. As a result, I don’t pay attention to the snow or news meteorologist (even though some of them are pretty good.) If you want the true most reliable forecast to go to the source, The National Weather Service. Their web-site does a fantastic job, but their twitter feed is EPIC for keeping informed about snow and road conditions. Click Here for the National Weather Service Portland’s Epic Twitter Feed or follow them @NWSPortland. Click here for the National Weather Service Web-Site.

2) Be Prepared:

• Your Vehicle: Ensure the vehicles have a full tank of fuel for Monday and Tuesday’s commute. You do not want to be stuck in one of Portland’s infamous traffic jams without and run out of gas. Ensure you have a blanket and some snacks in your vehicle in case you get snarled in standstill traffic during your commute. Ideally, your vehicle should have tire chains and/or All Wheel Drive or Four Wheel drive. If you use chains you should practice putting them on this weekend. This ensures that you can put them on when you need to.

• Your Home: Ensure you have enough food at home. Remember to have food that can be prepared without electricity, because the power often goes out during a snow storm due to tree limbs falling on power lines. (Click Here for the PGE Outage Map) Be careful with heating your home with kerosene heaters, as they pose a fire risk and remember to ventilate your home. Click here for Kerosene heater safety tips. Also, remember to cover your exterior pipes and water facets so they don’t freeze.

• Your Sidewalk: Ensure you have a snow shovel or rock salt to clear your sidewalk. Remember the Portland City Code REQUIRES YOU to remove ice and snow on your sidewalk. At Ross Law we have represented people that have fallen and injured due to people failing to clear the sidewalk of ice and snow. Removing ice and snow from your sidewalk is the easiest way to avoid the guilt of knowing that your negligence injured someone and the hassle of dealing with insurance companies and their lawyers.

3) Be At Home: Unless you have to leave your home then you should stay home to avoid the commute. Ask your boss if you can work from home. Many employers in the Willamette Valley let employees go early to avoid the commute. If you have kids remember to keep up to date on their school’s closures as they often get released early.

Hopefully, everyone will be safe and avoid the disasters of the past snow events. However, if you find yourself needing a Portland Personal Injury lawyer please call Ross Law PDX at 503.224.1658 for your free personal injury case evaluation. Jeremiah Ross has represented people that were injured in car crashes in the snow and ice, and people that have fallen on slippery sidewalks.

Its Snowing in The Passes! Things You Should Have Before You Travel:

Its Thanksgiving already and the snow is dumping in the Cascades. Remember to be prepared before you leave because you never know what may happen out there. The last thing you want is to be involved in a crash or get stuck on the side of the road only to find out that you do not have an essential item. You should consider bringing all of the items below before you head off through Oregon’s Mountain Passes or drive through Eastern Oregon.

If you or someone you know is involved in an Oregon Motor Vehicle Accident call personal injury lawyer Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658 for your free personal injury case evaluation. Ross Law PDX represents people throughout Oregon, including Malheur County, Umatilla County, Clatsop County, Jackson County, and everywhere in between.

Portland's Snow Is Gone, But Crash Injuries Will Linger...

This week snow blanketed the Portland Metro area down into Eugene and Springfield.  The snowstorm also covered roads from Newport to Astoria.  Many people have become casualties of the storm due to other drivers driving too fast, following too closely, or failing to brake in time.  As a result, there are a lot of people who were in low-speed collisions that are now just starting to suffer the full effects of their injuries.  Below are a few things to remember about these crashes.

See A Medical Provider if You Suspect You Are Injured:  Many low-speed collisions cause what are known as "soft tissue" injuries in the medical field.  Some lay-people and even some medical providers refer to these injuries as "whiplash."  Whiplash is usually a type of soft tissue injury that is synonymous with a neck strain.  These soft tissue injuries occur when the force of the crash tears and stretches muscles and ligaments.  These tears and stretches are commonly referred to as strains and sprains.  

Many times people do not immediately feel the effects of these injuries.  There are various reasons for this because each person is different.  However, after a few days, the pain and discomfort usually set in.  Many people do not see a medical provider because they hope that the pain is going to go away.  In some people it does, but in many people, the pain and symptoms persist.  It is best to get examined as soon as possible.  Medical Doctors, Osteopaths, and Chiropractors can assess you and monitor your injuries. 

You Should Have $15,000.00 of No-Fault Insurance to Pay Medical Expenses:   If you have an automobile insurance policy issued in Oregon then you have $15,000.00 in no-fault insurance benefits.  This no-fault insurance has certain limitations, but it will typically cover up to $15,000.00 of crash-related medical expenses.  However, it only covers treatment for two years from the date of the crash.   These benefits are called personal injury protection benefits, or "PIP."   Read here for more PIP information. If you have insurance questions call Ross Law PDX at 503.224.1658 to speak with personal injury lawyer Jeremiah Ross.  

You Don't Have to Talk to the Bad Driver's Insurance Company:  The bad driver's insurance adjuster is going to be calling to attempt to take recording statements. The insurance lawyer will later attempt to use this statement to justify offering you a low dollar amount.  The day after the crash the adjuster will ask you if you are injured, where you hurt, and if you are going to the doctor.  If you say you are a "little sore" and later need back surgery as a result of the crash, the insurance company will to try and use this statement against you.  The insurance company will try and show that after the crash you had a minor injury that healed.  They claim something else is the cause of your injury that necessitated surgery. Click here to learn more about whether or not you need to speak to an insurance adjuster. Bottom line, if you are unsure if you need to talk to an insurance company call Ross Law PDX at 503.224.1658 for your free case evaluation.

Insurance Companies WIll Make a Low-Ball Offer Right After a Crash: Insurance companies usually attempt to capitalize on these early days after the crash.  If they fear that you may have suffered an injury they will likely try and get you to settle your case as quickly as possible before you realize the full extent of your injuries.  That means that in the next few days insurance adjusters will be hitting the phones, knocking on doors, and emailing injured Oregonians trying to lean on people to take their low-ball offers. 

Lawyers Will Represent People in Smaller Value Cases:  Many people do not call a personal injury lawyer because of two main reasons.  First, injured folks are unsure about how much a lawyer will cost.  This is not a valid concern because the overwhelming majority of personal injury lawyers will give a free case evaluation.  Most personal injury lawyers also work on a contingency fee. 

The other reason people often do not call a personal injury lawyer is that they do not think their case is large enough to warrant representation.   However, Oregon has a small case law that provides economic incentives for attorneys to represent folks in these small cases.  Without these economic incentives, insurance companies would be able to offer little, if anything, because they would be aware that the cost to pursue the case would subsume any award the client would receive.  Click here to read more about Oregon's Small Case Law (ORS 20.080)  

There are too many topics to cover in one blog post.  If you have any questions or are in need of help please call Ross Law at 503.224.1658 for your free case evaluation.  Please remember that this post is for informational purposes only and you should consult with medical professionals and attorneys.  Do not solely rely on this post.  

A dangerous day for driving ,SNOW and the Superbowl:

It is Superbowl Sunday and the National Weather Service is also predicting snow yet again in Portland, Oregon.  As the Oregonian has previously reported, the Superbowl is historically a dangerous day for people to be on the road, because of all of the DUII Drivers.   Portland drivers have shown over the past few weeks that we have issues with driving in the snow.  In short, this is a terrible day to drive.  

If you need information about what to do if you were in a car crash due to snow click here.

If you were involved in a crash with a suspected DUII driver click here.

If you have questions about additional compensation, because you were hit by a DUII driver click here.  You may be entitled to punitive damages, criminal restitution, and increased damages if your case is taken to trial.  and there may be more people responsible for causing the crash than just the bad driver.  For more information click here.

If you want to speak with a lawyer rather than reading call me at 503.224.1658 for your free car crash personal injury case evaluation.  Feel free to call Ross Law and Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658.  

Please remember this post is for informational purposes only and the law is constantly changing.   Please call a lawyer before relying on this post. 

Dealing with an Injury from an Ice Cycle and Falling Snow..

Portland Oregon's recent snow and ice is beginning to thaw.  As it does, snow and ice will begin falling from roofs, gutters, and awnings.  Falling snow and ice can be hazardous to pedestrians walking below.  Many people will not be seriously injured, but some people may be seriously injured.   Ice and snow falling on a person may cause head injuries and lacerations.  Insurance companies will often deny any person who claims to have been injured by falling snow and ice.   

What should you do if you, or someone you know, is injured by falling ice or snow:

1. If seriously injured, immediately seek medical attention and/or call 911;
2. If you are injured, or tending to the injured person, delegate someone to take photos and get information for you;
3. Photograph the scene of the incident and any injuries;
4. Try and get names and phone numbers of witnesses (ask them to send a text to your phone is the easiest way to do it);
5. Try and obtain the address of the property where the ice or snow fell from;
6. Have another person notify the property owner of the incident;
7. Take photos of the ice or snow.  Use a finger or hand next to the ice or snow to provide some scale.
8. Keep track of the medical bills
9. Call an Oregon Personal Injury Attorney like myself at 503.224.1658.  An attorney is useful because they can notify the property owner, investigate the claim, and deal with the insurance company.  I don't charge for a consultation and work on a contingency fee in personal injury cases, so you don't have to pay for representation.

PLEASE CALL AN ATTORNEY AT 503.224.1658 IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS!  I am happy to provide free personal injury consultations.  Please remember: THIS POST IS NOT INTENDED TO BE "LEGAL ADVICE" and may be considered "Attorney Advertising."  The law is constantly changing, so it is best to call a lawyer and not rely on this post to determine if you have a personal injury case. 

In a Car Crash During the Recent Snow Storm? Here is What You Need to Do...

Snowpocalypse has arrived in Oregon.  The Willamette Valley , Coast, and Central Oregon have all been buried in Snow.  Last night when snow began to fall, Oregon's roads predictably became snarled with drivers trying to get home.  Many driver's were unprepared t and either crashed into another car, ran off the road, or simply abandon there vehicles in the road.   The Oregonian reported 101 car crashes in Portland alone.  Area hospitals also reported an increase of persons being admitted for car crash injuries. These visits can become costly if injured people do not take steps to protect themselves.     If you were one of those people that were involved in a crash here are things you should do:

A video taken by SW Portland resident Kathryn King shows a school bus crashing into several other vehicles in her neighborhood during a snow storm on Dec. 14, 2016. (Warning video contains explicit language)

1. At the Scene:   Once the area is safe, USE YOUR CELL PHONE to gather evidence: Take pictures of the car damage, the scene, the bad driver, witnesses, and the bad driver' driver's license, the bad driver's license plate, and the bad driver's insurance card.  Call 911 if there is an injury and relay what the injuries are. Have witnesses text or email you their contact information from their phones. This way you can locate them later if needed.   
2. Seek Medical Care:  Immediately seek treatment if you are injured. Your Oregon issued auto insurance should pay $15,000.00 for up to two years of crash related medical treatment. This does not mean you need to go to the Emergency Room, but you should schedule an appointment with a Doctor or Chiropractor to ensure you have not suffered serious injuries.
3. Contact Insurance and the DMV: Call your insurance company to set up a claim. Cooperate with them, but be cautious of their motives. If there was an injury or more than $1500.00 in property damage submit the proper Accident Report to the DMV ASAP.  Here is a link to the form:  DMV Accident Form.
4. If you were in a hit and run you must make a police report or notify the DMV within 24 hours and notify your insurer within 30 days.  I advise reporting the matter to law enforcement as soon as possible.  This is important as you may not be able to make a claim in the future if you were a victim of a hit and run.
5. Call A Lawyer at 503.224.1658:   It won't cost you anything to chat, and you can learn about what you need to do next. 

Please be safe out there.  The roads are still treacherous and there is more snow and ice on the way.   Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions.  Please remember this blog and web-site may be considered attorney advertisement.