Driverless Cars are Coming to Portland! Are We Prepared?

The Mayor has spoken.  He wants to see driver-less cars on Portland's streets and highways.   However, I think this is a little premature.  This is because, "It is all fun and games until someone gets hurt."  

Liability issues with these driver-less cars has yet to be adequately addressed here in Oregon.  Eventually one of these vehicles will get involved in a serious crash on an Oregon road.  If a person is injured in the crash unique liability issues are going to spring up.  Who is responsible for the crash in the crash asserts it was the driver-less' cars fault?  What happens if the vehicle suffers a mechanical failure or a software failure that causes the crash?  If that issue arises usually the injured person has no choice but to file a lawsuit, because none of the corporations that have been involved in these crashes will accept responsibility.

My biggest concern,  is the owner and manufacturer of any driver-less car involved in a crash will do anything and everything to deny any liability for causing the crash.  This is due to the fact that the public will lose any trust with the driver-less car industry if the driver-less car causes a crash or injury.  We are already sceptacle of these machines, as every machine will eventually break or malfunction. However, billion dollar industries rest on the success of these machines.  As a result, if there is any way corporations can protect this emerging industry they will do so.  This will mean they will likely fight tooth and nail and force people to file lawsuits that claim it was the driver-less vehicle's fault.  Hopefully, the CIty of Portland and the Oregon Legislature can draft laws to protect other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclist from an incident with a driver-less vehicle.

If you or someone you know are injured by a driver-less vehicle or autonomous vehicle, call Ross Law LLC at 503.224.1658.  

Flying the Un-Friendly Skies...Injuries on Commercial Flights

Let's face it, flying is not what it used to be.   Airlines are making record profits, but flying conditions seem to be getting worse.   The recent events on a United Flight highlight the fact that most Airlines put their Corporate priorities above the passengers comfort and safety. That incident was an anomaly, but every year countless passengers are injured aboard commercial airplanes.  Many injuries are minor, but some can be major.  Below is a list of the most common types of injuries:.   

Baggage Incidents: Many passenger injuries are caused by baggage.  Passengers often whack each other with bags as they are attempting to lift them and load them into the overhead bins.  Baggage also may fall out if the bin is not latched properly, malfunctions, or when people open the overhead bins after the flight.  These heavy bags can land on a person's head and cause severe neck and head injuries.  They may also cause bruising and swelling or torn muscles and ligaments on other areas of the body.

Turbulence or Rough Landings:   People can be injured by getting jostled around on planes as they are flying through unstable air or during a rough  landing.   This unstable air is called turbulence.   Neck and back injuries can result depending on the intensity and duration of the turbulence or rough landing.  The USA Today recently wrote an article articulating the various ways turbulence may injure passengers.  For example turbulence may cause the plane to shake so violently that overhead bins may open causing baggage to fall out, drinks may spill, and equipment may fall on passengers.  

Hot Liquid Spills: Hot Coffee and Hot Tea pose a danger to passengers.  A spill of hot coffee or tea on a person can cause serious burns, scarring, pain, and discomfort.  Many of these spills happen while the cup of hot liquid is being transferred from the flight attendant to the passenger. 

Assaults:  Assaults are becoming more common on commercial flights. "Air Rage" is becoming more common as more and more passengers are crammed into smaller and smaller spaces.   In 2015 there were almost 11,000 incidents of air rage. These assaults can range from pushing people to a passenger brutally attacking another passenger.  

Sexual Assaults: Sexual Assaults on Commercial flights are not something we usually think about.  However, they do occur. A recent article noted it is hard to determine the number of assaults because typically 75% of sexual assaults go unreported. Usually they involve a drunk individual that gropes and touches another without their permission.  Sometimes these sexual assaults involve incidents of adult passengers groping a minor.   

Is The Airline Responsible for Your Injuries?  If you were injured on a commercial flight the airline may be responsible for your injuries.  This obviously depends on the facts. However, people on international commercial flights enjoy certain protections provided by treaties and Federal Law.   This may entitle a person injured on a plane to compensation even if the airline did little or anything to cause the injury.  These types of incidents usually require a lawyer to get involved, because Airlines often do not take these claims seriously.

What to Do if You Are Injured on a Commercial Air Flight?

1. Obviously if you are injured you need to seek medical treatment first and foremost.
2. Ensure you keep all documents from the flights.   Try and keep your boarding pass, even though most of them are available on-line even after the flight has concluded.  
3. Do your best to get the passengers full names, addresses, and phone numbers that are in the seats surrounding yours.  Finding witnesses can be difficult if you don't have the witnesses contact information.  
4. Take Photos:  If possible take photos of the area where the injury occurred.  A video is even better. 
5. Alert a Flight Attendant and Ask to Make an Incident report:  Alert a flight attendant to the injury and tell them to talk to a witness to find out what happened.  Get the flight attendant's name.
6. If a crime has been committed contact law enforcement once you are able to do so.  Ensure the Flight Attendant contacts law enforcement.
7. Call a lawyer at 503.224.1658 if you have further questions.

If you or someone you know has been injured on an airplane call Ross Law LLC.  Jeremiah Ross is happy to provide you a free case evaluation.  Call 503.224.1658 for your free case evaluation. Please remember the law is always changing.  Do not rely on this post and rely on the law and advice from a lawyer.   This blog can be considered attorney advertising and is for advertising purposes only. 

Another Self Driving Vehicle Crash-Uber Pulls Autonomous Vehicles off of Road

Uber has been pushing for self driving vehicles and is using them in select cities.  These vehicles are manned by a driver that is to take over in dangerous situations.  However, the cars are primarily driven by a computer.  As suspected, there are some issues that arise when the computers don't function as designed, or the vehicle can't account for a dangerous situation. When these failures occur the results can be catastrophic leading to injury and even death.  (Click here to read about self driving car failure resulting in death.)  Uber recently pulled its vehicles off of the road after a self driving Uber car was involved in a crash.  (click here to read about recent autonomous vehicle Uber crash.)

Self Driving cars and ride-share programs somewhat compound an already uncertain area of the law and there are other safety risks that are going to arise should Uber continue to test vehicles on the road without proper research and development in house.  Maintenance issues, malfunctions, and small issues are destined to arise.  I have heard complaints from ride share operators regarding occasional glitches with the app, so it is difficult to imagine the self driving vehicle won't have any glitches. If a self driving vehicle fails to operate during a ride and leaves a customer stranded that is later a victim of an assault or robbery, will Uber be liable?  These are all issues that may arise.  

The autonomous vehicle issues are new to Oregon and Oregon politicians and agencies are struggling to keep up with technology.  Until they are able to adequately regulate this industry it will be up to attorneys looking out for injured people to raise these issues for their injured clients and hopefully provide an economic incentive for the autonomous vehicle industry to be abundantly cautious when rolling out these vehicles.  If you have more questions feel free to read my previous blog articles:  Who is Responsible for Crash with Self Driving Car?; Licensing Autonomous Vehicles in Oregon?;  What to do passenger In Crash with Uber or Lyft?  

If you were an Uber or Lyft passenger involved in a crash, please call Ross Law at 503.224.1658.  Jeremiah Ross is happy to discuss your personal injury case with you. If you are involved in a crash with a self-driving vehicle or autonomous vehicle feel free to call Jeremiah Ross.  Legal Stuff:  Please note this article is based on the author's opinion.   Ross Law does not have any affiliations with any ride share program or taxi-cab company.  This information is not to be considered legal advice and is for information only.

What to do if injured in a Uber or Lyft Crash....

Uber and Lyft have become incredibly popular in Portland and other Oregon cities.  These convenient ride shares allow customers to quickly hitch a ride virtually any time and anywhere within the Portland Metro region.   The drivers are regular folks who are often driving as a second job.  However, this can create problems.   Uber and Lyft are regularly in the news for the various issues that arise when their drivers don't behave or make mistakes.  People have reported incidents of Assaults, Sexual Assaults, and verbal abuse from ride share drivers.   However, the most common incident with Uber or Lyft is when the driver gets in a Car Crash with a passenger in the back seat.  (Click here for recent story of Uber Driver Crashing Into Gas Pump)

If you are in a passenger in a Ride Share program and are injured in a car crash you are going to face some unique issues.  One of the major issues that you will face is whose insurance is going to pay for your medical bills and compensate you for your injuries.   Many insurance policies exclude coverage for drivers that are working for Uber or Lyft.  That means if the Rideshare driver was at fault for the crash, then their bodily injury insurance may not provide coverage to pay you for your medical bills or damages.  Uber and Lyft have their own insurance policies, but they are not usually willing to pay without being forced to.   That is why you will usually need a lawyer if you are injured while a passenger in a ride-share program.

If you are injured in a crash with an Uber or Lyft driver here are some tips for you:

1. Ensure you preserve the driver's information.   You need the driver's name and the license plate of the vehicle.   You can take photos of the driver's license and the license plate.  However, it is important to try and document the Uber or Lyft Ride. The best way to do this is Screenshot the Lyft or Uber app right after the crash.  This is not always possible due to the severity of the injury, but that is the best way to ensure you have the driver's information.  If you were unable to screenshot the App immediately after the crash, both apps have a ride history section where you can bring up the driver's information and the ride route. (click here for instructions for UBER) (Click here for instructions for Lyft)  Once you find the ride then screenshot the page to ensure you preserve it. 
2. Get the UBER or LYFT Driver's Insurance Information:  Get their Auto Policy information and all of the Uber or Lyft Insurance information.  If the driver drives for both Uber and Lyft then try and get insurance information from the driver for both companies.
3. Other things to do 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.   
4. Seek Medical Care:  Immediately seek treatment if you are injured. Oregon auto insurance policies should pay $15,000.00 for up to two years of crash related medical treatment.  The Uber or Lyft Driver's insurance may pay as well.  This is why it is important to contact a lawyer first, as these issues need to be addressed early in the case.  
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. I will give you a free case evaluation. 
6. If you choose not to call a lawyer, you should contact your auto insurance if you have it: Call your insurance company to set up a claim. Cooperate with them, but be cautious of their motives.
7. Be Cautious of Discussing things with The Other Driver's Insurance and Lyft or Uber.  

If you have any questions please call Ross Law LLC at 503.224.1658 for your free case evaluation.   Legal Stuff: Please remember this post is for informational purposes only and you will likely need to do more than what is listed above to pursue an injury claim on your own behalf.  Also, the law is constantly changing, so please consult with a lawyer rather than relying on this post. 

Reimbursement for Transportation to Crash Related Medical Appointments?

Here in Oregon we are fortunate to have Personal Injury Protection Benefits, or "PIP" benefits.  PIP benefits are no fault auto insurance benefits that allow people that are in car crashes to receive up to $15,000.00 to cover crash related medical expenses.  (Click here for a more detailed explanation of all PIP benefits and limitations).   Although the law mandates Oregon Auto Insurers to provide PIP benefits, it is not always clear exactly what are crash related medical expenses.  More specifically, does an Oregon Auto Insurance policy provide benefits to reimburse a person to travel to medical appointments?  Oregon's Supreme Court recently said no.  PIP benefits do not include transpiration costs to receive medical benefits.  

This is a blow to injured people in Oregon that rely on these benefits, and especially rural Oregonians.   This is due to the fact that folks living in urban areas have easy access to medical care.  However, people living on the Oregon Coat, in Southern Oregon, Central Oregon and Eastern Oregon may have to travel hours to see a medical specialist and even stay in a hotel.   Unfortunately, Oregon's Court did not find that argument compelling.

The Oregon Supreme Court  addressed the issue of whether or not medical transportation is reimbursable under Oregon's PIP law, ORS 742.520 (1).  In Dowell v. Oregon Mutual Ins. Co. 361 Or 62 (2017),  the court analyzed the 2007 PIP statute which notes Oregon Auto Insurance Policies must have a provision that that covers:

"All reasonable and necessary expenses of medical, hospital, dental, surgical, ambulance and prosthetic services incurred within one year after the date of the person’s injury, but not more than $15,000 in the aggregate for all such expenses of the person.” ORS 742.524(1)(a)

It is important to note, the law has since changed to allow services for two years after the date of the person's injury.   However, that did not effect the court's analysis in this case.   The court determined ORS 742.524 did not intend expenses for ordinary transportation to receive medical treatment or to obtain medication .  Again this is not good news for injured Oregonians and we can only hope for a legislative fix.   

All hope is not lost though.  You may still be able to recover transportation costs to medical care from the at-fault driver.  If you or someone you know has questions about your PIP benefits please call Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658. Ross Law LLC is happy to give you a free telephonic case evaluation.    

Also, remember the law is always changing.   Please rely on the text of the Court's decision and not solely on this post. Also, remember to rely on the current statute as the legislature is constantly changing the laws.   Lastly, this post is not intended to be legal advice and is for informational purposes only.   This could also be considered legal advertising.   

Superlawyers Recognizes Jeremiah Ross as a Personal Injury Rising Star Again!

Superlawyers selected Jeremiah Ross as a personal injury rising start for 2017.  This is the second year in a row Jeremiah Ross has been selected by Superlawyers as a Rising Star in Personal Injury cases.   According to Superlawyers the Rising Star selection is an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. Only 2.5% of attorneys in Oregon receive this distinction.  

Jeremiah V. Ross

Selected in 2017 Thomson Reuters

According to Superlawyers, "Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. Since Super Lawyers is intended to be used as an aid in selecting a lawyer, we limit the lawyer ratings to those who can be hired and retained by the public, i.e., lawyers in private practice and Legal Aid attorneys."

If you would like to have a free personal injury case evaluation by Jeremiah Ross call Ross Law at 503.224.1658

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. 

What is Your Car Crash Case Worth?

One of the most common questions I receive in a personal injury intake is, "How much is my case worth?"  That is not an easy question to answer and people should be leery of lawyers that automatically spit out a number without reviewing medical records, bills, and other information.  That is because there are various variables that we examine to assign a value to a personal injury car crash case.   More importantly that is the value we assign the case.  The insurance company also assigns a value to the case.  That number is usually lower than the injured person's lawyer's number.  At the end of the day only a Jury truly knows how much a particular case is worth, but most cases settle prior to trial.  

With that said, I have listed a few of  variables that lawyers use to put a value on the case below.   The list is not exhaustive, and it is in no particular order.  However, it should provide you with a general understanding of how a personal injury lawyer and an insurance company assign a value to a car crash personal injury case.  

 1) The Type of Car Crash injuries:  Broken bones are typically worth more than soft tissue (whiplash) injuries.  However that is not always the case.  For example, a herniated disc injury will likely be worth more than a fractured pinkie toe.  Injuries that cause scars or disfigurement are typically worth more than an internal injury.     

2)The permanency of the injury:  The longer the person suffers crash related physical impairments that effect their life, the more their case is worth.  Insurance companies know this and that is why they will often offer a paltry amount of money very early to settle the case.   If you settle the case before you know if the injury is permanent you will likely be leaving money on the table. People wonder how do you know if your injury is permanent?  Medical providers will typically tell a person and provide that evidence in a medical chart note.

Typically, the more time a person suffers from an injury, the more their case is worth.

3) The Medical Treatment Sought:  Personal injury cases rely heavily on medical evidence.   Medical providers provide the necessary diagnosis, treatment, and documentation to prove to a jury (and the bad driver's insurance adjuster) that you are injured and the types of injury you sustained.  Clients who seek medical treatment and follow their treatment providers' directives will often increase the value of the case.  However, it should be noted just because you see a doctor, doesn't mean you will increase the value of the case.  A chart note can also lower the value of the case if you claim an injury and the medical evidence does not support your injury claim.   Moreover, a hundred trips to an acupuncturist may not increase the value of your case if you never saw a medical doctor.

4) Medical bills incurred:   The urban legend that a case is worth three times the medical bills is just wrong.  Some cases end up that way, but many don't.  For example a person that quickly heals 100% after having a costly surgery may not recover as much as a person that doesn't have surgery for the same injury but suffers from well documented permanent injuries.  Additionally, some serious injuries don't have a lot of medical bills.  An amputated thumb may not have many medical bills. However, that is a potentially debilitating injury that will likely effect virtually everything the person does for the rest of their life.  The medical bills in that case are not an important variable, but they are still a variable.

5) Crash Damage:  Typically the more crash damage there is, the more a person's case is worth.  Minor impact cases with little visible vehicle damage can result in severe soft tissue (whiplash) type injuries, but typically jurors need to be convinced of that. On the other hand, jurors will usually infer from the beginning that a person had to have been injured in a high speed crash that totals the vehicles involved.    

6) The Client:   An honest client's case is worth more than a person who exaggerates their pain and injuries.  A tough client's case is usually worth more than a whiner's case.  An organized client that attends medical appointments and follows their medical providers's directives' case is usually worth more than the know it all client that tells everyone they are injured but doesn't seek treatment or follow up with medical providers.  Clients and the way they present themselves can dramatically increase or decrease the value of their case.   

7) The Bad Driving Defendant:  In almost all of my personal injury cases the defendant is insured.  The defendant's insurance company is the entity that will decide if they will make a fair offer or force us to seek an award from a Jury.   However, in Oregon jurors are not informed that it is the billion dollar insurance company that is refusing to make a fair settlement offer.  The Juror sees the little old lady that ran the red light that is the named defendant and may feel sympathy for her.  They may not want to award you any money to compensate you for your injury, because that may put the elderly lady on the street.   On the other hand a corporate defendant that has a bad safety record will likely increase the value of the injured person's case because jurors have little sympathy for a large corporation and they know the corporation has money to pay the judgment.

8) Comparative Fault and Other Defenses:  The value of the case can be reduced if the defendant has a good defense.  If the defense can show you caused the crash then your case value may go down or your case may not have any value at all.   If the defense can interject uncertainty and other legal issues to the case then that will bring down the value of your case.

9) Pre-Existing Conditions:  Pre-existing conditions are the most litigated issues in personal injury cases.  As we age our bodies deteriorate.  Insurance company defense lawyers capitalize on this medical fact and attempt to assert that the crash didn't injure you, and the pain is caused by a pre-existing medical condition.  If a person has sought treatment prior to the crash for a medical condition that they are claiming was caused by the crash that can reduce the value of the case. 

10)  Lawyers Involved:  Many people settle their cases with the insurance company without a lawyer.  This is largely because they don't want to get a lawyer involved or they don't want to have a lawyer take a percentage of any money they are awarded.   However, this is typically a big mistake.  Most of the time people that resolve their own cases are leaving money on the table.  Lawyers know how to get insurance companies to increase the value of the case and if not, then we take the case to trial or arbitration.  Insurance companies know that, so they usually will increase the value of the case if a lawyer is involved.   If you think your case is too small for a lawyer to handle, you should read this blog article.  

The list above is not exhaustive, and if you have any questions call me for your free personal injury case evaluation.  Call Ross Law at 503.224.1658 and ask for Jeremiah Ross.  Please remember that there are numerous variables that go into the case and do not rely solely on the list above.