Eclipse Traffic Hazards and Crashes

The Eclipse has come and gone, but people have begun leaving the "zone of totality."   State officials have warned of significant traffic issues due to the eclipse visitors heading home after the viewing.  Also, numerous people pulled off the side of the road to view the eclipse and will simultaneously get back on the road. These traffic jams can result in many rear end collisions, road rage incidents, and people speeding once the traffic thins so they can make up for lost time.

This is not the safest time to drive because sitting in traffic can also make people drowsy.  A drowsy driver is a dangerous driver.  Also, people are constantly taking their eyes off of the road to examine the eclipse. There is also a concern of Eclipse partiers hitting the road while they are still under the influence.  Obviously, impaired drivers can cause serious crashes.   Visitors that are unfamiliar with the roads can often make erratic lane changes or other unsafe maneuvers.  Also, many visitors are driving rental cars they are unfamiliar with.  This can result in a crash. These incidents can cause unnecessary and preventable injuries or death. Please remember to take your time if you are on the roads today.   Be safe! Remember,  Oregonlive has constant updates.  For more information on the Eclipse Traffic visit:

Headed out to view the solar eclipse? Check the traffic before you go. Live traffic cameras courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation.

If you, or someone you know, find yourself in a crash on one of Oregon's rural roads or major urban freeways, please call Portland Personal Injury Attorney Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658.

Ross Law Has Been Busy Getting Results For Clients....

Over the past couple of weeks, we have been very busy.   Two weeks ago we were in a Jury Trial on a motor vehicle crash case.  My client suffered soft tissue injuries. The insurance company made a low offer.  The Jury sided with my client.  The Jury's verdict was more than the defendant's insurance company's best offer by roughly 1/3.  This was a very good result. 

Later that week we resolved a consumer case involving a newer luxury automobile.  My client had taken his vehicle to an authorized dealership for an inspection because it wasn't running right.  The dealer missed a diagnosis and did not notice the oil needed to be changed.  The engine oil sludged up and the engine seized a couple of days after the vehicle was released from the dealer.  We later learned the vehicle's motor had a design issue and the manufacturer had changed the type of oil to put in the vehicle.    We began the process of arbitration.  Then the major local car dealership and a luxury auto manufacturer asked us to engage in mediation.  The dealer agreed to pay to have our dispute mediated.   Prior to mediation the dealership and manufacturer refused to make any offer.  However, the case settled even though we were prepared to arbitrate the case.  My client received money for the engine replacement plus an amount for costs and attorney fees. 

Last week, I was preparing for a trial at the end of the month for an animal bite case.   This case involved a cat bite.  Yes, that is correct, a domestic cat bit my client's hand.  The bite became infected and my client was hospitalized.  Prior to filing the case and preparing for trial, the insurance company refused to make an offer despite tens of thousands of dollars of medical bills.  However, after I worked the case up we were able to settle the case for a substantial sum of money.   My client was thrilled with the result. 

If you or someone you know have any legal issues, call Ross Law LLC at 503.224.1658.  We are happy to discuss your personal injury case, consumer case, or crime victim case.  Please remember that results may vary. Also please note, this is attorney advertisement material.

Jeremiah Ross Featured in "Superlawyer" Publication

Jeremiah Ross has been featured in the Superlawyers publication as an Oregon Personal Injury Rising Star for 2017.  Superlawyers has a unique selection process in which peers submit candidates to be selected as Rising Stars.  Jeremiah Ross has been selected as a Personal Injury Rising Star for two years in a row. 

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

June 2017 was a Deadly Month for Oregon Drivers. Please be Safe!

The traffic was light as I drove to work this morning, because most people are taking advantage of the 4th of July Holiday.   Thousands of Oregon families are going to return from their long weekend tomorrow or Wed.  Hopefully, these holiday drivers will remember to slow down, pay attention, and stay off of the cell phone.   June was a deadly month for Oregon's drivers, and we can only hope July is much safer.  Please drive safely.

“June 2017:

At least 27 people died on Oregon’s roads.
The ages of the deceased ranged from 9 months old to 92 years old.
The crashes occurred all the way from the Oregon Coast to Baker City, Oregon.
”

— Oregonlive

If you or someone you know, have been injured in a car crash, please contact Jeremiah Ross for your free case evaluation.  Portland Oregon Personal Injury law firm, Ross Law LLC can be reached at 503.224.1658.  This post is for informational purposes only and should not be used for any other purpose

How Do You Figure Out if Your Child's Day-Care or Pre-School is Safe?

Getting your kids in Daycare can be an overwhelming en-devour.  Site visits, phone calls, interviews, and the always popular, "wait lists" are all new experiences for almost every new parent.  During this process every parent is concerned with one thing, Safety.  However, it is not always easy to determine if a place is safe for your kids.  Daycare providers are like other businesses in that they put their best foot forward in an effort to get your child enrolled and the tuition money.   So how do you determine if your kid's daycare or preschool is safe? Here are some tips:

• Is the Daycare or Preschool Licensed by the State?  You should determine if the provider is licensed by the State of Oregon.   If not, that is a big red flag, and the provider maybe breaking the law by operating a unlicensed daycare.  Calling Office of Child Care - Central Office
  503-947-1400, 1-800-556-6616 may help you determine if the daycare or childcare provider is licensed.  In the alternative, you can simply ask the provider to see the license. 
• Does the Daycare or Preschool have prior complaints?    The State of Oregon has an office that is dedicated to licensing and overseeing daycare facilities.  This office keeps a data-base that allows the public to search for violations committed by Oregon preschools, daycare, and licensed child care providers.   The data base is not too user friendly, and doesn't provide details regarding the complaints but it provides the rules or laws that were violated and the date of the violations.   Click here to learn if the State of Oregon has a public record of a complaint against a childcare provider, daycare, or preschool.  Another place to look for prior complaints is the Better Business Bureau.  Click here for a link to the Better Business Bureau. 
• What should you Look For When Visiting a Prospective DayCare or Preschool?  If you are a new parent it is overwhelming trying to figure out all of the potential dangerous surrounding your child.   However, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has authored checklists to assist parents in determining if their child's daycare is safe..  
  • If you are looking to determine if your INFANT's childcare provider is safe Click Here.
  • If you are looking to determine if your TODDLER's childcare provider is safe Click Here.
  • If you are looking to determine if your PRESCHOOLER's childcare provider is safe Click Here.

If your child, or someone you know, has been injured at a daycare or by a childcare provider call Portland Personal Injury Attorney Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658. Call Ross Law for your free case evaluation.  Ross Law takes most personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis.  LEGAL STUFF,  PLEASE READ:  Please note the tips above are not an exhaustive list and you must do your own due intelligence in trying to determine if a daycare provider is a good fit for your child. Also, Ross Law does not have a relationship or affiliation with the agencies or entities noted in this article.  Please contact them directly if you have any questions or concerns about their web-site(s) or, policies, or procedures. 

Using Your Cell Phone While Driving Is Dangerous, But It May Also Cost You A Lot of Money

It has been a few years since Oregon lawmakers have outlawed using a cellular phone device while driving.   However, people continue to use their phones while driving.  Deaths and injuries that are caused by texting and driving are on the rise.  In fact, every three hours a crash in Oregon is caused by distracted driving.  It appears the existing small fines that may be imposed are not have the desired effect, and some lawmakers are attempting to crack down on distracted driving.

There is currently a bill in Salem that would allow a judge to impose up to a $2,000.00 fine on a person caught holding their mobile electronic device while on the roads.  The current law has minimal fines and is difficult to enforce due to its poorly drafted language.   The new bill just passed the Oregon House.  Hopefully the law will pass and deter others from using their mobile devices while driving.  However, if it doesn't there will always be personal injury attorneys like myself who are willing to hold a distracted driver that injures another accountable in Court. 

If you or someone you know was injured by a distracted driver or a person using their cell phone, call Ross Law LLC at 503.224.1658.  Jeremiah Ross is happy to provide a free personal injury case evaluation.  Please note this article is meant for information purposes only and could be considered ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  Please consult with a lawyer if you have questions about your personal injury case or any other legal question 

Air Assault-When Airline Passengers Are Assaulted

The Airline Industry is taking its lumps this month.   First, there was the United Airlines incident where a man was forcibly removed from an airplane because he did not give up his seat for Airline Employees.  This weekend another story broke.  This time an American Airline employee wrestled a stroller away from a mother of young twins.  In doing so, the stroller struck the woman in the face.  This arguably constitutes assault. I say arguably because we don't have the full story, and have to rely on media reports.

However, rather than doing the right thing and immediately apologizing and attempting to make it right.  The Airline Employees chose to escalate the situation and one employee attempted to engage a male passenger who was attempting to stand up for the young mother in a fight.   The Airline Employees could not have done a poorer job if they tried.   

This is another case of Airlines losing control over a situation, and highlights their poor training and lack of compassion for passengers.  I had previously written on steps you should take if you are injured on an airline.  Click here to find out more.  If you or someone you know were injured on an airplane call 503.224.1658 for more information.  Jeremiah Ross is happy to provide you a free case evaluation.   Please remember this post could be considered attorney advertising and is not meant to be construed as legal advice. PLEASE Call a Lawyer and do not rely on this post.