What you need to know if you are injured by a reckless driver

Driving in the Portland metro area has become crazy since 2020. Speeding, tailgating, running red lights, and rapid lane changes are a reality on virtually every trip through the Portland metro area. Brazen street racing is all too common.

Prior to 2020, you could call 911 when you saw a reckless driver, and the Portland Police would likely respond. Now, the Portland Police are trying to combat the rampant violent crime in Portland. Even though a person commits reckless driving in Oregon if they recklessly drive in a manner that “endangers the safety of persons or property,” Portland Police will rarely respond to a non-violent crime such as reckless driving.

Even if a person gets cited or arrested for reckless driving it is unlikely that person will receive any jail time or substantial consequences. This is due to the Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt’s various policies regarding prosecution and jail time for “non violent” offenders.

This has created a perfect storm that has resulted in record numbers of traffic deaths and an enormous increase in the number of people injured in traffic crashes in the Portland Metro Area. So what can we do to hold these dangerous drivers that injure others accountable?

Civil lawyers can seek “punitive damages” on behalf of their clients who have been injured by a reckless driver or speed racer. These are damages that are awarded to punish reckless and dangerous drivers. These punitive damages can be substantial depending on whether or not a lawyer can convince a jury by clear and convincing evidence that the bad driver has shown a reckless and outrageous indifference to a highly unreasonable risk of harm and has acted with a conscious indifference to the health, safety, and welfare of others. ORS 31.730

For instance, a person with temporary minimal soft tissue injuries with medical bills less than $10,000.00  will most likely find it difficult to receive a substantial award or insurance settlement.  However, if the at-fault driver was reckless in causing the injuries then the injured party may receive more money.  The additional amount will vary depending on the injuries, the reckless conduct, and the “record as a whole.” ORS 31.730   

There are many nuances with punitive damages that should be specifically addressed by an Oregon Attorney.  Sometimes the effort to obtain punitive damages and what it allows the defendant to do may be detrimental to the injured parties case. It should also be noted that the State of Oregon will receive a large portion of a punitive damage award.  Despite these challenges, it is often the only means to truly hold a reckless driver accountable when the criminal justice system fails to obtain justice for the injured victim.

If you have been injured by a reckless driver in Oregon feel free to call Oregon personal injury attorney Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658 for your free personal injury consultation.  

Ross Law LLC is always happy to discuss car crash cases with injured persons.  Please remember this post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Punitive damages can be a very complicated area of law and the law is constantly changing, so it is best to speak with an Oregon Lawyer about your case. Please also remember the post on the Ross Law LLC blog can be considered “Attorney Advertising” in some jurisdictions, and this post does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Jeremiah Ross Honored by Law School

California Western School of Law recognized Oregon Personal Injury Lawyer Jeremiah Ross for being selected as an Oregon Super Lawyer in the Personal Injury Category.

“Jeremiah, you are an inspiration to all of us and a major force for good in the legal profession.”

— Sean M. Scott, President and Dean of California Western School of Law

If you or someone you know is in need of an Oregon Personal Injury Lawyer call Ross Law at 503.224.1658 for your free personal injury consultation. Please note blog posts may be considered Attorney Advertising.

How to Report Consumer Fraud and Scams

At Ross Law, we often get calls from consumers who were ripped off, but they may not have the best civil case for a lawyer to take on. Things like phone scams, robocalls, internet scams, and scams involving people overseas are often difficult for a non-government consumer lawyer to handle. However, that does not mean they should not be reported. Additionally, even scams like auto dealer fraud, debt collection scams, door-to-door sales scams, and unlawful trade practices should be reported even if a civil lawyer is able to assist. However, you should speak with a lawyer before reporting them.

Then the issue is how do you report these consumer scams? Here is a brief list of people and organizations that may be able to assist with your consumer Fraud:

1. Call Ross Law at 503.224.1658: We are happy to assist with referrals or discuss whether or not we would be a good fit to assist consumers who have been ripped off or defrauded by businesses. However, keep in mind we are not a government entity and we are limited by Civil remedies that we pursue on our client’s behalf. For more information about the difference between civil and criminal remedies click here.

2. Report to the Oregon Department of Justice: The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) has a couple of different ways to report complaints. You can call the consumer hotline at 18778779392 or you can file a complaint online. You are also able to search for past complaints against a business that operated in Oregon. Click here for more info.

3. Report to the CFPB & FTC: The Federal Government has the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) which is part of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The CFPB has a new website to report scams, fraud, and bad business practices. It is a user-friendly website that asks you to tell the CFPB about the scam. The FTC asserts it will use that information to investigate the scammers and hopefully bring them to justice. Click here for more information on how to make a report of fraud, scams, or unfair business practices.

4. Report to the Better Business Bureau: The Better Business Bureau is a private entity that focuses on consumer complaints and reviews. They are not a government entity so they have no power to enforce the law. The BBB also charges businesses to advertise with them. To search for a business or make a complaint click here.

5. Report to Local Law Enforcement: Some local law enforcement agencies have investigators to investigate fraud and scams.

The above list is not exhaustive. There are many other places you can report scams, fraud, and unlawful business practices, but please keep these in mind. Please remember that this blog post may be considered Attorney advertising. If you have any questions about auto dealer fraud the Oregon Lemon Law, personal injury cases, auto crash injuries, bicycle crashes, and other injury or death cases please call Portland Oregon Personal Injury and Consumer Fraud lawyer Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658.

Jeremiah Ross Elected to Board of Oregon Trial Lawyers Association!

In 2019 Jeremiah Ross was honored to be elected to the board of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association. Ross Law is excited to continue to work to help Oregonians hold corporate wrongdoers, insurance companies, and others accountable for acts that harm or injure Oregonians.

2019 Was An Incredible Year for Ross Law's Clients!

2019 was an amazing year for Ross Law and our Clients! Ross Law worked tirelessly to assist Oregonians to obtain maximum compensation for their Personal Injury cases, wrongful death cases, crime victim cases, insurance disputes, and consumer cases.

Below is a rundown on some of the results from 2019:

• $2,225,000.00 Jury Trial Verdict where Jeremiah Ross co-counseled a two-week medical malpractice & Patient Safety case with another attorney against one of Oregon’s top medical malpractice defense law firms. Click HERE for more information on that case.

• Significant Settlement in Case Against DHS and others in a case where our young client was abused and neglected while she was in the legal custody of the Department of Human Services. Click HERE for more information on the lawsuit against Oregon’s DHS & CPS.

• Confidential Settlement in Wrongful Death Case against a mental health provider whose negligence resulted in a schizophrenic’s suicide;

• Confidential Settlement received in a civil domestic violence case against an abuser. Ross Law represented a young survivor of domestic violence and filed a lawsuit against the abuser after he was convicted of his crimes in criminal court. As a crime victim’s lawyer, Ross Law fought tirelessly to cut through very complex legal issues to ensure the victim received compensation to regain the power and control of her life.

• $100,000.00 settlement for Ross Law’s client who was backed over by a vehicle while she was urinating behind the vehicle due to her intoxication. The bad driver’s insurance company denied any liability until Jeremiah Ross litigated the matter.

• Insurance Benefits obtained for a client who the insurer denied personal injury protection benefits to a cyclist who was thrown into a car at a stop sign. The stopped vehicle’s insurer denied benefits based on its interpretation of the law that the cyclist had to be “struck by” the vehicle. The judge ordered the Insurance Company to pay the cyclist $15,000.00 in denied insurance benefits and the cyclist’s costs and attorney fees. Click HERE for more information on that case.

• Insurance Benefits obtained for a client who was wrongfully denied Personal Injury Protection benefits from USAA and Auto Injury Solutions. The judge ordered USAA to pay the outstanding benefits and our client’s costs and attorney fees. Click HERE for more information on that case.

• Numerous favorable Settlements in Lemon Law and Auto Dealership Fraud Cases. These settlements included cash that was paid directly to our clients by the dealership, buy-backs of vehicles, unwinding car deals, and the dealership or auto manufacturers paid Ross Law’s consumer client’s costs and attorney fees.

There were many other amazing results for or clients! Please remember that results for all clients will vary. Each case is different. Some cases are better than others. If you, or someone you know, needs a personal injury lawyer, wrongful death lawyer, crime victim’s lawyer, or consumer lawyer please call Ross Law at 503.224.1658.

Jeremiah Ross Selected as a SuperLawyer! Again....

2019 was an incredible year for Ross Law and Jeremiah Ross! Ross Law fought tirelessly for our clients in personal injury cases, insurance disputes, wrongful death cases, medical malpractice cases, lemon law cases, auto dealership fraud cases, and crime victim cases. Ross law achieved incredible results for our clients.

Peers selected Jeremiah Ross as a 2020 SuperLawyer for personal injury general plaintiff’s practice. This is the fifth year Jeremiah Ross has been recognized by SuperLawyers.

• 2020 Oregon Super Lawyers

• 2019 Oregon Super Lawyers

• 2018 Oregon Super Lawyers

• 2017 Oregon Rising Stars

• 2016 Oregon Rising Stars

We look forward to continuing with the amazing success Ross Law has had and are thankful to be rated as a SuperLawyer!

Please remember the results may vary for each client. Each case is different. If you or someone you know needs to speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer, Wrongful Death Lawyer, Crime Victim Lawyer, or Consumer Lawyer, please call 503.224.1658 to speak with Ross Law. This post may be considered Attorney Advertising.