Alcohol May Have Caused Oregon Highway 101 Injury Accident

A two-vehicle accident in Oregon on Highway 101 that left three people severely injured may have been caused by drunk driving. OregonLive.com reports that authorities have not released how alcohol may have contributed to the Oregon car crash.

The accident occurred around 5 p.m. on February 26 when a 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass driven by Steven Lee Gould, 55, of Otis, crossed the centerline and crashed into a 2005 Ford F-150 pickup, driven by Daniel A. Franklin, 55, also of Otis. The Oldsmobile was torn in half and Gould was ejected from the vehicle. He was taken to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland due to the seriousness of his injuries. His vehicle did not have airbags and it is unknown at this time if he was wearing his seat belt.

Franklin and his passenger, Stephanie Kay Franklin, 55, of Otis, were both badly injured. They reportedly had their seat belts on and the vehicle’s airbags deployed in the accident.

Auto accident injuries often lead to steep medical bills because of hospital stays, treatment, surgery, and physical therapy. But should a car accident victim have to pay for these expenses if another driver caused the crash? Of course not. However, dealing with insurance companies and other people involved in an accident can be an uphill battle. A Portland injury attorney can help protect your rights if you suffer from injuries caused by a drunk or distracted driver.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that 33,808 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents throughout the United States in 2009. Of those deaths, 10,839 were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. In Oregon during the same year, 377 people died in auto accidents, 115 of whom were killed because of drunk driving.

Numbers cannot represent the actual devastation a car accident victim and their family experiences. On the other hand, knowing the facts can help motorists be more aware about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol.