Oregon Car Crash Reminds Us of Safe Driving Practices

John Taylor was driving on North Williams the afternoon of December 10 in 2006. His wife, Della, was in the passenger seat of their motor vehicle. Suddenly, another vehicle veered in front of them, causing the Taylors’ vehicle to smash into the side of it, in what’s called an Oregon T-bone car crash.

Unfortunately, neither Taylor was wearing a seatbelt in this Portland car accident. John sustained a fracture to his vertebra, which later required surgery. He now suffers neck pain and has difficulty swallowing, which doctors believe may be permanent.

John’s injuries complicated the life of the couple. Both were in their 70s at the time of the Portland injury car crash and had met one another later in life and soon married. Della already had medical complications before the accident, and John was her caretaker. Following the Portland car collision, Della suffered additional leg problems as well as cognitive difficulties. John’s injuries made it even more difficult for him to care for his wife at home.

The Portland personal injury attorneys at DuBois Law Group were able to help the Taylors settle their Oregon car accident case without trial.

There are several steps a motorist can take to help ensure their safety and the safety of others when operating a motor vehicle:

• Don’t speed. Staying within the speed limit saves gas and keeps you and your passengers safe.
• Avoid driving in the fast lane (the furthest lane to the left). If you use the center or right-hand lanes on a freeway, you have more “escape routes” if a problem occurs that requires you to change lanes quickly or pull off the road onto the shoulder. Most highway accidents are in the left lanes of traffic. Of course, if you are actually passing someone, use the passing lane – but since you’re not going to speed, this won’t happen all that often.
• Scan the road ahead at all times. Don’t just watch the car in front of you; watch the traffic in front of that vehicle as well. This raises your chances of being able to see a problem ahead and still having enough time to react. It also decreases the possibility of rear-ending the vehicle in front of you if they stop suddenly.
• Know your blind spots. Try to adjust your rearview mirror and side mirrors to reduce the size of blind spots as much as possible. Also, don’t rely on just your mirrors when changing lanes; actually turn to look at the lanes next to you to be sure another vehicle isn’t there. You should also be aware of other drivers’ blind spots and try not to spend a lot of time in them.
• Drive with your hands in the 10 and 2 o’clock position, giving you the maximum control of your vehicle. If you’re forced to make a quick maneuver, having control of your vehicle immediately could help you avoid an Oregon car crash.
• Be aware of your car’s limits, and keep your vehicle in good shape. If you own a minivan, don’t drive it like a sports car. (And if you own a sports car, don’t drive it too much like a sports car!) Know how your car reacts in certain situations, like how sensitive the brakes are.

The Portland car accident attorneys at DuBois Law Group represent victims who have been injured in an Oregon car crash. Contact us today to find out how we can help you recover compensation for any injuries you have suffered in a car accident in Oregon.