According to reporting from The Eagle, three people have been injured in an alleged street racing crash that occurred at the entrance of a parking lot in North Portland. A representative from the Portland Police Bureau told reporters that the victims who were hospitalized in the wreck were not believed to be involved in street racing. Instead, they were in another vehicle that was hit by a street racing Ford Mustang.
The driver of the Mustang was arrested and cited for multiple serious traffic violations. Unfortunately, street racing has been the cause of several very serious accidents in Multnomah County in recent years. Here, our experienced Portland personal injury attorneys highlight some of the most important things that you need to know about street racing accidents in Oregon.
The Police Report is Critically Important
Under Oregon law, all auto accidents that result in physical injuries or major property damage should be reported to state or local law enforcement. As an accident victim, it is in your best interests to ensure that the police respond to the scene of your crash. Once there, the responding officers should write an official accident report. This is especially important in accidents that were caused by drivers who were street racing or were otherwise operating their vehicle in a reckless or dangerous manner. Reckless drivers may be cited by the responding officers for their misconduct. In especially egregious cases, the street racer may even be arrested. Any traffic citation or criminal charges filed in relation to your crash will be an important form of evidence in your personal injury claim.
Unfortunately, with street racing, hit and run accidents are a very serious problem. Street racing drivers are already breaking the law. Too many of them compound that further by attempting to flee responsibility. If you were hurt in a hit and run crash, you should contact an experienced Portland car accident lawyer immediately. Your lawyer can help you explore all of your available options for full financial compensation.
Street Racing May Be Gross Negligence
In the overwhelming majority of Oregon personal injury claims, victims are entitled to seek financial compensation for their damages. To recover money, it must be tied to a specific economic or noneconomic loss. However, street racing accidents are sometimes an exception to the general rule. In Portland, OR, those who were injured due to the gross negligence of another party may be able to recover punitive damages. To recover punitive damages in a civil personal injury case, you must be able to prove using clear and convincing evidence that the defendant had engaged in reckless conduct and show an “outrageous indifference” to the safety of others. There have been personal injury cases in Oregon in which street racing has been deemed to be gross negligence.
Speak to a Portland Personal Injury Lawyer Today
At Johnston Law Firm, P.C., we are strong advocates for injured victims. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by a reckless driver in Multnomah County, our legal team can help. For a free, no-obligation review of your personal injury case, please call our Portland office today at (503) 546-3167 or reach out to us through our website.