Around 11:45 a.m. on March 25, 2022, Northeast Portland police officers responded to a call and found a 34-year-old Portland man dead on Northeast Marine Drive and 148th Avenue. After being hit by a tractor-trailer on Friday morning, Investigators spoke with the driver and determined that the man had intentionally jumped into the semi truck’s path to kill himself.
After suffering an unexpected and horrendous event, the truck driver cooperated with the police investigators and stayed at the accident scene. While no one was cited, investigators are still looking for more information on the case. While pedestrians are often the ones that suffer the most in accidents involving motor vehicles, drivers may also suffer when accidents occur.
Can a Pedestrian Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident?
When an accident occurs with a pedestrian, the one who often suffers the most damage and harm is the pedestrian. Due to this factor, most compensation is awarded to the pedestrian to assist with medical treatment and possible disability. However, under the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), pedestrians have certain responsibilities while on or around the road and when dealing with motor vehicles.
- ORS Section 814.010: Pedestrians must follow all traffic signals and devices, as well as refrain from crossing when a signal flashes “Do Not Walk.”
- ORS Section 814.040: When crossing a street without a designated crosswalk, pedestrians must yield to vehicles and refrain from moving into traffic and suddenly leaving the sidewalk or curb.
- ORS Section 814.050: Pedestrians must yield to emergency vehicles and ambulances.
- ORS Section 814.060: When available, pedestrians must use overhead passages or tunnels instead of crossing roadways.
In most cases, a pedestrian’s injuries are extremely severe and require immediate medical attention. If a pedestrian acts in any of the above ways and causes an accident, they may be held partially at fault.
How to Handle an Accident Involving a Pedestrian
When a pedestrian’s negligent actions are the cause of an accident, you may feel overwhelmed or unsure how to handle the situation. Consider the following steps to protecting yourself and assisting the pedestrian:
Contact Emergency Assistance
Most pedestrian accidents inflict severe injuries. After first evaluating yourself, check the pedestrian and see whether they require immediate medical assistance. Once you’ve contacted emergency care, contact local law enforcement to dispatch an officer.
Gather Evidence
In most cases, pedestrian accidents are challenging to gather evidence for, but taking pictures and videos of the surrounding area and accident location may assist your injury lawyer. For example, you may unknowingly show a surveillance camera that your lawyer can then use as evidence.
Call Your Lawyer
You may still suffer injuries in an accident involving a pedestrian. Talking with your lawyer about how to showcase fault and recover compensation will significantly alter the outcome of your claim. They will provide you with essential tools and guidance throughout the legal and medical process.
f you suffer harm in an accident involving a pedestrian, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries and damage. Speak with an injury lawyer as soon as possible to help determine your best options on how to recover compensation for your losses.
Speak With an Experienced Oregon Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Everyone on or near the road has a certain level of duty of care when it comes to avoiding accidents. If you suffer injuries due to a pedestrian’s reckless actions, seek legal representation with a hard-working Rizk Law lawyer. We can help you recover the compensation you need to complete full recovery.
Our team has years of experience working within the community to make everyone feel safe and respected. You deserve to receive compensation for injuries you may suffer in an accident. Call (503) 245-5677 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with Attorney Richard Rizk.