The unfortunate truth in Oregon and elsewhere is that in some cases, young drivers get into accidents due to their lack of experience driving. This may be a part of what happened in one recent auto accident. In that incident, two teens lost their lives, including the 18-year-old driver.
The auto accident happened near Hood River. According to a report, the teens were in a car that was on Interstate 84 just prior to the crash. As the young driver travelled, he came upon a large tractor-trailer. Witnesses to the incident reported that the car almost smashed into the back of the truck.
In an attempt to avoid a crash, the driver swerved his car off of the roadway. As he did so, he drove into a nearby weigh station. Once there, his vehicle smashed into the back of a parked truck. The impact resulted in the deaths of both people in the car. The passenger and the driver were only 18 years old when they died.
Now the estate of the driver at the wheel when the auto accident occurred may be held liable for his actions. In many cases here in Oregon, the surviving family of a deceased victim can make a claim against the estate of the driver under our state’s personal injury laws. Such a claim can include wrongful death. The result could lead to an economic award being given to a family that can help to ease the financial pain caused by this type of incident. However, the emotional impact can be much more severe and take years to recover from, if ever.
Source: Oregonlive.com, Portland passenger injured in fatal Hood River car crash has died, No author, Oct. 19, 2013
