Portland area roads are filled with cars, bicyclists and pedestrians. Many Pacific Northwest residents enjoy the outdoor lifestyle of our area and often take to the streets to walk to their destinations. This can bring great health benefits, but can also lead to serious injuries when cars and walkers collide.
An elderly woman was struck and injured in Clackamas on March 2. The accident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. as the woman was attempting to cross Highway 224 at 82nd Drive. The pedestrian was reportedly in a crosswalk when she was struck by the car. The injured woman was taken to the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland where she was reportedly intensive care.
The car’s driver was not injured. Police have begun investigating the accident and have cited the driver for failure to stop for a pedestrian.
When a person suffers injuries as a result of an accident, as happened in this case, there are potentially substantial costs involved in the recovery process. Damages, medical treatments and lengthy hospital stays can make for large bills that many people are unprepared for. Add to that the lost wages that an accident victim can suffer, and the economic impact of an accident can be overwhelming.
The victim and her family will most likely look forward to reading and understanding the formal report of this accident investigation. It is indeed tragic that simply crossing the street in a crosswalk can lead to such severe injuries. In matters like this one, Portland pedestrians should know that negligent drivers can be held responsible for their actions through a civil lawsuit.
Source: KATU, “Driver cited in critical pedestrian crash,” March 6, 2012
