People do not expect to be in a car accident when they get into their vehicles. It is especially rare for people to become innocent victims in a police chase. However, two families in Oregon had this unfortunate experience on a recent Saturday afternoon when a man trying to escape the police caused two car accidents.
The incidents occurred as a man in a stolen pickup truck led police on a chase through the streets of Beaverton. He hit a vehicle, causing minor injuries to the female driver that did not require hospitalization. Her infant son, who was also in the car, was not injured. The man continued to drive, crossing a concrete median and colliding with another car. A 4-year-old girl in that car was taken to the hospital with non-critical injuries, but her parents were unharmed.
The second crash ended the car chase, and police finally caught the man after he attempted to flee on foot. The man was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and then taken to the Washington County Jail. He faces multiple charges that include felony hit-and-run and reckless driving.
In addition to the slew of criminal charges, this man may also have a civil suit filed against him. The parents of the injured child may pursue a personal injury claim seeking reimbursement for medical expenses that resulted from the accident. In Oregon, injured victims and family members may be entitled to monetary compensation for pain and suffering, medical treatments, lost wages and emotional distress. Car accidents can be traumatic experiences, but filing a successful claim can make a world of difference in the recovery process.
Source: oregonlive.com, “Police chase through Beaverton area ends after two crashes and multiple injuries,” Victoria Edwards, Dec. 8, 2012
