Oregon Trucking Accidents Caused by Running Red Lights
Even before we get behind the wheel, we know that a green light means go, yellow means caution and slow, and red means stop. Yet, far too many drivers fail to use caution at yellow lights and stop at red lights. This is why intersections are considered to be one of the most dangerous places on the roadway. Drivers who fail to stop at a red light are places themselves and others are serious risk for personal injuries or wrongful death. Many t-bone collisions or head-on collisions are catastrophic and fatal. This is especially true when a large commercial truck like a big rig, 18 wheeler, tanker, or other box truck runs a red light and results in an Oregon trucking accident. Our Portland trucking accident lawyers know just how dangerous these types of crashes are and why you need to retain the right kind of personal injury lawyer for your case.
Running Red Lights Violates Oregon Vehicle and Traffic Law
Although it is common sense to not run a red light, this is ingrained in society because of the vehicle and traffic law. Under Oregon Law, ORS 811.265 governs a driver’s failure to obey traffic control devices. Subsection (1) provides that “[a] person commits the offense of driver failure to obey a traffic control device is the person drivers a vehicle and the person does any of the following: (a) Fails to obey the directions of any traffic control device. (b) Fails to obey any specific traffic control device described under ORS 811.260 . . . in the the manner required by that section.”
These offenses under both subsection (a) and (b) include a red light. A driver who runs a red light is violating both subsections and is potentially liable for the offense.
Establishing Personal Injury Liability for Running a Red Light
When a truck driver runs a red light and causes personal injuries, it could result in serious consequences for the injured victim and his or her family. This is why Oregon, like most states, as the doctrine of negligence per se. This doctrine allows a victim who was supposed to be protected from a statute to hold a violator who harms the victim automatically liable. There are certain elements that a victim must establish for this doctrine to apply, including that the victim did not violate a statute, the defendant actually did violate the law, the law was meant to protect the victim in the manner in which the victim was harmed, and that no other pertinent defense applies to the defendant (emergency, directed by police, medical emergency).
Truck Drivers that Run Red Lights Need to be Held Accountable
A truck driver who runs a red light is placing everyone in grave danger of being seriously injured or wrongfully killed. This is because a truck driver who fails to comply with Oregon law, including the most basic laws relating to stopping at a red light, is unnecessarily harming innocent people. Large commercial vehicles frequently cause catastrophic injury and wrongful death due to their large size.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of a trucking accident or collision contact the Oregon Truck Accident Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, and Hillsboro.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take Trucking accident cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
