Two people sustained severe injuries in an Oregon car accident after their cars collided the afternoon of April 15, 2010. According to a news report in The Oregonian, the injury crash occurred on Southeast Jenne Road in Gresham, Oregon. Officials said Jack Whiteaker, 52, who was driving a Jeep, and 19-year-old Cayla Wilson, who was driving a Buick Century crashed head-on in the 5700 block of Jenne Road. One of the drivers was trapped in the wreckage and needed to be extricated. Both were transported to a local hospital. Whiteaker's condition has been upgraded to "fair" while Wilson still remains in critical condition.


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My heart goes out to both these drivers who have been severely injured in this car crash. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Head-on Collisions

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines a head-on collision as one where the front end of one vehicle collides with the front end of another vehicle while the two vehicles are traveling in opposite directions. Head-on collisions usually cause catastrophic injuries and even fatalities. According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database, there is no identifiable pattern for these types of crashes. However, driver behavior is an important aspect in head-on collisions. Impairment, fatigue, improper lane changes, distraction and medical conditions are usually factors in head-on collisions.

Fault and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not entirely clear whose fault this particular accident was. For a head-on collision to have occurred, one of the drivers must have swerved out of lanes and into the path of oncoming traffic. In such cases, the at-fault driver could be held financially liable for the accident and resulting injuries. Injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, therapy, and even long-term care.

If a dangerous roadway condition caused the accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. In Oregon, any such claim against a public entity must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. In such cases, victims and their families would be well-advised to contact a reputed Oregon personal injury lawyer, who will advise them about their legal rights and options, and make sure they receive just compensation for their injuries and losses.

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.

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