Jesus Anibal Arriaga, 14, was seriously injured in a Portland car accident, after he and 14-year-old Dylan Arthur Granger were struck by a car while walking in a crosswalk. According to a report in the News Register, the pedestrian collision occurred the morning of December 11, 2009, when Scott Lee Albert, driving a 1981 Chevrolet Blazer, made a turn onto Southwest Agee Street in McMinnville. He struck both Arriaga and Granger who were in the crosswalk. Granger was not injured, but Arriaga was transported to an area trauma center for treatment of his injuries. Albert stopped at the scene, but he has not been cited or arrested pending an investigation.

My heart goes out to the family of young Jesus, who has apparently sustained serious injuries in this car accident. I truly hope his injuries were not catastrophic and that he has a speedy and complete recovery. He will certainly be in my prayers.

Car Accident Statistics and Crosswalk Law

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), there were 243 car accidents reported in McMinnville in 2007. Out of those accidents one involved a fatality and 99 involved injuries. Also, during the same year, six injury pedestrian accidents were reported in McMinnville.

Under Oregon law, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Oregon law requires a driver to stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk -- whether it is marked or unmarked (ORS 811.010). The driver cannot continue until the pedestrian is no longer in the lane in which the driver's vehicle is traveling or in a lane adjacent to the lane in which the driver's vehicle is traveling.

An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

In this particular case, it is not clear why the driver, Albert, did not see the teens or stop for them. Was the driver under the influence? Was he distracted in some way? Was the driver speeding or otherwise negligent? The answers to these questions should help determine what exactly, happened here.

Jesus' family would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Oregon personal injury lawyer, who will keep up with the official investigation, and make sure they receive fair compensation to help cover medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, any rehabilitation or therapy expenses, or even the cost of long term care. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.