Arnulfo Reyes Jr., 44, was seriously injured in a Portland car accident after his car struck the back of a parked semi-truck the morning of November 2, 2009. According to a KGW news report, Reyes was driving his Mercedes in foggy conditions on Highway 26 when visibility was limited to about 40 feet. The semi was parked at the weigh station near Highway 6 while the truck driver, 43-year-old Roderick G. Roan was taking a break from driving. Roan told officers that his parking lights were on and the truck was in park.

The impact from the collision with the big rig caused severe damage to the Mercedes and trapped Reyes in the car. He suffered several broken bones and chest injuries. He was transported to an area hospital and his condition is said to have stabilized. Roan was uninjured. Police suspect Reyes may have been driving too fast given the foggy conditions. Authorities did not issue citations to either driver.

I'm relieved to hear that Reyes is recovering and that he did not suffer life-threatening injuries. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from his serious injuries. Please keep this victim in your prayers.

Portland Truck Accidents

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation's (ODOT) data, car accidents in Portland claimed 34 lives and caused 5,087 injuries in 2007. According to the Department of Transportation's truck accident statistics, 54 people were killed in big rig accidents in Oregon in 2007. During the same period, 420 people were injured as a result of serious truck accidents in Oregon.

Based on this newspaper report, it is hard to tell what exactly caused this injury car crash. Obviously, weather had a role to play. The highway was foggy at the time. It would be important to find out where exactly the big rig was parked and whether it was parked legally. I trust the investigating agency is looking into those details. If the truck was illegally parked, the truck driver and his employer -- the trucking company -- could be held liable for the accident and injuries. BISNAR | CHASE has handled several cases where illegally parked big rigs have caused tragic accidents on our highways.

An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Reyes would be well-advised to consult a reputed Portland personal injury claim lawyer who has experience handling big rig accident cases. In such cases, injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of income, cost of hospitalization and even long term care expenses. 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.