With teens, summertime and alcohol never mixes well. In my twenty years of representing injured Oregonians (and 18 in Washington!) this dangerous mix often results in complicated legal claims for negligence involving a homeowners policy of insurance. A correct interpretation is often times a must to tie in a minor’s use of alcohol and the tolerance of adult parents in allowing the parties to take place.

I have handled a student death swimming in the ocean, a young woman’s fall off a cliff, a swimming pool near death and many deadly car crashes were alcohol and speeding have created many bitter experiences for the parents of these tragic victims.

As more and more Oregon state drivers partake of medical marijuana, one emergency room trauma nurse told a group (which I was a part of) there is a similar increase in DUII car accidents.

Scenario: You’ve seen it before- a line of cars waiting for a red light to change and a bicyclist either passes on right. Should he/she wait behind the cars?

Answer: In 2006 the state legislature in Oregon passed legislation allowing bikers to pass on the right provided they “safely make the passage”.

Unsafe passage is the question that may need a jury to decide. You might also need a lawyer (in Oregon) who knows what they are talking about, handle your bike injury case to get you the most money the law will allow.