A recent Oregon case decision came down making businesses like golf courses and by implication baseball groups liable for harm and injury to people off-site when the negligent act happened upon a different piece of property. The Oregon case decision found the golf course owner negligent under the theory that an owner of land can be found at fault to “protected interests” outside the property in question which was caused by negligence upon another piece of property both of which are usually adjacent to each other.

Walking by a golf course can be dangerous and you certainly could be injured by a stray golf ball and given the current status of Oregon law there may be a remedy at hand to pursue your claim for injuries and medical bills.

With the holiday season upon us being driven around in a car by a family member raises the question of whether you can sue or bring an insurance settlement claim against a member of your own family. The driver could be your wife, husband, child, parent or cousin.

In Oregon and Washington states you can certainly get injury settlement money to compensate you for pain and suffering (if you are injured by a family member) unless the applicable insurance auto policy excludes tort claims under the family member exclusion doctrine. Historically the law generally prohibited insurance or tort claims against your wife or husband because of something the courts called spousal immunity.

Because spousal immunity has been so eroded over the years it now comes down to whether the insurance policy excludes these claims. If the car auto insurance policy is silent about whether you can sue family members for injury money then because of the family exclusion absence then you are free to pursue an injury.

All information was taken off this website: http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf

“When stopping behind another vehicle at a stop light, make sure you leave enough space to see where the rear tires of the vehicle in front meet the road. When the light turns green, wait and count at least two seconds before you start to go. This gives you visibility and a good following distance.

There are situations, such as those below, where you need even more space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. In these situations, you should increase your following distance:

* On slippery roads. You need more distance to stop your vehicle on slippery roads.

* When the driver behind you wants to pass. Slow down to allow room in front of your vehicle for the passing vehicle to complete the pass sooner and more safely.

* When following bicycles or motorcycles. You need extra room in case the rider loses control of the bicycle or motorcycle.

* When following drivers who cannot see you. The drivers of trucks, buses, vans, or vehicles pulling campers or trailers may not be able to see you when you are directly behind them. These large vehicles also block your view of the road ahead. More room allows you to see ahead.

* When approaching railroad crossings. Leave extra room between you and vehicles required to stop at railroad crossings, including school buses or vehicles carrying hazardous materials.

* When you have a heavy load or are pulling a trailer. The extra weight increases your stopping distance.

* When it is hard for you to see. In bad weather or darkness, increase your following distance to make up for decreased vision.

* When following emergency vehicles. Some police vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks need more room to operate. You should not follow closer than 500 feet behind a fire truck or other emergency vehicle.

* When stopped on a hill. The vehicle ahead may roll back when it starts up.

* When you are learning to drive. As a new driver, you may become confused when learning driving skills, such assteering, turning, lane changes, and reading traffic signs or signals. Leave extra room between you and the vehicle ahead. The extra room provides you time to make critical decisions as you learn.

* When stopping behind another vehicle at a stop light, make sure you leave enough space to see where the rear tires of the vehicle in front meet the road.

*When the light turns green, wait and count at least two seconds before you start to go. This gives you visibility and a good following distance.

Stopping Distances
You need to know how long it takes to stop any vehicle you drive. Stopping distance can depend on road and weather conditions, the speed you are traveling, your reaction time, and the braking ability of your vehicle.”

If you find yourself in an accident make sure you call an attorney with experience.