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Oregon motorcyclist's lawyers win his case against logging company that illegally parked a logging truck, resulting in his accident, winning $561,467.85

Accident Type: 
Motorcycle Accident
Incident Date: 
Tuesday, August 31, 1993
Result Date: 
Thursday, December 14, 1995
Monetary Result: 
$561,468
  Lance Willis, at that time a 21-year-old student, was riding his motorcycle in Lane County, Oregon when he made a left turn on a rural road. His view was blocked from on-coming traffic by a 60-foot-long, loaded logging truck. As he was making the turn at the intersection, he and his motorcycle collided with an on-coming vehicle.  Willis suffered extensive injuries, including an open fracture of the left tibia and a fracture of fibula requiring insertion of steel rod. His knee was dislocated, receiving extensive ligament damage requiring surgical repair. His hip was also dislocated and fractured, requiring insertion of permanent metal screws. Willis decided to sue the truck driver and the company he was working for at the time, Rose Logging, Inc. for his medical care following the accident and lost pay. He argued that since the logging truck was illegally parked at the intersection, that they were liable for his medical care.  In the end, the jury ruled in favor of Willis and against the logging company, awarding Willis $561,467.85.