Kenneth R. Laughton Jr., 50, was seriously injured in an Oregon City car accident the morning of October 23, 2009, The Oregonian reports. The accident occurred when Laughton who was travelling south on the Oregon 99E near South End Road, in a 1994 Ford Explorer SUV drifted across the center line and collided with a big-rig hauling a trailer. Laughton was seriously injured and pinned inside his SUV. He had to be extricated and airlifted to a Portland hospital. The truck driver -- 39-year-old Mykhaylo M. Zalozh -- was uninjured.

My heart goes out to Kenneth Laughton, who has apparently suffered major injuries in this big rig accident. I hope and pray that he makes it through these serious injuries and has a full recovery. I'm also relieved that the truck driver was not injured in what could have been an extremely serious crash, had a fire started. Laughton and his family will be in my prayers.

Oregon City Car Accident Statistics

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation's (ODOT) statistics there was a total of 435 car accidents in Oregon City in 2007. During that same year, one fatality and 174 serious injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in Oregon City.

In this particular case, based on this news report, it is unclear as to what caused Laughton to lose control of his Ford Explorer SUV. If I were a member of this seriously injured victim's family, I would look into whether the accident was caused by a vehicle defect or a mechanical malfunction in the Explorer. In such cases, it is best to preserve the crashed vehicle, unaltered, so it may be examined by an expert for malfunctions, product defects or other evidence.

Auto Products Liability Issues Involving SUVs

Ford SUVs -- specifically the Explorer, Expedition and Excursion models -- are notorious for going out of control and overturning even at low speeds. Because of their high center of gravity, these Ford SUVs are disproportionately prone to rollovers compared to other passenger vehicles. Roof crush is also a serious problem in these vehicles. In fact, BISNAR | CHASE has represented several car accident victims who have been paralyzed in rollover crashes involving Ford SUVs and have suffered permanent disabilities requiring 24/7 care.

Injured victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact a reputed Portland Oregon personal injury lawyer, who has the experience and a successful track record of representing injured victims against auto makers in auto products liability cases. If the accident is determined to have been caused by a defective auto, injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of long term care, hospitalization, medication and other related expenses. The best Portland personal injury lawyers 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.