Portland Bike Accident Lawyers

A Portland Bike Accident Lawyer Can Help

Injured after a bicycle crash? The Advocates are here for you.

When a motor vehicle collides with a bicycle, it can be catastrophic for the bicyclist. Many bike accidents involving passenger vehicles result in serious injuries or fatalities. Cyclists who have been hit by cars are often faced with medical expenses, bicycle repairs, and long recovery times.

The Portland Advocates are ready to answer any questions you may have about your situation, such as:

• How will my medical bills get paid?

• Who is liable for my accident?

• What will happen if I can’t return to work because of my injuries?

• Or do I even have a personal injury case at all?

The Advocates are experienced personal injury lawyers who are committed to helping you get the settlement you deserve for your bicycle accident case. We are proud to have recovered millions of dollars worth of settlements for our clients.

If you have injuries from a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. The Advocates can give you a free case evaluation and help you determine what damages you can seek.

Our Attorneys Truly Care About You and Your Family

We don’t call ourselves Advocates without reason. We truly care about the clients we represent and will go the extra mile to help them fully recover. As a client of The Advocates, we will treat you as if you are our one and only client. Your needs will always be our first priority. After The Advocates accept your case, you’ll never be just one more case among thousands.

The Advocates and their staff are exceptional. Their attorneys are prepared and dedicated to help you meet your needs. They will communicate with you throughout your entire case. If you’ve been in a car accident, I highly recommend The Advocates.

T Wray

What Can The Advocates Do For My Case?

Attempting to navigate the claims process while dealing with injuries can be stressful and frustrating, and can hinder your recovery. When you’ve been injured, you should be able to focus solely on feeling better. The Advocates are here to make that a possibility.

From the moment you call us to the day your case is settled, The Advocates will be by your side. We not only provide fierce legal representation, but compassion and care based on your needs. 

Depending on the nature of your accident, The Advocates will help you:

• 
  Build your case
• 
  Negotiate your settlement
• 
  Represent you in court
• 
  Help you access medical care
• 
  Find a local repair shop for your bicycle
• 
  Communicate with your employer regarding your accident
• 
  Help you understand your medical bills
• We take pride in putting our clients’ needs first, and we are prepared to do the same for you. When you hire an Advocate, you get an entire legal team ready to fight for your personal injury claim.
  

Why You Need a Portland Bike Accident Attorney 

Even if you know you are entitled to compensation for the damages you’ve incurred from your accident, actually receiving a settlement offer can be a different story. Insurance companies will do whatever they can to avoid offering you a fair settlement. They may try to diminish the severity of your injuries, claim that they were not the result of the accident, or try to deny liability for the accident altogether.

The Advocates know the tricks insurance providers use to avoid paying out, and we know how to get around them. We will fight for you every step of the way in order to obtain a fair settlement. We will take care of the stressful parts of the legal process so you can take care of yourself.

Common damages sought after bicycle accidents include:

• Medical expenses
• Bicycle repairs
• Lost wages and loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral expenses (in the case of wrongful death)

The damages you can seek will depend on the circumstances surrounding your case. Your Advocate can help you determine what compensation you are entitled to.

The Advocates Bicycle Accident Claims Process

Once you have hired an Advocate, our legal team will begin investigating your accident right away. We will compile police reports, witness statements, and photo and video evidence from the scene of the accident. We will keep track of the medical treatment you receive, the repairs done on your bike, and other expenses you incur after the crash.

Once you have finished medical treatment and we have gathered all necessary evidence, we will send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company. The demand letter outlines all the damages you are seeking in your claim.

After the demand letter has been received by the other party, negotiations will begin. Your Advocate will use all the evidence available to obtain a settlement to help you offset the expenses related to your accident.

In most cases, an agreement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to offer fair compensation, your Advocate will take your case to court. We will represent you in front of a judge and/or jury. The court will determine who was at-fault for the accident and how much is owed in damages.

Oregon Bicycle Injury Statistics

How many people are injured in bicycle accidents each year?

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, there are an average of 850 bicycle accidents in Oregon each year. Most of these accidents result in at least minor injuries to the biker. 

An average of 10 bicyclists are killed each year on Oregon roads. This is a small percentage of the number of cyclists involved in accidents, however, given that most of these bike crashes are entirely preventable, even one fatality is too many.

When and where are bicycle accidents most likely to occur?

Most bicycle accidents in Oregon (around 80%) occur during daylight hours. Accidents generally occur in urban areas, and are most likely to happen at intersections. In urban areas, accidents are most likely to happen in the mornings and evenings, as commuters are riding to and from work.

Crashes in rural areas are most likely to occur at non-intersection locations.

Most bicycle accidents occur in dry conditions because cyclists are more likely to ride in nice weather than in rain.

What are the most common causes of bicycle accidents?

Both cyclists and motorists can be found at-fault for bicycle accidents. Knowing the high-risk situations in your area can help you avoid a crash.

Common causes of bicycle accidents in Oregon include:

• Failure to yield (52%)
• Disregarding traffic signs and signals (12%)
• Improper turns or passing (2%)
• Speeding (2%)
• Impaired driving or riding (1%)
• Cyclists hitting fixed objects, including car doors and parked cars (1%)

Both bicyclists and drivers should be aware of their surroundings and vigilant about following the rules of the road. Drivers should look twice before turning or changing lanes, assuming a bicyclist could be nearby.

What are the most common bicycle accident injuries?

When a bicycle and a car collide, the cyclist is at a higher risk of injuries than the motorist or the passengers in the car. Some common injuries that bicycle accident victims suffer are:

• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Back and neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Sprains, strains, and bruising
• Lacerations and road rash

Even if you don’t feel injured after a bike accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may have injuries that you don’t notice right away. These injuries, such as internal organ damage or hairline fractures, can become progressively worse if left untreated.

Oregon Bicycle Laws 

In general, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. You should always familiarize yourself with the local laws of wherever you’re planning to ride. One of the most important ways to avoid an accident is to be as predictable as possible– this means obeying the rules of the road. Drivers will not be expecting you to break the law, and will therefore be more likely to collide with you when you do.

Are bicycle helmets required in Oregon?

Anyone under the age of 16 is required to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle on public roads in Oregon. Those over the age of 16 do not have to wear a helmet, but should do so anyway.

Most fatal accidents involve a head injury. Many of these injuries can be prevented by the simple precaution of wearing a helmet every time you ride. 

Are cyclists required to use the bike lane?

If a bicycle lane or path is available adjacent to the roadway, cyclists are required to use it, except in certain situations (such as avoiding a parked car or making a left turn).

If no bike lane is available, bicyclists should ride on the right side of the road, keeping a safe distance from the curb or edge of the road. Riding too close to the edge of the road may cause you to lose control of your bicycle and fall, creating a dangerous situation for you and the drivers on the road.

Can bicycles ride on the sidewalk?

Oregon has no state law regarding bicycles riding on the sidewalk. Municipalities are allowed to create their own restrictions as needed. Certain areas of downtown Portland prohibit riding on the sidewalk, but it is permitted in most of the city.

If a bicyclist is riding on the sidewalk, they must yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning when passing.

What equipment must a bike have to ride on the road?

Lights are required when riding after sunset and before sunrise. A white headlamp must be affixed to the front of the bicycle and visible from at least 500 feet. Red tail lights or reflectors are required on the back of the bicycle, visible from at least 600 feet.

Although these lights are not required to be turned on during daylight hours, they can help increase visibility and help prevent accidents.

Other types of equipment that are not required but can help keep cyclists safe include bright, reflective clothing, a bell, and mirrors.

Do bicycles need to stop at red lights and stop signs?

Bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road that motor vehicles do. This includes signaling before turns, obeying signs and signals, and yielding the right-of-way when applicable. 

If a cyclist is riding illegally in some way at the time of a crash, they may be held fully or partially liable for the accident. Because Oregon is a modified comparative negligence state, driver negligence and cyclist negligence will be taken into account during the investigation of the accident. Your settlement claim will be reduced according to the amount of responsibility you had in causing the accident.

Are injured cyclists covered by automobile insurance?

If you are hit by a driver while cycling in Oregon, and either you or the driver have automobile insurance, you are entitled to Personal Injury Protection, otherwise known as PIP. PIP covers medical expenses up to $15,000.

If the driver is uninsured, your own auto insurance coverage should include Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage. This coverage along with PIP can help cover your immediate accident-related costs.

Contact the Portland Bike Accident Lawyers at The Advocates for a Free Case Evaluation Today