Portland Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Protecting the Rights of Portland Riders

You have a right to share the road as a motorcycle rider in Portland, just like every other motorist. However, many drivers of cars and trucks don’t respect motorcyclists and create dangerous spaces for them whenever they are on the roads and highways together. If this happened to you and you were in a terrible accident, then you should explore your legal options to set things right.

With Pacific Cascade Legal and our Portland motorcycle accident lawyers by your side, you can pursue compensation and justice with an injury claim. We know how to build powerful claims and file against large insurance companies, so you don’t have to. Let us lead the way and fight for every penny owed to you after a motorcycle wreck.

Contact us online or dial (503) 573-5566 now for more information.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents don’t just happen. They are usually caused by some form of negligence that reasonably could have been avoided had the liable party acted more carefully. Determining the cause of the accident is instrumental in also figuring out who is liable.

What can cause a motorcycle accident?

• Unsafe lane changes: Many motorcycle accidents in Portland happen when a driver changes lanes without checking their mirrors and blind spots properly for motorcycles. Due to their smaller frames, motorcycles are more difficult to see and acknowledge once seen, so drivers must be particularly mindful when making a lane change or merge.
• Unsafe left-hand turns: For the same reason that motorists can look at but not acknowledge motorcycles in their blind spots and mirrors, they can also miss oncoming motorcycles and take left-hand turns right in front of them. Motorcyclists are advised to always use a headlight, even in the middle of the day, to reduce the risk of this type of collision.
• Speeding: Drivers often misjudge how closely they are following motorcycles because they are used to basing distance on a rear-end bumper. If a driver is breaking the speed limit as they approach a stopped intersection, then there will be a higher-than-usual risk of rear-ending the motorcyclist in front of them, especially because motorcycles can come to a complete stop much faster than larger vehicles.
• Vehicle defects: If a motorcycle part becomes defective without warning, it can be catastrophic to the rider. For example, if the brakes suddenly give out or a tire pops, then the motorcycle rider can be thrown off their ride. In such cases, the part manufacturer could be a likely defendant.
• Poor road conditions: Motorcycles are vulnerable to poor road conditions like potholes, debris, and unclear lane dividers. For example, a motorcycle that runs over a pothole can tip over immediately, resulting in serious injuries. The city or transportation department in charge of road maintenance could be liable, but such cases are difficult to pursue.

Proving Liability in a Motorcycle Accident Claim

The cause of the motorcycle accident is indicative of liability for it. To build a strong claim, though, we will want to take extra steps to prove liability and remove any chance the defendant has to maneuver away from it. We can use convincing and tangible forms of evidence to reach this goal.

Types of evidence that we can bring to a motorcycle accident claim could include:

• Helmet cam footage
• Dashcam footage
• Eyewitness statements
• First responder reports

Injuries Suffered by Motorcycle Riders

Motorcycle accidents often result in life-changing injuries suffered by the rider. Without the metal frame of a vehicle around them, motorcyclists can be thrown off their rides and tumble across the asphalt. If you were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, then please call (503) 573-5566 to tell us what happened. We can work with medical experts to research your injuries, which strengthens the validity of your claim.

Serious injuries often reported in motorcycle accidents include:

• Head and brain injuries
• Back and spine injuries
• Neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Road rash
• Permanents disfigurement

Compensation for Injured Motorcyclists

You could be owed a significant amount of compensation after another motorist hit you while you were riding through Portland. It will depend on the losses that you specifically have suffered, though. In other words, we can’t guarantee how much your claim is worth or what the final recovery will be, but we can fight with everything we have to secure the largest compensation amount possible in your name.

Compensation for injured motorcyclists can include:

• Past and future medical treatment costs
• Special therapies and treatments
• Lost income and wages
• Necessary lifestyle changes
• Pain and suffering
• Lessened enjoyment of life

Our highly experienced legal team can also handle motorcycle accident cases that involve the death of a loved one. If you lost a family member in a fatal motorcycle crash, then we would be honored to stand up for you during this difficult time.

Oregon Motorcycle Safety Laws

Oregon’s laws about motorcycle use and safety can influence your motorcycle accident claim. If you were not following the state’s rules and regulations, and that failure to comply could have worsened your injuries, then it could impact your liability. We will work diligently to keep your liability as low as possible when we represent you, though.

Three important Oregon motorcycle safety laws are:

• Helmet use: All motorcycle riders, including operators and passengers, must wear a motorcycle helmet whenever the vehicle is used. There are no exceptions for experienced or older riders.
• Lane-splitting: Oregon does not lawfully permit lane-splitting or the act of riding a motorcycle in between occupied lanes of traffic, typically to pass slower-moving vehicles.
• Licensure: Motorcyclists in Oregon must have a valid driver’s license and a motorcycle endorsement or instruction permit.

Time to Start a Claim – Call Now

Talk to our Portland motorcycle accident attorneys now to see what can be done after you’ve been in a wreck that was not your fault. You could be owed significant compensation, and we want to secure it for you. With our contingency fee agreements, you won’t owe any attorney fees unless we win your case, too, so the financial risk to you is kept absolutely minimal.

Schedule a consultation with our firm now to get started.