When to Hire a Motorcycle Crash Attorney in Portland?
You should always have a Portland motorcycle accident attorney on your side after any accident, big or small. Why? Because these cases are almost never simple. They’re complex, and complicated, and there are lots of factors that may work against you. The other driver involved, for example, might try and say that you made the accident happen.
And with so many obstacles and challenges, it’s important to have an expert helping hand—a motorcycle accident lawyer—on your side and in your corner.
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Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Portland, OR
If you’re one of the thousands of riders involved in motorcycle accidents, help is at hand. The best Portland motorcycle accident attorney team can help you. We’ll build your case, gather evidence, fight for your rights, and guide you every step of the way toward the best possible outcome: a fair and just compensation payout.
Trusted Portland Motorcycle Crash Lawyers Committed to Fighting for You
Always ready to fight for your rights, the Portland motorcycle accident lawyer team strives for justice in every case we take on. We’ll provide game-changing legal advice. We’ll assuage your fears. And we’ll work tirelessly to prove liability, build an unbeatable case, and get maximum amounts in compensation.
What To Do If You are in a Motorcycle Accident?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Portland, our experienced Portland motorcycle accident attorneys recommend that you do the following:
- Get To Safety: The first thing you should do is get to safety. Analyze your current situation and surroundings to see if you are still in danger or badly injured. Once you decide if you’re still in the danger zone, pull yourself away from the roadway to avoid oncoming traffic. You should also check to see if anyone else was involved in the accident and help them to safety if you can.
- Don’t Remove Protective Gear: Avoid removing your protective gear at all costs. After a collision, you might be in shock, and the adrenalin might prevent you from noticing the injuries or feeling pain. Therefore, wait until the paramedics arrive before removing your helmet and other protective gear. This will avoid exacerbating injuries.
- Call the Police: Next, you should call the police. They can assess the situation and possibly help provide first aid before the medics arrive. Besides, the police will assist with filing a police report for your accident and help identify the at-fault party. This is crucial for your claim.
- Seek Medical Attention: Get medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you are severely injured. It is best to be examined by a professional after the accident to avoid complications. You might not feel severe injuries immediately, making you think you are okay. In some cases, motorbike collision victims start noticing symptoms of injury several months after the accident.
- Gather Evidence: Evidence is vital for your motorcycle accident claim. Gathering evidence while still on the accident scene is always a good idea. You can gather evidence by taking pictures, obtaining a copy of the police report, or writing notes of what you remember. You should also take the contact information of potential witnesses who saw the accident. Such evidence is mandatory when filing a claim.
- Speak With Your Attorney and Insurance Company: Look for a motorcycle accident lawyer in Portland and hire one as soon as you can. They’ll help you manage your case and navigate it to a successful conclusion. That gives you the best chance of a big compensation payout. You’ll want to call your insurance and report the accident, too. But try to avoid telling other people about it or posting about it online; this is recommended for all types of personal injury cases, as anything you say or post online may be used against you.
What Are the Main Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Portland?
There are many causes of motorcycle accidents in Portland, Oregon. Crashes between motorcycles and other types of vehicles account for over half of accident fatalities in the country. The most common form of a bike accident is when a bike crashes head-on with a car. Unfortunately, this kind of accident often results in fatalities.
The common causes of motorcycle accidents in Portland include;
- Speeding
- Car making left-hand turns
- Unsafe road conditions
- Riding under influence
- Motorcycle mechanical problems
- Bad weather conditions
Common Bike Accident Injuries in Portland
Given the operation and nature of motorcycles, there is a consistent pattern in motorcycle crash injuries. For instance, there are significantly higher rates of chest, lower extremity, and abdominal injuries after a motorcycle collision. Here are the common motorcycle accident injuries in Portland:
- Head injury
- Leg injury
- Neck injury
- Arm injury
- Fractures
- Road rash
Proving Fault After a Motorcycle Crash
When you get involved in a motorcycle accident in Portland, proving fault is one of the most integral parts of your legal case. Given the challenge that comes with this process, you will need the help of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from Portland Legal Group. Insurance companies will try to shift the blame to you to lower your settlement offer. Without the necessary legal experience, you might succumb to their tactics and end up receiving a mediocre offer way below what you deserve.
You need an experienced attorney to fight for your rights and negotiate on your behalf. These include:
- The at-fault party had a duty to keep you safe
- The at-fault party violated or breached their duty to keep you safe
- The violation or breach of this duty caused your motorcycle accident injury
- The injury resulted in damages like medical bills and loss of wages
When you choose to work with the best motorcycle accident attorneys Portland has to offer, we ensure that your rights are protected and all the common requirements are met to prove negligence. We won’t stop until we prove that the other party is responsible for the accident.
How To File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Portland
It is very easy to file a motorcycle accident claim in Portland. Start by contacting a Portland motorcycle accident attorney at our firm to help you file a personal injury claim in Oregon. With us, you don’t have to worry about filing the claim and working on the legal aspects of the case because our attorneys will handle it for you. Your biggest concern should be healing from any accident injuries and not worrying about the case.
However, we advise that you should call your insurance company immediately after the motorbike collision while the details of the accident are still fresh in your mind. This will kickstart the claim process which will be vital later on when the attorney is developing the accident case.
Timeline for Filing a Bike Crash Claim
Depending on the specifics of the case, a motorcycle crash claim can take anywhere from six months to a year, on average, to resolve itself. In many cases, this timeline does not include any kind of court date or appearance, as most cases will settle before that stage is reached. However, some more complex cases can take a lot longer.
Motorcycle Accidents and the Role of Comparative Fault
In legal terms, comparative fault is a concept in which fault is divided between parties or people involved in an incident or accident, according to how responsible they were for causing it. This can reduce or increase the amount of damages a victim receives, depending on how “at-fault” they are deemed to be.
Comparative fault often comes into play in motorcycle collision cases. In the state of Oregon, for example, plaintiffs have to demonstrate that they are at most 50% responsible for an accident in order to be eligible to receive compensation after a crash. If they’re 51% or more responsible, they won’t receive any award.
Sources of Compensation After a Portland Motorcycle Crash
Compensation after a motorcycle accident in Portland can take many forms. That includes, for example, the cost of all medical expenses related to the accident, such as surgery, medication, hospital stays, ambulance costs, and disability accommodations.
Other sources can include costs related to emotional pain and distress connected to the audience, physical pain and suffering, like scarring or the onset of chronic pain conditions, repairs and replacements for any property damaged in the accident, which includes your bike itself, and lost wages if you are forced to take time off work or even leave your job because of the injuries sustained in the crash.
The Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Oregon
In the state of Oregon, the statute of limitations for a motorcycle crash claim is two years, regarding personal injury claims. When it comes to property damage claims, like if you wish to claim damages to your bike or other property, you have six years instead. The time limit starts from the day of the accident. So, if you are in a crash, you’ll have two years from that exact date to make your injury claim.
Choose the Best Motorcycle Accident Injury Firm Near You
If you want to enjoy peace of mind and the safest, fastest, most efficient path to compensation and justice in your motorcycle accident case, don’t settle for anything less than the best. Reach out to trusted and proven auto accident lawyer teams near you to get the expert legal assistance you need to succeed.
If you work with an inexperienced legal team or one that hasn’t had much success in the past in cases like yours, there’s a high probability of you missing out on a large part of your compensation.
And, if you try to manage your case alone, you also risk missing out on damages or even not receiving any money at all.
FAQs
Do Motorcyclists Have the Same Rights as Other Motorists in Portland?
The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles states that motorcyclists have equal rights and responsibilities as other motorists and drivers.
What if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet While Riding a Motorcycle?
It is a misdemeanor if you fail to wear a helmet while riding on a street or highway in the state of Oregon. All motorcyclists must abide by this law.
What if I Was at Fault?
If you were at fault in a motorcycle collision, there is still a chance of recovering damages according to Oregon’s comparative negligence laws.
Is Oregon an At-Fault State for Motorcycle Accident Claims?
Oregon is an at-fault state for all motorcycle accident cases. This means that the party responsible for the accident is legally obligated to pay for all damages.
How Can a Portland Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help My Case?
A Portland motorcycle accident attorney can help your case in many ways. For instance, our attorneys at Portland Legal Group can help you file the case and negotiate on your behalf. They will also handle all the legal processes on your behalf.
What Is a Good Settlement Offer?
A good settlement offer is that which covers all your damages and other expenses you incurred due to the accident. Only an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can determine for sure if the offered amount is fair. Never accept an offer without taking advice from your Portland motorcycle accident lawyer!
What Happens if I Reject a Settlement Offer?
If you reject your settlement offer, the offer is considered “dead” and no longer available on the table. Keep in mind that you cannot go back and accept the settlement once it is off the table.
What Damages Are Available in a Motorcycle Accident?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and sustained injuries, you are entitled to financial compensation for your damages. The damages include:
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Loss of wages
- Post-hospital treatment and care
- Psychological distress
How Do You Protect Yourself from a Motorcycle Accident?
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from a motorcycle accident in Portland. Our motorcycle accident attorney encourages you to:
- Wear a fitted, secure helmet and other safety gear
- Take motorcycle riding lessons
- Avoid wearing headphones or earbuds
- Stay aware of what is happening around you