Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Portland, OR is well-known as one of the best bicycle cities in the nation. It’s a well-won title — and confirmed by the thousands of bicyclists commuters and families frequently using the many bike lanes and bike paths. But even with all the awareness and care that Portland takes to protect their bikers, accidents still happen.

Personal Injury Portland

• Car Accident
• Wrongful Death
• Dog Bite Accident
• Slip & Fall Accident
• Motorcycle Accident
• Pedestrian Accident
• Professional Negligence
• Premises Liability Accident
• Construction Site Accident
• Commercial Trucking Accident

Other Locations

• Everett
• Vancouver
• Spokane

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, you need help from an experienced and knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney. At Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys Portland, we help those injured in a bicycle accident obtain the pecuniary damages they need in order to cover the expenses incurred by the crash.

A bicycle accident is a shocking and confusing accident to be involved in. You, or your loved one, are probably recovering from severe injuries, as bikers have very little protection from cars. You are also likely wondering who is going to be responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of by insurance companies or the at-fault driver — their goal will always be to avoid responsibility and payment to the injured party. At Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys Portland, our attorneys are committed to helping those injured in a bicycle accident recover from their injuries through obtaining maximum compensation for hospital bills, future medical needs, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages related to your bicycle accident.

Protecting Bicycle Accident Victims in Portland

Even though Portland has created one of the most safe and welcoming cities for cyclists, bikers are still vulnerable to larger vehicles around them. While cars and trucks can easily weigh over 4,000 pounds or more, a biker and his bike will only weigh between 100-300lbs — a significant difference. And while motor vehicle drivers enjoy the protection of steel, glass, and air bags, a biker has, comparatively, almost no protection at all.

But bicyclists are not just vulnerable to being struck by motor vehicles. They are also subject to injury when they:

• Are struck or knocked off their bikes by another bicyclist.
• Are attacked by a dog, usually one that is off the leash or wandering at large.
• Fall from their bikes due to a defect in the street or roadway upon which they are traveling. This often happens with loose gravels or jagged potholes that pop up unexpectedly, taking the bicyclist off guard.
• Ride a bicycle that has a design defect, and an injury results because of it.

Of course, these are not the only ways that a bicyclist can be injured while out cycling. There are many others, and each case is unique and has specific circumstances. Review your situation with our Portland bicycle accident attorney to determine the validity of your claim and learn more about the claims process.

So, despite bikers helmets and additional visibility-enhancing elements, like reflective clothing and blinking light attachments, the roads remain a potentially dangerous place for them. When an automobile collides with a bicyclist, the driver is in almost zero danger. But the consequences for the bicyclist are severe. Those injured in such an accident often sustain broken limbs, lacerations, head trauma, strained muscles, excessive bruising, and other serious injuries.

If you’ve been in a bicycle accident in Portland, OR, we are here to help you obtain the coverage you need for your health care. Our skilled bicycle accident attorneys will perform a full investigation of the accident, and work with you and your doctors to ensure that you receive the medical treatment you need.

Experienced Local Portland Bicycle Accident Attorneys that Work With You

At Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys, we know the importance of helping out our neighbors. Many of us regularly ride bikes ourselves or have family members or close friends that do. This makes us all the more sensitive to caring for the needs of you and your family.

Most Oregon auto insurance policies automatically include a coverage called personal injury protection (PIP) that will be accessed to cover bicyclists injured by a motor vehicle. Our attorneys will guide you through the PIP claims process, fielding insurance calls and paperwork on your behalf. If PIP insurance coverage is not available, we will pursue other options for compensation recovery. Additionally, we will represent you in any insurance claim disputes that arise, including bad faith insurance claim denials.

Compensable damages in a bicycle accident vary based on the particulars of the accident. Some of the damages for which you may be entitled to include:

• Medical costs. Most bicycle accident claims include compensation for the costs of medical treatment post-accident. Injuries related to the accident are usually covered, from initial ambulance rides to the emergency department of the local hospital to knee surgery to correct damage and ongoing physical therapy. If a bicycle accident results in a permanent injury, disability, or deficit, then an enhanced award to help cover future costs of medical care is appropriate.

• Lost wages. Money lost as a result of being unable to go to work due to your injuries is likewise compensable. Monetary awards for lost income are typically equal to the amount of money you would have brought home if you did not sustain an injury in a bicycle accident. If your accident causes you a permanent loss of income or makes you unable to do the type of work you were previously engaged in doing, you may receive an award for diminished capacity to earn a living.

• Mental anguish, pain and suffering. Financial damages may be easier to prove, but many bicyclists suffer from mental anguish, pain and suffering in the wake of a bicycle accident. In addition to the physical pain that comes along with dealing with being hurt, mental anguish is sometimes also a factor. This might be because of long-term scarring and disfigurement that leaves the bicycle accident victim lacking confidence in their appearance. It might also surface as the bicyclist giving up cycling altogether when it was formerly a big part of their life.

• Damage to property. Violent collisions of bicycles with cars, other bicycles, or other objects can result in damage to your personal belongings, including your bike. This might include your phone, watch or jewelry, glasses or sunglasses, helmet, or other items. The damage or loss of property due to the accident is also compensable.

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident in Portland, contact one of our attorneys to find out more about our experience in handling bicycle accident claims. We can help you.

Fill out our free bicycle accident consultation form or call our toll-free number at 971-277-6240.

• Bicycle Accident Attorneys
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