Portland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Recovering Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents happen all too often. While a crash itself is traumatic, the aftermath can be equally distressing. Recuperating from serious injuries while medical bills mount, especially if you are unable to work and earn income, can be overwhelmingly stressful for you and your family.

An experienced Portland motorcycle accident lawyer can help you accurately calculate your past and future losses and ensure you recover just compensation while you focus on your recovery.

The types of compensation you may be entitled to recover include:

• Past and current medical expenses
• Future expenses for any medical treatments
• Wages lost from missing work
• Lost earning power if an injury prevents you from returning to a previous job
• Lost future income if an injury prevents you from returning to work altogether
• Loss of enjoyment of life if changes had to be made
• Expenses necessary to accommodate a permanent disability

Contact our office today by calling 503.245.5677.

Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Portland, Oregon

Injured motorcycle accident victims can seek compensation in several different ways. First, they typically can file an insurance claim with the company representing the negligent party. The claims process can be long and arduous, with the insurance company trying to get accident victims to accept lowball offers and delaying payment. The right motorcycle accident attorney in Portland, Oregon can handle the entire insurance process on your behalf to try to protect your interests.

In some cases, it is necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. You need a lawyer who is not afraid to initiate litigation when necessary and who knows how to handle the entire litigation process and effectively negotiate the settlement you deserve.

Proving Negligence Occurred

One of the primary factors in any motorcycle accident case is determining what caused the crash. If your crash happened because another person or party was negligent in some way, the law gives you the right to seek financial relief from that party. Negligence occurs when another party owes you a specific duty of care and fails to uphold that duty, resulting in an accident that caused your injuries.

Drivers owe motorcyclists – like all other motorists – the duty to operate their cars and trucks in a reasonably safe manner. When a driver makes a mistake or acts carelessly, he or she may be found negligent if the crash caused harm.

Oregon’s Statute of Limitations

Every state, including Oregon, has deadlines to file a lawsuit.  If you miss this deadline, you will not be permitted to take your case to trial. The majority of personal injury lawsuits, like motorcycle accident lawsuits, must be filed within two years from the date of the injury.

Our personal injury lawyers in Portland have a detailed understanding of Oregon personal injury laws and the time limits that apply to these specific cases. We will work hard to ensure that you file your claim within the deadline so you have a chance to pursue favorable compensation.

Fill out our Free Case Evaluation form to get started.

Oregon Motorcycle Laws

According to the Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, motorcyclists must obey the same laws and regulations that motorists follow. The manual helps prepare riders for Oregon licensing tests by providing rules of the road and safe riding practices.

The manual also outlines additional regulations for riders, including licensing requirements, required equipment and insurance minimums:

Rider Education

In order to obtain a motorcycle endorsement in Oregon, you must first complete a motorcycle rider education course approved through Team Oregon if you do not already have a valid endorsement or license from another state. This can include any of the following courses:

• Basic Rider Training (BRT) – This course takes place in a classroom setting over three days for riders of any age. After successful completion, Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) waives both the motorcycle knowledge and on-cycle skill tests.
• Intermediate Rider Training (IRT) – This one-day course takes place in a classroom or online classroom setting for riders 21 and older. The course helps riders build on their street-riding skills and strategies and upon successful completion, DMV waives the motorcycle skills test.
• eRider Basic – This course includes four to six hours in an online classroom and eight hours of practice riding for riders of any age. Upon completion, the motorcycle skills test requirement is waived.
• eRider Intermediate – This half-day course includes four to six hours in an online classroom setting and four hours of practice riding for riders 21 and older. Upon completion, the motorcycle skills test requirement is waived.

Riders who complete an approved motorcycle rider education course may also qualify for a discount on their motorcycle insurance premium.

Motorcycle Endorsement

To be issued a motorcycle endorsement, you must be at least 16 years of age or older and meet all of the following requirements. You must possess:

• A valid Oregon driver’s license
• Proof of legal presence (full name, identity, date of birth)
• Proof of current physical address
• Verifiable Social Security Number (SSN)
• Parental/guardian consent if under age 18
• Proof of completing a Team Oregon motorcycle rider education course
• Proof of passing the required DMV motorcycle knowledge test

Riders have the option of obtaining a motorcycle instruction permit that allows them to drive a motorcycle on public streets and highways with certain restrictions for one year. These restrictions include being accompanied by a rider 21 years old or older on a separate motorcycle with a valid motorcycle endorsement, riding only during daylight hours, carrying no passengers and wearing a helmet.

Helmet Use

In Oregon, every rider and passenger on a motorcycle is required to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant helmet. This is outlined in Oregon Revised Statutes sections 814.269 and 814.275. Failure to wear a motorcycle helmet will result in a citation.

Required Equipment

To be classified as street legal in Oregon, a motorcycle must have at least:

• One and no more than three white headlights, which remain illuminated at all times
• One red taillight with a red stop lamp
• One red reflector on the rear, one white license plate light, and one rear-view mirror
• Fenders on each of the motorcycle’s wheels
• One brake that is operated by the motorcyclist’s foot or hand
• An exhaust system that is in good working condition

Additionally, motorcyclists are prohibited from transporting any objects that restrict their ability to hold the handlebars of a vehicle. There are also numerous laws in Oregon regarding how passengers on motorcycles are allowed to be transported.

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting – in which a motorcyclist rides in-between two lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic – is prohibited. However, the state does allow motorcyclists to share a lane with one other motorcyclist. Attempting to lane share with more than one motorcyclist or any other type of motor vehicle is against the law.

Insurance Minimums

Every motorcyclist must carry liability insurance in Oregon. This helps to cover any personal injury or property damage you cause others in the event of an accident. The minimum insurance requirements include:

• $20,000 for the damage or destruction of property per accident
• $15,000 per person for personal injury protection
• $25,000 for death or bodily injury of one individual
• $50,000 for death or bodily injury of two or more people
• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist coverage

Riders also have the option to purchase additional motorcycle insurance. Unlike liability insurance, this type of coverage can help cover your own damages from costly injuries or property damage, such as:

• Collision coverage, which pays for damage to your bike caused by an impact with another object or vehicle
• Comprehensive coverage which protects motorcyclists from conditions including fire, theft, water, wind, and vandalism
• Medical payment coverage, which covers your reasonable and necessary medical care caused by a crash

At Rizk Law, we advocate for the rights of motorcycle accident victims and fight for the best possible outcome for our clients. A Portland motorcycle accident attorney can help you recover compensation for the extensive losses stemming from a motorcycle accident.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form today.

Common Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries

There are many different types of motorcycle accidents that happen on Portland roadways. Some of the most common accidents involve the negligence of another driver. These include:

• Head-on collisions – This type of collision occurs when a motorist strikes a motorcycle head-on because he or she was distracted or failed to yield the right-of-way. The injuries sustained after these accidents are often severe and could be life-threatening.
• Lane-change crashes –  This happens when a motorist changes lanes and crashes into a motorcyclist or cuts off the motorcycle, not giving the rider enough time to slow down before crashing into the back of another vehicle.
• Left-turn accidents at intersections – One of the most dangerous situations for motorcyclists is when motorists are making left-hand turns. If motorists disregard traffic signals and fail to yield to oncoming traffic when turning they can hit motorcycles traveling straight through an intersection.
• Rear-end collisions – This type of collision occurs when a motorist crashes into the back of a motorcycle, most commonly at a stop sign or red light. Even if the motorist is not going very fast, the force of the impact can cause the rider to be thrown off the motorcycle, resulting in severe injury.
• Drunk-driving accidents – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs plays a significant role in motorcycle accidents. The injuries sustained for a motorcyclist are usually serious or fatal.
• High-speed accidents – Accidents that occur at high-speeds can pose a serious safety threat to motorcycle riders. Motorists who speed greatly reduce their chances of seeing and reacting to a motorcyclist in enough time to prevent a dangerous accident.

All too often these crashes can cause severe and catastrophic injuries due to a motorcycle’s size and lack of protection. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, crushed limbs, road rash burns, internal bleeding and many other traumatic injuries require emergency medical help and may require ongoing treatment for weeks, months, or even years.

If you suffered these or any other injuries in a motorcycle accident, contact us for a free consultation to determine your legal options. If we can prove that your injury was caused by negligence, we may be able to obtain compensation.

Contact an Experienced Portland Motorcycle Accident Attorney

When motorcycle accidents occur, the results can be particularly serious. Accidents involving motorcycles can often be difficult to litigate due to the negative bias that many people have towards riders. This is why motorcycle accident victims often find it helpful to obtain the assistance of a knowledgeable lawyer who can aggressively pursue favorable compensation.

At Rizk Law, we regularly handle cases involving traffic accidents and a wide variety of injuries. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, we will take on the negligent driver’s insurance company and pursue litigation if necessary to protect your right to fair compensation for your injuries.

Our Portland motorcycle accident attorneys take cases on contingency so your consultation is absolutely free and you will not be charged legal fees unless you receive compensation.

Contact us at 503.245.5677 to schedule your free case evaluation today.