distracted driving

No one wakes up thinking they will be in a car accident.

There are, though, countless instances in which people make careless decisions that cause serious accidents, which cause injury or death across the country every day. Drivers who drive distractedly often cause car accidents that can have far-reaching consequences.

A distracted driver accident may result in injury or death, and if so, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

The attorneys at Rizk Law offer professional personal injury services in Portland and want to represent you throughout your claims process. Regardless of how severe or minor your accident was, it is vital that you contact Rizk Law immediately after discovering you’ve been hurt.

Contact us today at 503.852.5761 to find out how we can help you.

Our Portland Office

Visit Rizk Law at 434 South Iowa Street, Portland, OR 97239, in the Johns Landing neighborhood. Our office is conveniently located just south of Downtown Portland, with easy access from I-5 and SW Macadam Avenue.

We regularly assist clients throughout Multnomah County, including those whose injury claims require negotiations with insurers or, when necessary, litigation through the local court system.

 

Meet Our Senior Lawyer

Richard Rizk: Senior Attorney & Founder

Richard Rizk

Richard has called Portland home since moving here to attend Lewis & Clark Law School in 1985.

Before founding Rizk Law, Richard Rizk represented insurance companies, giving him valuable insight into how they handle distracted driving and other car accident claims. He later served as Portland’s Delegate to the Oregon State Bar, advocating on issues affecting Oregon’s legal community.

Having survived a serious motor vehicle crash as a teenager, Richard brings both personal perspective and 30+ years of legal experience to helping injury victims get justice.

 

Recent Case Results

$240,000 Settlement for a Car Rear-ended by a Police Vehicle.

Client, a seat-belted passenger, suffered a brain injury, headaches, vision problems, and lumbar disc herniations.

$900,000 Settlement for a Car T-boned by a Delivery Truck

The delivery driver was cited for distracted and careless driving. Client suffered a compound left arm fracture, chest pain, neck and back sprains, and shoulder and knee injuries.

$166,461 Settlement for a Rear-end Car crash Caused by an Underinsured Driver

PIP initially denied the claim, labeling it a minor impact.

After a lawsuit, an ERISA lien of $50,000 was paid, along with $5,000 in attorney fees and $1,461.50 in wage loss. Third-party settlement was $50,000 and UIM settlement was $110,000.

 

See What our Clients are Saying

More than 80 Google Reviews

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jaqueline and the team did an awesome job with my insurance claim after a pretty bad car wreck.

They were very knowledgeable and took care of everything from start to finish. They maximized my settlement and Took all of the stress and worry off me and were very very thorough. I Will definitely refer any of my friends and family that need any help like this in the future. Thank you again.

– TheWesthammat

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alex Pletch and the Rizk Law Team recently represented me in a David and Goliath battle with auto-insurance companies and we won! Setting a precedent for Oregon.

They went above and beyond the original court case, fighting for me to receive the second year of PIP for an accident that created life-changing injuries.

Now accident-survivors in Oregon will no longer be denied their second year of PIP. It’s still sinking in how big this is for so many people moving forward. Thank you to Richard Rizk, Alex Pletch, and the Rizk Law Team!

– Katina Andoniadis 

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I would highly recommend Rizk Law to anyone. Both Richard Rizk and Sam Pope helped me with my personal injury case due to a not-at-fault car accident, and I could not be happier with the turn out. They both made sure that I was 100% before they talked about closing the case.
The team followed up regularly, and they made sure that I was taken care. Car accidents are a lot to deal with, and with this team, it was a lot easier! Thank you so much!

– Angela Dyan

 

Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents in Portland

Distracted driving is among Portland’s leading causes of auto accidents.

Despite what many people believe, distractions can occur for a variety of reasons, all of which are dangerous to the driver, passenger vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Distracted driving is most commonly associated with:

  • Consumption of food while driving
  • Driving while adjusting car controls
  • Tending to passengers, such as a child

Any time a driver takes their eyes off the road for an extended period of time is considered distracted driving. While distracted driving is generally unintentional, it is still considered a negligent act.

In Portland, these types of distractions can be especially dangerous on busy roadways where drivers must navigate heavy traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, and frequent stops. Major routes such as I-5, I-405, and I-84, along with busy downtown streets, require drivers to remain attentive at all times.

 

Injuries You May Suffer in a Distracted Driving Accident

More than 5,000 accidents are caused each year by distracted driving in the United States. According to the CDC, distracted driving caused 2,800 deaths and an estimated 400,000 injuries in the United States in 2018. The following injuries can happen as a result of distracted driving:

  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations
  • Burns
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Whiplash

Those who suffer serious injuries in distracted driving accidents often must undergo surgery, resulting in longer rehabilitation and recovery periods. In most cases, the cost of these procedures and treatments is out of reach for most people.

 

Recoverable Damages in Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving has the potential to be a deadly accident. If you have been injured, do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Rizk Law.

We know how to build a solid case for settlement when it comes to car accidents in Portland. Our injury attorneys have worked with insurance companies and know how to use such knowledge to achieve a satisfactory resolution for our clients.

Through the course of our practice, we have helped thousands of people recover millions of dollars in settlements and awards relating to:

  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Medical equipment
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning potential
  • Mental anguish
  • Pain and suffering

It’s crucial to share all the details of your distracted driving case with an attorney after you hire one to represent you.

At Rizk Law, we prioritize providing individualized attention to all our clients. We sincerely care about your well-being and are here to help you obtain the best legal representation in Portland when you have been injured due to a distracted driver.

 

Proving Fault in Your Distracted Driving Case

As the plaintiff, it is possible to prove the defendant was distracted in some way at the time of the accident.

For instance, your lawyer may refer to witness statements or video surveillance. Your lawyer may also look into the at-fault driver’s telephone records to find out whether they called or texted at the time of the accident.

Bringing a lawsuit in Oregon can be a bit tricky due to Oregon’s no-fault car insurance laws. In addition, an injured party must prove that the accident was a “substantial factor” leading to the need for treatment.

Even so, you may be able to recover compensation for damages incurred in your accident if a distracted driver was to blame. Based on the facts of your case, a knowledgeable Portland distracted driving accident attorney will determine what legal strategy is best for your case.

If you hire our Portland personal injury lawyers to represent you after you were hit by a distracted driver, we will:

  • Communicate on your behalf with the other party and their attorney
  • Guide you through your legal options
  • Give you professional legal counsel during your case
  • Find evidence that might be helpful in your car accident case
  • Perform a comprehensive investigation into your car accident
  • Answer any questions you might have about the claims process
  • Analyze your crash and the damage it caused
  • Complete and file your legal paperwork
  • Negotiate a settlement with the other party’s insurer
  • Assist you with litigation if required

The Portland personal injury lawyers at Rizk Law have been fighting for the rights of Oregonians for years after being involved in collisions with distracted drivers.

You can expect the same treatment from us. If you would like a free consultation with one of our professionals, simply give us a call or get in touch with us online.