Portland Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer

Riding through the Pacific Northwest is a popular part of life in Oregon.

But it only takes one distracted driver changing lanes without checking a blind spot to turn a routine ride into a devastating collision.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be facing extensive medical treatment, mounting medical bills, lost income, and a difficult recovery. You may also have to deal with insurance companies while trying to determine who was responsible and what compensation you may be entitled to receive.

You shouldn’t have to handle the aftermath of a serious motorcycle accident alone.

At Rizk Law, our Portland motorcycle accident lawyers can investigate your crash, gather evidence, establish liability, deal with insurance companies, and pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Call  (503) 245-5677 or visit our Portland office for a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.

Our office is located at 434 South Iowa Street, Portland, OR 97239.

We are in South Portland’s Johns Landing neighborhood, just off SW Macadam Avenue and minutes from Downtown Portland, I-5, and the Ross Island Bridge.

 

Meet Our Senior Lawyer

Richard Rizk

Richard has called Portland home since attending Lewis & Clark Law School in 1985.

With 30+ years of legal experience, he previously represented insurance companies, giving him firsthand insight into how insurers evaluate and defend accident claims.

Having served as a Portland Delegate to the Oregon State Bar and survived a serious motor vehicle crash, Richard brings both legal and personal perspective to representing injured motorcycle accident victims.

 

 

See What our Clients are Saying

More than 80 Google Reviews

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m truly grateful for Rizk Law, especially Jacqueline, who was incredibly helpful and approachable. They kept checking on me throughout my treatment journey and patiently explained everything step by step. I’m really glad I chose them. Thank you so much, Jacqueline!

– Nada Taha

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Just received my settlement and I am very pleased with Rizk Law. Jacqueline worked my case and she was amazing. Kind and very knowledgeable! Thank you Rizk Law team.

– Sarah

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I had my first two accidents happen in one week. Neither of them were my fault. Thankfully I ran across Rizk law by reading the reviews. I’m very happy I went with them. Kyle and Alex were caring, experienced, straightforward and supportive people to work with. Thanks to them I feel very good about the outcome and I would recommend Rizk law to anyone who has been injured in a collision.

– Samantha Boulet

 

Why Choose Rizk Law?

The aftermath of a motorcycle wreck is a confusing and sometimes very stressful time.

You are likely dealing with physical pain, frequent medical appointments, and anxiety about your finances. Considering everything else you are going through, taking legal action against the driver who caused your accident may sound like an overwhelming amount of work.

Thankfully, you do not have to go through this process alone. Our experienced motorcycle accident law firm can help.

Richard Rizk, founder of Rizk Law, has insider knowledge and experience into how insurers handle motor vehicle accident and personal injury claims.

As a former injury claims defense attorney for national insurers — including for Oregon’s largest workers’ compensation insurance company — Richard knows the tactics they use. Such insight allows him to stay a step ahead of insurers and compel them to pay accident victims the compensation they deserve.

Rizk Law brings years of experience to our work on behalf of injured Oregon motorcyclists. We will handle every aspect of the legal process for you so you can focus on your health.

You do not have to worry about filling out paperwork, meeting deadlines, or communicating with insurance companies. We will take care of all of this for you and keep you informed every step of the way.

 

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

The actions you take after a crash can affect the outcome of your motorcycle accident claim. For this reason, you want to do everything possible to safeguard your rights and avoid doing anything that might jeopardize your ability to recover compensation.

Some key things to do after a motorcycle accident include:

• Calling the police from the accident scene to establish an official record of the collision
• Seeking medical treatment right away, follow all instructions, attend all appointments, and keep all records related to your medical care
• Reporting the accident to your insurance company, taking care to avoid saying anything they might interpret as an admission of fault
• Contact a Portland motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your options

Seeking legal assistance as soon as possible following a motorcycle accident puts you in the best position to move forward, knowing someone is looking out for your rights.

 

How We Investigate Portland Motorcycle Accident Cases

Rizk Law takes the process of preparing your claim very seriously. That is why we prioritize the gathering and evaluation of evidence related to your motorcycle accident.

Some of the evidence we will pursue includes:

• Physical evidence from the accident scene
• Photographs of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, the surroundings, your injuries, etc.
• Eyewitness testimony from anyone who saw the accident and any events leading up to it
• Surveillance and dashcam footage, if available
• Additional data and records in cases involving commercial trucks
• Medical records

Additionally, we may consult with accident, medical, and occupational experts to better understand the facts of the accident, the nature and severity of your injuries, and how they may affect your life in the future.

 

Compensation You Could Recover in a Portland Motorcycle Accident Claim

Many factors go into determining motorcycle accident compensation.

The primary factors are the extent of your injuries, the amount of medical treatment they require, and the impact of the accident on your ability to work.

Your attorney may pursue compensation on your behalf for a variety of expenses and losses, including:

• Medical expenses, including anticipated future expenses
• Lost income, including loss of future earning potential
• Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
• Physical and psychological pain and suffering

Your attorney will calculate compensation by tallying your medical expenses and any incidental expenses arising from the accident. They will also factor in any intangible losses to arrive at a figure that represents fair compensation for your losses.

 

Parties Who Could Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Wreck in Portland

In most motorcycle accident cases, a motor vehicle driver will be liable for any resulting injuries.

But other parties may also be involved, including:

• Additional drivers, if the accident involved multiple vehicles
• In cases involving commercial vehicles, potentially a combination of the vehicle’s driver, owner, mechanic, cargo loader, and other parties
• The manufacturer of the motorcycle, its parts, or another vehicle
• Parties responsible for maintaining the roads

Your attorney’s goal in collecting and evaluating all the evidence from your accident is to identify all liable parties in your motorcycle accident case.

This makes it easier to pursue compensation from everyone who was responsible, even if their role in causing the accident was not immediately apparent.

 

Could You Recover Compensation if You Are Partly to Blame for a Motorcycle Accident?

Oregon has a modified comparative negligence standard that applies in motor vehicle accident cases.

If you were partly responsible for the motorcycle crash, you may still be able to recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible.

In this situation, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

 

Common Types and Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Portland

There are many different types of motorcycle accidents. Some of the most common include:

These and other types of motorcycle accidents often result from other drivers’ negligence.

Accidents can result when drivers fail to watch out for motorcyclists while turning, merging, and switching lanes, or when parked motorists do not look before opening their doors into traffic.

Motorcycle accidents have many potential causes, most of which also come down to negligence on the part of other drivers.

Cars, big-rig truck drivers, and delivery truck drivers who are speeding, distracted, driving while impaired, engaging in aggressive behaviors, tailgating, and failing to follow traffic laws are most likely to hit and injure motorcyclists.

Road and weather conditions can also contribute to motorcycle accidents.

 

Typical Injuries Resulting from a Motorcycle Collision

Due to their exposure and vulnerability, motorcyclists often suffer catastrophic injuries when drivers hit them.

A collision can easily cause a motorcyclist to be ejected from their bike, potentially sending them into the path of another moving vehicle or into a stationary object. Motorcyclists can also be run over by the vehicles that hit them.

Some of the typical injuries motorcyclists suffer in accidents include:

These and other injuries can require extensive medical treatment, including emergency transportation, life-saving measures, surgery, medications, physical therapy, rehab, and more.

The cost associated with this treatment can be considerable.

If you are unable to work, even temporarily, as a result of an accident, you can find yourself experiencing significant financial anxiety.

A motorcycle accident attorney from Rizk Law can help you seek compensation for all medical expenses resulting from the accident.

 

How a Motorcycle Accident Differs from a Car Accident

Motorcycle accidents differ from car accidents in several critical ways.

First and foremost, they are more likely to result in severe or fatal injuries simply because riders do not have the protection afforded by cars.

Even if you are wearing a helmet and protective gear, you do not have a seat belt to restrain you, and your body is more likely to experience multiple direct impacts.

This can result in motorcycle accident injuries requiring far greater expense to treat.

Another important difference between motorcycle and car accidents involves the ways in which they occur.

Motorcycle accidents are often the result of drivers failing to notice or look out for motorcyclists. It is also harder for motorcyclists to maintain control of their bikes when accidents occur, which can increase the likelihood of severe injuries.

 

How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Oregon?

Oregon’s statute of limitations places a two-year deadline on a motorcycle accident lawsuit.

This means you have two years from the accident date to file your lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries and other losses.

While two years may seem like a long time, contacting a Portland motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible is important to initiate legal proceedings. It takes time to prepare a case, and some evidence may be more challenging to access if too much time has passed.