Oregon Bicycle Accident Lawyer

With the bicycle scene dominating Oregon, cyclists experience an increased risk of accident or collision with a motor vehicle. In 2012 alone there was a 10% increase in the number of bike accidents involving cars, trucks, or other motor vehicles. When you or someone close to you is involved in a bike accident, the physics of the crash—car accident versus bike—often means the injuries are severe.

When this happens, you need to talk to an Oregon bicycle accident attorney immediately.

Galm Law handles these serious cases, and is committed to ensuring every client receives the personal care and attention that their case deserves. We handle the legal side of recovery, which allows you to deal with the emotional and physical side of recovery after a bicycle accident.

6 Steps to Take if You are Involved in an Oregon Bike Accident:

1. Call the Police to Create a Bicycle Accident Report

This fact alone cannot be overstated, no matter how mild you think the bicycle accident may be. If a police report is filed based on information given at the accident scene, the other parties or witnesses cannot change that story later on if you need to fight insurance companies. Often the driver at fault will try to talk you out of calling the police–don’t listen. It will only hurt any potential case later on.

2. Obtain the At-Fault Driver’s Information

Obtain the driver’s information, including license number, insurance company, address, phone and plate number. If there are witnesses to the bicycle accident, get their information too.

3. Do Not Admit Fault or Minimize Your Injuries

Sometimes to avoid confrontation, victims of a bike accident will admit fault to some degree or downplay injuries. Don’t. Your behavior will be used against you later on when you try to obtain fair compensation for your bicycle accident injuries.

4. Write Down Any and All Details for Your Bicycle Accident Claim

Soon after the bicycle accident, write down any details you can remember to help you later on. Sometimes, it can be years before a suit is filed, and by that time, your memory may be stale. Record all details–including time of day, road conditions, what safety gear you were wearing, traffic, and the day of the week.

5. Treat Your Injuries Immediately After the Bike Crash

If you are hurt in a bicycle accident, go see a doctor immediately. Do not downplay any serious injuries–you may actually make your injuries worse by not treating them. You also make yourself vulnerable to questions from insurance companies such as, “Why you did not get treated sooner if you were really hurt?” or “Are your injuries really related to the accident?”

Our Oregon bicycle accident attorney can make referrals to certain medical providers at Tuality Healthcare, Providence, Legacy, Kaiser or elsewhere.

6.  Open an Insurance Claim and Begin Your Bicycle Accident Case

Just because you got hit on your bike does not mean car insurance will not cover medical bills or lost wages. In fact, under Oregon law, ORS 742.522-24, every car insurance policy must contain no fault personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $15,000 for medical expenses, as well as pay lost wages during the first year after the accident. If you do not have car insurance, the at-fault driver’s car insurance may actually pay PIP for you.

Bike accidents are often serious, even fatal. The laws and insurance regulations surrounding these accidents are complicated.

The longer you wait to call a bicycle accident lawyer in Oregon, the more money and benefits you may be missing out on.  A lawyer with the experience, intelligence and skill, like Paul Galm, will make sure that does not happen.

Paul will listen to your story and advocate on your behalf. You will talk and meet directly with him and not a junior associate. Call our law firm to speak with Paul directly today.

Case Example:

Paul recently had a bike accident case where his client was hit by a car turning left as the client was crossing the intersection from the opposite direction. Sadly, his client suffered a traumatic brain injury and did not remember a single fact from the accident. The only witness was the driver, who, of course, claimed the client was at fault. Using local and state bike laws, an accident reconstructionist expert, and aggressive cross-examination of the driver, Paul was still able to recreate how the bicycle accident happened anyway.

He successfully proved the motor vehicle driver was at fault.

Paul’s client went from getting nothing to being compensated for their medical costs, property costs and pain and suffering.

Contact Our Oregon Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one are the victim of a bike crash, do not hesitate to reach out to our law firm today. Our bicycle accident attorney will work to recover fair and just compensation for you, no matter what.