If You Were Hurt in an Oregon Motorcycle Crash, Call Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Portland for Help
Motorcycles are one of the most thrilling types of vehicles, but they are also one of the most dangerous. According to statistics, each year in the United States almost 6,000 motorcyclists die in traffic accidents. This equates to almost 15% of all traffic facilities, although motorcycles account for only 3% of all registered vehicles. In addition to these fatalities, thousands of riders are seriously injured and often suffer permanent, disabling, and life-changing damages. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Portland can help victims and their families recover compensation for these personal injuries or for the wrongful death of a loved one, including for conscious pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Here at the Manners Law Firm, we know that most defendants and their insurance companies will often blame motorcyclists for their personal injuries. Some will even refuse to pay valid claims or offer nominal compensation. Unfortunately, this relates to many unfair stereotypes and biases that victims and their counsel will need to overcome in order to recover the compensation that motorcycle accident victims deserve. This is why it is critical that victims hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Portland like ours, who will not let defense attorneys and insurance adjusters protect dangerous drivers who could hurt others. To learn more about how our legal team can fight back to protect your rights, contact us today by dialing 503-468-7937 to schedule a free consultation.
Common Causes of Oregon Motorcycle Accidents
Nearly all motorcycle accident cases are based on a claim of negligence. Under Oregon law, defendants involved in a crash are negligent when they fail to use reasonable care under the circumstances in the use or operation of a motor vehicle. This means that a defendant created an unreasonable, reckless, or otherwise careless risk of injury to another and did cause such an injury.
There are many ways that a defendant could cause a serious or fatal motorcycle accident in Oregon, including the following:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Improper lane changes
- Drugged driving
- Following too closely
- Improper lane changes
- Fatigued driving
- Failing to check blind spots
- Mechanical defects
- Distracted driving
- Road rage
- Failing to yield or running a red light, and
- Many other common causes that could result in an Oregon motorcycle accident.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Was Partially At Fault for My Motorcycle Accident in Oregon?
Yes, even if you believe that you may have been partially at fault for your motorcycle accident, you may still be entitled to compensation. Oregon follows what is known as a modified comparative fault statute, which means that a victim’s comparative fault will proportionally reduce his or her total recovery. For example, if a victim was awarded $100,000 for his or her motorcycle accident but was found to be 20% at fault, it is likely that the total awarded will be reduced to $80,000.
This is an important concept in motorcycle accident cases, where most riders are blamed for their crash. Thus, the law can help ensure that riders will still be able to recover compensation for their injuries. However, it is important to realize that victims will only be allowed to recover compensation as long as their comparative fault is 50% or less. Therefore, in addition to arguing that you are entitled to less compensation, defense attorneys and adjusters will argue that whatever compensation you are entitled to should be reduced by a larger number. This is why it is imperative for victims and their families to fight back to protect their rights against overreaching and unfair defense lawyers and insurance carriers.
Were You Injured in an Oregon Motorcycle Accident? Call Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Portland to Fight Back Today
Victims of motorcycle accidents often face significant personal injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, broken bones, and other life-changing injuries. Unfortunately, many riders will also be fatally injured in a crash, resulting in significant emergency medical bills and lost financial income for a family. The sad truth is that the majority of all motorcycle accidents in Oregon are completely avoided if a defendant was not acting negligently.
At the Manners Law Firm, our compassionate legal team and dedicated motorcycle accident lawyer can help you and your family fight back to recover the compensation that you deserve. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a motorcycle crash, call to schedule your free case evaluation with our motorcycle accident lawyer in Portland by calling 503-468-7937 or by sending us a message through our contact us box.