Motorcycle Accidents in Oregon
Motorcycle accidents tend to cause some of the most serious types of injuries that can occur in a collision. Even though Oregon law requires all motorcyclists to wear a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet, the impact during an accident with other vehicles is often severe. Other than a helmet, motorcyclists don’t have many other pieces of protection that can drastically help them in an accident. For this reason, motorcyclists will need financial support for their often-severe injuries after an accident. When the accident was the result of someone else’s negligence, there are various legal options that can help a motorcyclist seek compensation for all accident-related losses.
In this blog, we will cover common motorcycle accidents and injuries, Oregon motorcycle laws and the value of a personal injury attorney to ensure the proper compensation is awarded for any sustained injuries.
How Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Occur?
Even though a motorcycle accident can happen due to a variety of circumstances, there are some very common situations that we have seen over the years. Here are some of those scenarios:
- Intersections are the most common place for motorcycle accidents. For example, we have seen a motorcyclist crash into another motorcyclist who was also trying to turn left at an intersection.
- A driver fails to check his or her blind spot on the highway.
- A vehicle follows too closely behind a motorcyclist.
- Poor road conditions are also common culprits. Potholes and uneven surfaces often cause motorcycle accidents.
- Debris left in the road can also cause a serious motorcycle accident.
Common Injuries For Motorcyclists
Any kind of injury can occur during an accident. However, our firm has seen a common occurrence in the type of injuries that motorcyclists most often sustain. Keep in mind, there are no airbags, seatbelts or even the outside structuring of a car to protect a motorcyclist.
Here some of the life-threatening injuries that we most commonly see in motorcyclists:
- Organ damage (often internal bleeding)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial fractures
- Broken bones (often collarbone and ribs)
- Road rash and lacerations (often very severe)
- Compound leg bone fractures
- Amputations
Oregon Motorcycle Laws To Consider
Every state has their own set of laws in regards to riding a motorcycle. If you were involved in an accident, you need a personal injury lawyer who can help you understand these laws. It’s important to know if any of these laws will apply to your particular situation. While it’s good to have this knowledge as a motorcyclist, it’s even more important to hire an experienced attorney who knows the ins and outs of these laws (and many more) so that you can be on the right path to justice.
Here are a handful of important Oregon laws to know:
- We mentioned this earlier, but it’s an important law to mention again: All Oregon motorcyclists must wear a DOT-compliant helmet. This rule applies to the rider and any passengers.
- The state of Oregon law prohibits lane-splitting, specifically ORS 814.240. Lane-splitting is when a bicycle or motorcycle rides between lanes or rows of slow moving or stopped traffic moving in the same direction.
- It is legal to pass on the shoulder for stopped or turning vehicles if there is adequate room for the vehicle/motorcycle to have all tires in contact with the pavement.
- To ride a motorcycle legally in Oregon, a person must have a valid driver’s license and motorcycle endorsement or instruction permit.
- According to Oregon Revised Statute 806.010, all riders must have motorcycle insurance at all
Get The Compensation You Deserve
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, it is essential that you go through the legal process to come away with the proper compensation to support your injuries. Many severe motorcycle injuries require long-term medical care that necessitates serious financial support.
If you or someone you know was injured in a motorcycle accident here in the state of Oregon, contact us today for a free case evaluation. You can also reach us directly at: 1-800-285-8678. Our team of highly skilled personal injury attorneys will do everything possible to make sure you receive the compensation that you deserve.