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Motorcycle Crash? When You Need A Motorcycle Accident Attorney In Oregon

Did you know that about 67% of multiple-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles occur when the other driver has violated the biker’s right-of-way? If you are a biker who has been hurt or injured in an accident or a family member of someone who has been severely injured or killed, you may have questions about your rights and whether you need a motorcycle accident attorney.

We have put together this short guide to motorcycle accidents and how we can help you in the aftermath. If you would like to discuss the details of your situation, please give us a call today. We are Oregon’s motorcycle accident lawyers.

  1. What are common motorcycle accident injuries?

Helmets go a long way in preventing or reducing your risk of injury to your head or face. In Oregon, motorcyclists are required to wear helmets and may be liable for their passenger wearing a helmet. 

Common motorcycle injuries include:

  • Lumbosacral, thoracic, and cervical strains and sprains
  • Shoulder, elbow, and wrist strains and sprains
  • Hip knee, and ankle strains and sprains
  • Hand, finger, foot, and toe strains and sprains
  • Road rash
  • Fractured ribs
  • Fractured sternum
  • Fractured clavicle (collar bone)
  • Fractured leg bones of the tibia, fibula, and femur
  • Fractured arm bones of the ulna, radius, and humerus
  • Fractured hip and pelvis
  • Fractured vertebrae
  • Herniated or slipped disks 
  • Closed head injuries, including concussions and intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding on or around the brain)
  • Death

This is not a comprehensive list and every situation is different. Additional injuries may not be as apparent, such as subsequent health and mental health problems caused by your accident. Some injuries take years before you recover and in some cases, you may never be restored to full health. That’s why a motorcycle accident attorney is necessary to help you recover damages to assist you with your medical care needs.

  1. What should you do immediately after a motorcycle accident?

The trauma of an accident can make it difficult to remember all the things you should do when you’ve been involved in a crash. Your first priority, however, is getting medical care for any injuries of those involved in the accident and calling the police.

The police will help you fill out and make an accident report to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you are able to, do the following:

  • Obtain contact information from other drivers
  • Speak to witnesses
  • Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and your injuries
  • Call a motorcycle accident attorney at Youd Law at 503-399-8967

Before you ride, it’s best to let your family be aware of your wishes in case you ever are in an accident. Make sure they have our number to call should you ever be in the unfortunate situation of not being able to call or speak for yourself. 

  1. I wasn’t wearing a helmet in a motorcycle accident. Can I still recover damages?

Yes, you can still recover damages for your motorcycle accident injuries, even if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Your compensation, however, may be reduced based upon theories of comparative negligence.

In Oregon, the wearing of a motorcycle helmet is required by law and is an important safety measure to prevent what can be serious injuries. Motorcycle helmets, of course, do not prevent all injuries and deaths. 

Recovery for injuries that could not have been prevented by the wearing of a helmet, such as fractures, bruising, road rash, amputations, severe lacerations to feet, legs, chest, arms and hands, is not limited by the fact that a helmet was not being worn. It may even be possible to recover for brain injuries, if your lawyer can prove that a helmet would not have prevented the injury you sustained.

  1. What are the different types of motorcycle accident cases you deal with at Youd Law?

Our motorcycle accident attorneys are experienced in several types of personal injury cases involving motorcycle crashes. The most common types of crashes that we have successfully litigated are:

  • Lack of visibility
  • Head-on collisions
  • Left-hand turns
  • Speeding
  • Lane splitting
  • Rear-end collisions
  • High performance
  • Aggressive drivers

Regardless of whether you were at fault or not, you will need an experienced Oregon motorcycle lawyer to assist you with your case. 

  1. Who will pay for the medical bills?

In Oregon, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is optional on motorcycle insurance policies. Youd Law recommends that you purchase and maintain PIP coverage on your motorcycle insurance policy. If you have PIP coverage, your insurance company will cover all of your medical bills up to the limit of your policy (frequently $15,000.00 for up to two years in time). 

It will not matter who was at fault for the accident, your company will cover the medical bills. If you do not have PIP coverage and are riding the motorcycle for personal purposes, typically your health insurance will cover the medical bills. 

If you are on the job at the time of the injury, typically your worker’s compensation insurer will cover the medical bills. If another party was at fault for your injuries, ultimately that party and their insurance company will be responsible for the medical bills. 

Your PIP coverage, health insurance, or worker’s compensation insurance will cover the medical bills first and be reimbursed by the at fault driver’s insurance when the case against the at fault driver is being resolved.

  1. Is my motorcycle accident worth pursuing?

You should speak to a motorcycle accident attorney at Youd Law to determine whether your motorcycle accident claim is worth pursuing. Without the assistance of an expert, it would be very difficult to determine whether your case is worth pursuing. Many of our clients have been pleasantly surprised to find out that they actually had a very good motorcycle accident injury claim.

Your initial consultation with us is free. We will listen to the details of your case and advise you on how to best proceed. 

  1. What is my motorcycle accident worth?

The value of your claim will depend upon a number of factors, including issues of liability (who was at fault for the accident), damage to the motorcycle, specific injuries incurred, whether you were hospitalized, the length of treatment, the cost of treatment, complications during treatment, and permanency of the injuries. It is not possible to predict the value of your claim until you have obtained medical care and have made a significant movement toward becoming medically stationary (recovering).

  1. If I am involved in a motorcycle accident should I get a motorcycle accident lawyer?

Yes, you should obtain the assistance of an experienced Oregon motorcycle accident attorney, as soon as possible. The earlier you obtain the advice of an attorney, the better off you will be. 

A motorcycle accident lawyer can provide advice on how to best protect your rights to recover for property damage to your motorcycle and other personal property, obtain appropriate medical care, recover for medical expenses, recover for lost wage, and recover for all of the pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life and function being endured and that may be endured well into the future.

  1. How much does a motorcycle attorney cost? 

Motorcycle accident attorneys almost always charge on a contingent fee basis. This means that they will not be paid until your case is won and you have recovered compensation for your injuries. They will be paid a percentage of your recovery. 

They will also typically be willing to front the costs of handling the claim and litigation, if necessary, and recover those costs when the case is won and you have recovered compensation for your injuries. You will not have to pay any money upfront.

Have More Questions About Your Motorcycle Accident? Call Us At Youd Law Today!

We understand you have been through a traumatic experience. Find peace of mind and let our experienced Oregon motorcycle accident lawyers handle your claim. We’re here to help you.

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