Lake Oswego Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Getting to the Root Cause of an Oregon Motorcycle Accident

Motorcyclists often get a bum rap from the press and the general public. There is still a perception that riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous and the people who operate them are more reckless than the driver of a car or truck. But nothing could be further from the truth.

All motorcyclists in Oregon must obtain a valid motorcycle endorsement. In Oregon, this endorsement requires completion of a state-approved motorcycle education course. So anyone who legally operates a motorcycle in and around Lake Oswego must comprehend and follow the same rules of the road as any other driver.

The reality is that a motorcyclist is far more likely to be the victim of another driver’s negligence than vice versa. Many motorcycle accidents are simply the result of a car or truck operator not paying attention. Some of the more common factors in these motorcycle accidents include:

• Not Keeping a Proper Lookout: Motorcycles can rapidly travel in and out of another vehicle’s “blind spot,” so all motorists need to be aware of their surroundings and keep a proper lookout for motorcycles at all times.
• Driving While Distracted: Drivers often fail to look out for motorcycles because they are distracted by something else, such as their smartphone, fiddling with the controls inside of their vehicle, or talking to their passengers.
• Aggressive Driving: Too many motorists take an unnecessary–and illegal–aggressive posture towards motorcycles. This often forces the motorcyclist to engage in dangerous maneuvers that inevitably lead to a crash.
• Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in Oregon for a reason. Any impairment of a driver’s function reduces their reaction time, which significantly increases the likelihood of a collision with another vehicle, particularly a motorcycle that is relatively small.

Beyond driver negligence, some other potential causes of a motorcycle accident are:

• Dangerous Road Conditions: Motorcycles are susceptible to any defects in the road, such as potholes or large cracks. State and local governments may be liable in certain cases for failing to maintain their roadways and creating the conditions that lead to a motorcycle accident.
• Defective Motorcycles: A motorcycle is a complex vehicle with a lot of working parts. Any defect in the design, manufacture, or installation of any of those parts–or of the bike itself–may lead to a critical failure that injures the rider. Oregon product liability laws may hold various businesses responsible in such cases.
• Defective Safety Gear: Similarly, if a motorcyclist suffers a serious injury despite wearing proper safety equipment, product liability laws may also cover the manufacturers or sellers of such items, such as a motorcycle helmet.

Your Right to Compensation Following an Oregon Motorcycle Accident

Catastrophic injuries are far more common in motorcycle accidents than in collisions only involving cars or trucks. Some of the more common types of injuries include:

• Back and Neck Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Crushed Limbs
• Internal Bleeding
• Internal Organ Damage
• Second- and Third-Degree Burns
• Spinal Cord Damage (paralysis)
• Road Rash (burns from friction with the roadway)
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (concussions)

If another party is legally at-fault for causing your motorcycle accident, you are entitled to full compensation for your injuries. This includes but is not limited to:

• Medical Bills: All of your past, present, and estimated future medical expenses. This covers the costs of your hospitalization, any surgeries you require, and any necessary outpatient treatment or rehabilitation.
• Lost Income: If you are unable to return to work following your motorcycle accident, you can seek damages to cover the wages, overtime, and other job-related benefits you would have otherwise earned. You can also seek compensation for your estimated loss of earning capacity–i.e., the reduction in your long-term ability to continue along your current career path.
• Non-Economic Damages: Not all damages come with a fixed dollar amount yet still represent a significant part of the losses you suffered in a motorcycle accident. For that reason, Oregon law allows you to seek what are considered “non-economic” damages to compensate you for your pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Attorney Lance D. Youd Is Here to Help You

Even when it seems clear that another driver or entity is responsible for causing your motorcycle accident, getting that party to admit fault and pay up is often not as simple as you would hope. That is why you should always work with a skilled Lake Oswego motorcycle accident attorney. Attorney Lance D. Youd had been helping accident victims for over three decades. Contact his office today at (503) 399-8967 to schedule a free case review.