A bicycle accident can happen in a second, but the impacts may stay with you for the rest of your life. Bicycle accident victims suffer some of the worst injuries when they are in an accident. If you have been hurt, you likely have many questions about how you will pay for your medical expenses, and how you will recover the income you lost from being unable to go to work. Although there is no way to undo your injury, our Portland bicycle accident attorney can help you claim the compensation you need to make a full recovery.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Portland
There are more bicyclists per capita in Portland than any other major city in the country. Six percent of commuters in Portland use a bike to get to and from work, which also tops any other city in the nation. The amount of cyclists on the roads unfortunately means that bicycle accidents are common throughout Portland. The most common causes of these crashes are as follows:
- Negligent drivers: The vast majority of bicycle accidents in the city are caused by negligent drivers. Careless motorists who text while driving, speed, tailgate, drive under the influence, or fail to yield to bicyclists should be held liable for their negligent actions.
- Improper road conditions: The second most common cause of bicycle crashes is improper road conditions. These include conditions such as uneven road surfaces, a lack of bicycle lanes, lack of traffic signs and signals, and potholes.
- Crashes involving fixed objects: Fixed objects on the road, such as a sign that extends onto a bike path, can cause a bicycle accident. Dooring, which happens when a driver of a parked vehicle opens their door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, is also very common.
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