Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Bend Oregon

We Are Dedicated to Helping Injured Cyclists Seek Justice and Fair Compensation for Their Serious Injuries

Cyclists face heightened dangers compared to most motorists on Oregon roads because of the relative lack of protection that the bicyclist has if they are ever in a traffic crash with other drivers. Even when the bicyclist takes all necessary safety precautions, it only takes a momentary lapse of judgment for a negligent party driving a car to strike the cyclist, potentially killing them or leaving them with life-altering injuries.

Oregon is often considered among the nation’s top five most bicycle-friendly states, but it is not without dangers for cyclists riding on our streets. Oregon bicyclists are tragically injured, maimed, or killed in traffic accidents every year. Disregarding traffic signals, failure to yield, and driver inattention are among the most common causes of bicycle accidents.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a bicycle crash, you must seek professional legal representation to help you pursue justice and the maximum compensation available for your case. Our legal team has decades of combined experience representing clients in complex personal injury cases, including those related to bicycle collisions. As your attorneys, we will serve your best interests throughout the legal process by investigating the crash, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and taking your case to trial if necessary.

What Should Bicyclists Do in the Immediate Aftermath of a Bike Accident?

If you have been in a bicycle accident, either involving other vehicles or as a solitary victim, you must attempt to remain calm and follow specific steps to ensure that your well-being is looked after and that your case remains strong. This can be difficult to do, especially if you are in severe pain. However, failure to take certain steps after a bike crash could endanger your health and weaken your case in the eyes of the insurance company.

Immediately after the bicycle crash, you should call 911 to summon law enforcement and emergency first responders. When the police arrive at the accident scene, provide them with a detailed account of what happened, and then ask for their official police report afterward.

At the scene of the crash, take photos or videos of your visible injuries, any automobile involved in the crash, debris on the road, the state of your bicycle, and anything else relevant to the cause of the accident. If there were any eyewitnesses to the crash, ask for their contact information, as they may be called upon as witnesses to provide testimony at a later date.

You will want to exchange contact and insurance information with the other party involved in the incident. While you should attempt to remain polite and respectful during any dialogue with the other driver, you must never go so far as to diminish the severity of your injuries or admit any level of fault.

If insurance adjusters arrive on the scene, you do not need to speak with them. Insurance adjusters may present themselves as sympathetic to your pain and suffering, but they are only there to find ways to save money for the insurance company. Instead of speaking to the insurance representative, please direct them to contact your personal injury attorney. If you have not done so already, now would be the time to contact our Central Oregon law firm to discuss the benefits of retaining our services for your legal representation.

What Are Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?

Cyclists are uniquely vulnerable to serious and even catastrophic injuries in accidents with far larger motor vehicles.

Common injuries associated with bicyclists in traffic collisions include the following:

Traumatic brain injuries
Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
Broken bones and fractures
Concussions
Back and neck injuries, including whiplash
Vision or hearing loss
Road rash
Dental injuries
Facial disfigurement
Deep cuts and heavy bruising
Loss of limbs and forced amputations
Dislocated joints
Spinal cord injuries
Crushing injuries
Degloving injuries
Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other psychological trauma
Complete or partial paralysis
Loss of bodily function
Wrongful death

Many bicycle accident injuries require long-term medical care, including the necessity for rehabilitation and physical therapy. Because of this, long-term care and associated medical expenses can be very costly. If another party’s negligence led to the accident, the bicyclist should not be the party responsible for expensive medical bills and other expenses. Our personal injury lawyers will consider all legal options to help you get the financial recovery you deserve and require.

What Could Happen to Your Insurance Claim if You Decide Not to Seek Medical Attention After a Bike Crash?

You want to get proper medical treatment from professionals, even if you believe you’ve suffered only minor injuries. Your medical conditions could worsen without appropriate treatment.

Failure to get professional medical care after a serious accident can also reflect poorly on your insurance claim. The insurance company may point out that you did not seek medical attention as evidence that your injuries were relatively minor and undeserving of maximum compensation.

What Are Some of the Most Common Causes of Serious Bicycle Accidents in Bend, OR?

Among the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Oregon are the following:

Drunk drivers
Parked cars opening their doors in bike lanes
Tailgating or following too closely behind a cyclist
Bicyclists disappearing into a driver’s blind spots
Distracted driving, including texting while driving
Speeding
Disobeying Oregon traffic laws
Adverse weather conditions
Failure to yield the right of way
Driving under the influence of marijuana or other drugs
Poorly maintained roads and pathways
Failing to provide cyclists with adequate space, risking sideswipes

If another party was responsible for your accident and injuries, you should not be the one responsible for medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses. As your legal representatives, we will do everything we can to ensure that the insurance company or the at-fault party themselves pays what they owe.

Do You Need Legal Support from an Experienced Bike Accident Lawyer?

A bike crash involving a far larger and heavier motor vehicle often results in serious injuries befalling the bicyclist. To ensure that your rights are protected and to help secure fair financial compensation for your personal injury case, we recommend seeking professional legal counsel from experienced attorneys well-versed in these practice areas.

As your legal representation, our personal injury lawyers will explore all options to help you secure a fair settlement that looks after your financial future so that you can move on with your life after this traumatic incident. A successful insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit can recover compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, other out-of-pocket costs, wrongful death damages, and more.

Contact Our Law Firm to Schedule Your Initial Consultation with Our Oregon Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today

Those still recovering from significant injuries following a bike crash should not have to worry about negotiating with insurance companies or other legal issues related to their accident. Our legal team stands ready to represent your rights and help you seek a favorable outcome in your personal injury case.

Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers proudly serve clients in Jackson, Jefferson, Crook, and Deschutes counties. To learn more about the benefits of retaining our legal services, please get in touch with our law office to schedule your no-obligation case evaluation today.

You can reach our staff using our website’s contact form or by calling us at (541) 546-1713.