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Bicycle Accident Lawyer Portland, Oregon

At the Law Offices of Jon Friedman, our bicycle accident attorneys in Portland, Oregon understand these collisions can cause more than serious injuries, but life-changing harm. Anyone who rides a bicycle regularly knows just how exposed they are and how easy it is to get injured, especially after suffering from the impact of a much larger, heavier, and more forceful passenger vehicle.

Statistics provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation revealed a minority of bicycle accidents are caused by the riders themselves, but the majority, at least in part, is caused by negligent and careless drivers.

Last year there were 826 traffic collisions in Oregon involving bicycles and pedal cycles, with the leading cause recorded from drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to riders.

Bicycle collisions can occur when a motorist leaves little room between them and the cyclist or makes a sudden and unexpected left turn in front of a bicyclist. Bicyclists can even be hurt when colliding with a car door that is suddenly opened in front of them on a city street.

If you have been injured while riding your bike or have tragically lost a loved one in a bicycle collision, contact our experienced attorneys today to learn more about your legal options to pursue financial compensation from the negligent driver.

Bicycle Accident Attorney Portland

Inability to Share Common Road Space Can Cause Bicycle Accidents


While the attitude of society, in general, has improved over the last two decades towards bicyclists, there are still a minority of motorists that do not consider the rights of a cyclist when sharing the road. The danger of an encounter between any person who has this attitude and a cyclist who is rightfully riding alongside is apparent, as motorists with this sort of attitude are likely to try to force the cyclist off the road by driving too close or too fast.

Bicycle Accidents May Also Be Caused by Defective Designs


Though not as common as collisions caused by negligent drivers, some Portland bicycle accidents may be caused by the bike’s defective design. Normally these would be most apparent in a relatively new bicycle and, while the damage to the bicycle in an accident should be covered by the warranty, injuries suffered by the bicyclist may be recovered by filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the bicycle.

At the Law Offices of Jon Friedman, our Portland Personal Injury Attorneys Also Focus on the Following Practice Areas:

Cyclists are Particularly Vulnerable to Injuries in Portland


Federal statistics indicate that over a quarter of Americans ride a bicycle at some point, and despite bicycling only accounting for one percent of all vehicle journeys, these collisions amount to two percent of all traffic-related accidents each year.

Any cyclist, no matter how experienced they may be, is particularly vulnerable to collisions due to:

  • Poor maintenance of roads and pathways
  • Motor vehicle drivers passing too close to a cyclist
  • Other driver negligence, including distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving, and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Dog bites or another animal attack
  • Inclement weather such as icy roads, hail, snow, rain, fog, or wind

Because of the bicyclist’s vulnerable nature, their injuries are often significant or even life-threatening, including traumatic brain injuries, spine and neck injuries, and organ damage or internal bleeding, and may require long-term medical care and extended time away from work, which will immediately complicate their overall financial standing.

Any cyclist who has suffered injuries due to another driver’s negligence may be eligible to file a lawsuit to cover the damages to the bicycle itself, their medical expenses, lost income and/or future earning capacity, and the potential costs associated with the psychological and emotional suffering they experience from the crash.

Contact Our Experienced Portland Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today For A Free Consultation


If you have been involved in a bicycle accident where you were hit by a negligent driver, contact the Law Offices of Jonathan Friedman today to learn more about your legal rights to pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Our Portland personal injury attorneys will discuss your injuries and outline the facts behind your claim while answering any questions or concerns you have about the process by calling (503) 242-1440 for a free confidential assessment of your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions for Bicycle Accident in Portland

In Oregon do you have to wear a helmet if you are riding a bicycle?

Oregon law states that anyone under the age of 16 is required to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. Even though if you are over the age of 16 it is not legally required to wear a helmet, it is still strongly recommended.

What injuries are most common in a bicycle accident?

The most common injuries people suffer from bicycle accidents are: broken bones, bruising, head injuries, knee injuries, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, and in some cases death.

Could I be held partially at fault for the bicycle accident if I wasn’t in the bike lane at the time of the accident?

In Portland you are required to use bike lanes where they are available to you, but just because you were not in the bike lane at the time of the accident does not automatically deem you at fault for the accident. You may have needed to leave the bike lane due to poor conditions in the lane, you needed to make a turn, a car was parked in the bike lane, or there was road work being done.

How can bicycle accidents be prevented?

Drivers need to be on the lookout for bicyclists on the road and in the bike lanes. Always check your mirrors and blind spots before parking, turning, changing lanes, or opening your car door. Being more aware that bicyclists are around can help lessen the chance of a bicycle accident. Bicyclists can make sure to stay in their designated areas on the road, use hand signals when turning or needing to merge, and wear reflective gear.

Is bicycle riding becoming more popular in Portland?

According to the Portland Bureau of Transportation less and less people are riding bicycles. It has been at a steady decline for the past couple of years, and the 2022 data showed it is as low as it was in 2006.

When do bicycle accident happen the most?

While bicycle accidents can happen at any time of the day, they seem to be most common during the hours of 6p.m. and 9p.m. when visibility is quite low and it is harder to see a cyclist. Bicycle accidents also happen frequently in the early mornings, again when visibility is low and not many drivers are fully paying attention to the road.

Do you need to file a police report after a bicycle accident?

Yes, when you have been injured in a bicycle accident you should stay at the scene until the police arrive. They will then file the police report. If the police don’t or won’t respond, call it in as soon as possible.

If I don’t have a car is there such thing as bicycle insurance?

If you do not have car, and therefore you do not have car insurance to cover you in a bicycle accident, you can look into national bicycle insurance. This might be your best option but it would be wise to investigate and see what bicycle insurance or company would be best for you.

If I was injured in a bicycle accident but the car hit me and fled, will my car insurance cover my injuries?

If you have car insurance, in most cases yes, since in Oregon you must have uninsured motorist coverage as a part of your mandatory car insurance policy. You will want to check your exact policy but the uninsured motorist coverage should help you if you were involved in a hit and run accident.

Who has the right of way when there is no designated bike lane?

If there is no designated bike lane, then the bicyclist has the right to ride on the roads. Cars must keep an eye for these bicyclists to not cause an accident. Bicyclists will have to ride closer to the right in the correct direction of traffic.

Law Offices of Jon Friedman

1020 Southwest Taylor Street, #430, Portland, OR 97205

Phone: 503-242-1440

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