Oregon bicycle accident lawyers who counter the bias against riders.
Insurers know jurors can be quick to assume a cyclist did something wrong. They build the whole case around that assumption. We take it apart with evidence.
Their strategy is to make the case about the rider.
A cyclist hit by a car often suffers serious injuries with no metal around them for protection. Despite that, the insurer's first instinct is to suggest the rider was reckless, hard to see, or not following the rules of the road.
Oregon law gives cyclists the right to the road, and most riders are doing exactly what they are supposed to. The insurer's bias narrative falls apart against signal timing, witness accounts, and physical evidence from the scene.
We know how adjusters quietly assign fault to riders to discount a claim, because our attorneys used to work inside that system. We document what actually happened before that narrative can harden.
What to do next.
Get medical care and keep every record.
Adrenaline masks injuries. See a doctor promptly and keep treating. Consistent records defeat the no-real-injury defense.
Preserve the bike and your gear.
Damage to the bike and helmet is evidence of the force involved. Do not repair or discard anything yet.
Find witnesses and cameras.
Bystanders and nearby businesses often saw what happened. We move to capture statements and footage quickly.
Do not let their insurer frame the story.
Decline a recorded statement and call us. The first version of events often sticks, so it should be the accurate one.
We dismantle the rider-blame narrative with evidence.
Winning a bicycle case means getting ahead of the assumptions before they take hold. That requires moving fast on evidence and knowing precisely how the insurer plans to discount the claim.
Several of our attorneys spent years on the insurance side. We know the playbook for shifting fault to a vulnerable road user, and we know how to take it apart.
Partner Paul Vames spent thirteen years defending insurers. He knows exactly how adjusters assign fault to discount a claim, and how to stop it.
Meet Paul Vames →Recovered for injured Oregonians
Part of more than $15 million the firm has recovered across car, truck, pedestrian, and premises cases. The same defense-side experience applies on two wheels.
Common questions.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Oregon?
Generally two years from the date of injury. Evidence fades quickly, so it is best to start well before the deadline.
I was not wearing a helmet. Does that end my claim?
No. For adult riders, not wearing a helmet does not bar a claim, though the insurer may try to use it. We address it head on and keep the focus on the driver's conduct.
What insurance covers a cyclist hit by a car?
The at-fault driver's liability coverage usually applies, and your own auto Personal Injury Protection and health insurance may also help with early bills. We sort out the coverage for you.
What does it cost?
Nothing up front. We work on contingency. No fee unless we win.
Talk to a lawyer who knows the other side.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. We tell you exactly where you stand.