City reaches settlement in case against police, DHS

By DORA TOTOIAN
Of the News-Register The McMinnville City Council authorized the city manager last week to carry out a settlement in the case of a young survivor of sexual abuse who sued the city and state for what her lawsuit described as their failure to protect her from her sexually abusive father.

Councilors approved the settlement after discussing the matter in executive session.

QM, a pseudonym for the survivor, sued the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and the McMinnville Police Department through a guardian ad litem in 2018. The lawsuit sought $3.35 million in damages.

The settlement amount is $825,000, Steve Kraemer, the attorney retained by the city’s insurance carrier, said in an email Wednesday. The state will pay

$475,000 and the city, through its insurance, will pay $350,000, Kraemer said.

A conservatorship was established to manage the money on behalf of the child, said Travis Mayor, one of QM’s lawyers.

In 2018, QM’s father pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and sodomy in the first degree and two counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree and is serving 10 years in prison. The child was 9 at the time of the crimes her father pleaded guilty to; however, allegations of abuse were first reported many years earlier.

In 2009, QM’s mother reported to DHS and the police her concern that QM’s father had or would sexually abuse the child. She later made other complaints to DHS about the danger the father posed to his daughter. QM was around two years old at the time.

The News-Register is not identifying the child and her parents to protect the identity of the victim.

DHS was “unable to deter- mine” if the father had abused the child, according to a 2020 lawsuit the state filed against QM’s mother.

In that lawsuit, which was filed but never served to the mother, the state and city argued she was negligent in caring for her daughter and should help pay the $3.35 million to QM. The state and city had previously tried unsuccessfully to file a third-party complaint against QM’s mother in the original lawsuit, according to court records.

The state and city didn’t serve the lawsuit to QM’s mother because the mediation at which the case was settled occurred soon after filing it, Kraemer said. Part of the settlement is that the state’s lawsuit will be dismissed, Mayor said.

The state’s lawsuit against QM’s mother faulted her for, among other things, allegedly not upholding a no-contact order between QM and her father and not reporting her concerns in a timely fashion.

Mayor described the lawsuit against QM’s mother as a tactic to deflect from the state’s own negligence. In his opinion, Oregon law precludes blaming the mother, as he said her behavior did not
meet the “palpably unreasonable” or “grossly negligent” standard.

“It was QM’s mom who was the one…raising a red flag and blowing a whistle and trying to alert the state and the City of McMinnville Police Department, and to turn around and blame her for what happened is offensive, in my view,” Mayor said Wednesday.

In 2011, the police learned through a then-girlfriend of the father that he had child pornography on his computer and that he had admitted to abusing QM, according to records. McMinnville Police obtained the computer but said the department lacked probable cause for a search warrant because the computer had been handled by people besides the father, according to the state’s lawsuit.

McMinnville Police Chief Matt Scales did not reply to a request for comment.

QM’s mother asked why police would not further investigate those claims. DHS closed the matter after the girlfriend recanted her report, following an allegation by the father that she broke into his car and stole his computer. No more complaints were made against QM’s father, the state’s lawsuit said.

Around that time, the mother was awarded sole custody of the child. According to the state’s suit, the mother told the court she wanted QM to have some relationship with the father, if he could control his drug use. The father had been cited and charged multiple times for various misdemeanors in years prior to the custody hearing. The state alleges the mother failed to tell the family court about previous suspected sexual abuse, and the father was awarded graduated parenting time.

In 2017, QM told her mother her father had sexually abused her since 2016, which her mother reported to DHS, leading to the arrest of the father. He was initially charged with five counts of first degree sexual abuse, two counts of first degree sodomy and two counts of attempt to commit a Class A felony.

During an investigation, the police in Salem, where QM’s father lived at the time, obtained a search warrant for the computer in the McMin nville Police Department’s possession, which contained around 1,300 pictures of young girls, the lawsuit said.

Additional charges of encouraging child sexual abuse were added to the case. “I hope this lawsuit makes the City of McMinnville Police Department take this really seriously the next time someone makes a com- plaint,” Mayor said. “DHS and police officers are mandatory reporters, and they have to investigate, and they can’t just do a cursory investigation. They have to do a reasonable investigation, and they had opportunities here to do a reasonable investigation, which in our view probably would’ve stopped this from happening.”

Click here to get a pdf version of this story.

Why Do So Many Drivers Fail To Use Turn Signals?

Turn signals, otherwise known as blinkers, indicators, or trafficators, are a necessary factor when it comes to safe driving. They exist to inform other drivers of your intentions to make a turn, preventing potentially fatal collisions from occurring. As such, it’s not uncommon among turn signal users to become frustrated when fellow drivers fail to use their blinker. If not, personal injury can occur when you’re hurt in a resulting crash.

But more and more people are failing to implement their turn signal when they make a turn or change lanes. Here are some of the most common reasons why drivers don’t use their turn signals.

what is personal injury

They forgot

The most common reason drivers don’t use their turn signal is because they simply forget. This often occurs when a driver is traveling down a familiar route or needs to make a sudden turn. The best way to get back into the habit of using your turn signal is by using it whenever you change lanes, whether there are other cars around or not. If you get into the habit of using it all the time, you’re less likely to forget to use it in the future.

Road rage

Some angry drivers may fail to use their blinker when they want to cut you off. In particularly congested traffic, however, some cars will try to slip into a gap to prevent another driver from blocking a space. This is a dangerous habit that has the potential to put many in harm’s way. If you’re cut off by a driver without a blinker and injured in a crash, contact your personal injury attorney for more information.

They’re lazy

Some drivers even make the conscious decision to not use their turn signal. It’s estimated that 23% of drivers don’t use their turn signals because they were too lazy to do it.

What’s the proper way to use a turn signal?

Oregon state law demands that a moving vehicle must put its blinker on at least 100 ft before a turn or lane change is performed. This signals to other drivers that your car is changing position, allowing the proper amount of time for fellow drivers to adjust their speed or change lanes themselves.

Before you search “what is personal injury?” know that failure to use your blinker is a factor in many car accidents. When you want more information on “what is personal injury” contact your car accident attorney at Mayor Law today.

New Report Shows Large Trucking Accidents On The Rise

personal injury attorneyAccording to a recent press release, large truck accidents have been on the rise throughout the United States. So many people have been hurt in a truck accident between 2009 and 2017 that Road Safe America has called for new mandates pertaining to speed limiters on large trucks.

“Most of the states in this top five list have truck speed limits of 70 mph or more,” claims Steve Owings, co-founder of Road Safe America. “There is no good reason for big-rigs that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, or more in some states, to be operating at speeds this high since they cannot stop in the same distance in an emergency as vehicles with which they share the roads.”

And Road Safe America isn’t the only group supporting this speed limiter. A recent survey posited by the group revealed 80% of respondents across all demographics agree that these requirements are necessary.

Unfortunately, there is little to be seen on road safety pertaining to semi trucks and other motor vehicle accidents. On top of this, a recent geographic analysis of pedestrian safety and car accidents has revealed some of the most dangerous cities in America.

According to the report released by Dangerous by Design, pedestrian fatalities have increased by 35% since 2008. In 2015 alone, it was estimated that 19% of these fatalities occurred among people over the age of 65.

Luckily, Oregon did not make the list. However, for the countless people living in the urban sprawls of Florida, California, and Texas, crossing the street holds a heightened risk that will make you look twice.

The report claims that Florida is the most perilous state to walk in the entirety of the country. In fact, eight out of the top 10 most-perilous cities reside in Florida. As such, state and community efforts have tried to enact a “complete streets” policy to incorporate bike lanes, safer pedestrian crossing areas, and wider walkways.

As the world becomes more perilous for pedestrians and drivers alike, it’s essential you have the best personal injury attorney available. At Mayor Law, we work hard to protect Oregon citizens from construction accidents, bicycle accidents, car accidents, and more. When you need a personal injury attorney in Portland, rely on the experience of Mayor Law to represent your case.

What Businesses Should Know About Premises Liability Cases

Negligence is never good—and for businesses, it can cause major problems and injuries. Besides the human pain and suffering, an injury on your property can also result in high costs for your company. Here’s an overview of what businesses and business owners should know about premises liability.

What is it?

Premises liability is a legal concept that typically comes into play in personal injury cases. In these cases, the injury has to have been caused by some type of unsafe or defective condition on a business or organization’s property. Most personal injury cases are based on negligence, and premises liability cases are no exception to that. In order to win a case, the injured individual must prove negligence. Failure to keep a property safe for visitors results in premises liability.

In the past—1968, to be exact—the California Supreme Court took the idea of premises liability and turned it into a national debate. The previous system put more weight on the entrant’s status and less on the landowner, but because of this new standard, premises liability shifted to the landowner’s responsibility. Therefore, even though the entrant or visitor and their status—invitee, licensee, or trespasser—still matter, there’s more focus on the landowner’s responsibility to take care of their property. Therefore, avoiding premises liability requires a landowner to avoid being negligent.

The Three Entrant Categories

The entrant plays an important role in premises liability, so it’s important to know what these three categories are.

  1. Invitee – This is someone who has the landowner’s express or implied permission to enter the property. Invitees in business settings are customers at a restaurant, guests at hotels, clients at an office, and shoppers at a grocery store, for example. Businesses owe invitees a duty of responsible care, which essentially means that that the business will take care of their property and maintain safe conditions because they’re inviting people to enter. 
  2. Licensee – A licensee is somewhat similar to an invitee, but has express or implied permission to enter the property for his or her own purposes. The landowner has no expectation of financial gain from a licensee. This covers people like salesmen, plumbers, and delivery persons. The landowner has a duty only to warn the licensee about dangerous conditions.
  3. Trespasser – A trespasser is someone who is not allowed to be on the property. Traditionally, landowners owe no duty to trespassers, unless the trespasser is a child. For example, swimming pool owners have a duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid foreseeable risk of harm to children who may end up near their pool, regardless of whether or not those children are trespassing.

Types of Premises Liability Cases

The typical premises liability case is that of the “slip and fall.” The most standard of liability cases, this occurs when someone trips/slips and falls on someone else’s property. This can be due to a variety of causes, such as defective staircases, accumulations of ice or snow, wet floors, hidden cords, unsecured rugs, and more. Other types of premises liability cases include:

There are many different scenarios that fall under the premises liability umbrella because if any harm comes to someone on your property, you could—depending on the situation—be held liable. This may seem worrisome, but there are plenty of things that you can do to prevent these cases from knocking atInspect your door.

How to Prevent Premises Liability Cases

There are three steps that you should take to prevent most workplace injuries and expensive liability claims.

  1. Inspect – Businesses and other landowners need to make sure that they consistently inspect their workspace and the rest of their property. Areas need to be kept clean and safe at all times. Vigilance is key—the one time that somebody doesn’t clean up or take care of a loose floorboard might just be the time that a visitor gets hurt. It’s a good idea to check your property after storms to see if anything has been knocked loose. If someone notes a potential hazard, act swiftly—this could both spare someone a great deal of pain and save your business thousands or even millions of dollars.
  2. Correct – Failing to correct issues can lead to significant lawsuits, and there are plenty of qualified Portland accident lawyers who make sure that injured parties are compensated. Although inspection is the first step, it means nothing without correction. Correcting hazards and issues as soon as they are noted is the best way to prevent accidents and injuries from happening.
  3. Warn – If you or somebody else notice a hazard that can’t be corrected right away, then a warning sign needs to be displayed. When it comes to slip and fall cases, they tend to happen most often because no sign is displayed showing that there is a wet floor or an icy sidewalk. These cautionary signs show that you’re paying attention and taking the necessary steps to protect the safety of people visiting your property. Even after a warning sign has been displayed, property owners should still work diligently to fix the hazard as soon as possible. A warning is important, but it doesn’t mean that you can leave the problem unfixed.

If you run a business or other property-owning organization, you can—and should—follow all of these steps to lessen your risk of premises liability cases. If you’re someone who’s been injured because a business or organization failed to properly maintain a safe environment, you have options. You’ll want to have a good Portland accident lawyer on your side who will help you build your case. Travis Mayor has won millions of dollars in compensation for clients who’ve been injured, and he’ll bring all his expertise to bear as he fights for you in court. If you’d like to discuss your case, contact us via the form at the bottom of the page or by phone at (503) 506-7891 to set up a free consultation.

Motorcycle Law 101: What You Should Know Before You Ride In Oregon

Riding a motorcycle in Oregon comes with its fair share of safety rules and regulations. After all, a motorcycle accident is often more serious than a bicycle accident. Not only is this meant to keep you safe on the road, but it also ensures the wellbeing of other drivers. Before you get on your hog and ride, be sure to know these motorcycle basics mandatory in the state of Oregon.

Education 101: What you need to ride

Even if you’ve been riding motorcycles for years, you won’t be able to legally take yours on the road unless you receive mandatory rider education. This includes Basic Rider Training (BRT) and Intermediate Rider Training (IRT) for those over 21. Taking a motorcycle rider education course can even lower insurance premiums depending on the insurance agency.

In order to receive a motorcycle Instruction Permit, you have to be at least 16 years of age, have a valid driver license issued in the state, and pass the test. You must be given this permit and pass a motorcycle education course in order to receive a motorcycle endorsement.

DUII

This is especially important for new folks who move to Oregon. Unlike other states, Oregon issues DUII laws and fines, not DUI convictions. A DUII means that you’re ‘driving under the influence of intoxicants’ which prohibits any driving or riding with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more, or riding with any cannabis, inhalants, or other controlled substances in your system.

Unlike DUI laws, the DUII convictions in Oregon harbor strict minimum sentences for first-time offenders. Following your first offense, it’s mandatory that you install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for a minimum of one year, serve jail time from 48 hours up to a year (or serve 80 hours of community service), pay a fine, or even receive a license suspension.

There is no plea bargaining should you be arrested for a DUII in the state of Oregon.

What to wear when you ride

Riding a motorcycle means that you’re subject to environmental factors and significant damage should you be in an accident. As such, it’s necessary you wear the proper protective gear when you get on the road, including the following:

Operating a motorcycle in the state of Oregon comes with a few nuances that anyone needs to learn should you want to ride. It’s estimated that 14% of the traffic fatalities in Oregon were related to motorcyclists in 2013.

Whether you suffer from a motorcycle accident, a bicycle accident, or simply need to talk to a personal injury attorney, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals of Mayor Law. Our personal injury attorneys have the experience necessary in order to help you handle a variety of drunk driving claims, construction accidents, and more. If you’ve been in a motorcycle or bicycle accident, contact us today.

Why You Should Always Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer For Your Case

what is personal injuryWe have always been taught that we should take care of things on our own, but when it comes to personal injury law, it’s essential that you rely on a professional to oversee your case. During this stressful time, it’s vital that you have someone to back you up, or at least offer support in your corner of the ring.

Here’s why you should always rely on the professionalism of personal injury lawyers.

Lawyers have the necessary experience

Many people who get into an accident might find themselves asking, what is personal injury law? This is common, especially if you’ve never been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence.

An experienced personal injury lawyer will help you understand the ins and outs of your case. Namely, they can help you identify if you have a personal injury lawsuit in the first place by identifying the pitfalls in the at-fault party. If you wonder ‘what is personal injury law?’ you should always rely on the experience and knowledge of a personal injury attorney.

Lawyers are experts at negotiating

Where you might be stressed and angry over the circumstances resulting in your personal injury case, your personal injury lawyer will know how to negotiate without bias or emotion. These skilled workers will negotiate with insurance adjusters, the defending party, and with any arbitrators who you may come into contact with throughout the duration of your case. When it comes to objective negotiation, your attorney quickly becomes one of your primary assets in your personal injury claim.

You deserve peace of mind

Suffering from a personal injury is a stressful experience for just about anyone. You might find yourself struggling to follow the right steps after a car accident or a slip and fall accident. After all, an estimated 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2015 alone. If you don’t know what to do after a car crash or after suffering from workplace injuries, you deserve to place this burden of stress on experts in the field. This is the best way to give yourself peace of mind during times of duress.

Not many people can answer the time-old question, ‘what is personal injury law?’ When you want the professionalism and experience of a reliable personal injury firm, contact Mayor Law today.

Tell Distracted Driving To Take The Back Seat And Focus On The Road

Instances of distracted driving are steadily rising. While people using mobile phones and other handheld electronic devices may have dropped from 3.8% to 3.3% from 2015 to 2016, distracted driving as a whole applies to more than just cell phone use on the road

Legions of personal injury lawyers represent people who were in motor vehicle accidents caused by some form of distracted driving. Getting hurt in a crash is terrible as is, but it can be even worse when the accident could have been avoided by distraction-free driving. Let’s look at some things that distract us on the road and what we should do to avoid them.

More Tech Now Than Ever

Technology has been — and continues to be — a two-edged sword in the realm of distracted driving. While new technologies have been developed to keep our hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, the sheer volume of device capabilities can be distracting. Set up your Bluetooth, voice assistant, and device-to-vehicle connectivity before the car is in drive.

Less Passenger Focus, More Road Focus

Because the holiday season has just passed us, this point will still be fresh in your minds. If you’ve done any driving with your family throughout the holiday season, you know how distracting your own passengers can be. It’s only natural to pay attention to what they’re doing, but it can be a huge distraction. While driving, focusing on the road is the best way to care for your passengers, no matter how noisy they may be.

When In Doubt, Pull Over

In every sense, this is the most reasonable thing to do while driving. No matter the distraction, if you feel you’re losing your focus on the road, safely pull over and take whatever time you need to get back in the zone. One of the most little talked about forms of distracted driving is drowsiness and loss of full focus. If you’re driving and don’t really remember going the last several miles, it’s time for a break. Remember this mantra in every driving instance: pulling over is okay. There’s no break too long for the sake of safety.

Stay safe and distraction-free out there on the roads. While we don’t wish it on anyone, accidents happen. When they do and you’re injured in a car accident, seek the experienced personal injury lawyers at Mayor Law. Get in touch with us today.

Stages of a Personal Injury Case | Personal Injury Lawyer in OR

Judge Mallet

If you’ve recently been injured in an accident and are looking to take the party responsible to court, you’re going to need an idea of what’s in store for you. It’s no secret that an injury lawsuit can be a stressful experience—that’s why it’s important to do some research before beginning the process. Below are the steps that you’ll want to be aware of ahead of time. We’ve touched on the stages of a personal injury case previously, but we wanted to expand further in this blog post.

Seek Medical Treatment

If you have yet to go to a doctor, you’ll want to do that immediately. Aside from receiving proper care for your injuries, you’ll also obtain documentation of what happened to you in the accident. This will be incredibly helpful later on when certain parties, such as an insurance agency or the jury, look for proof.

Hire an Attorney

In order to hold the guilty party accountable for the accident, you’ll want to meet with a personal injury attorney. Before meeting with them, put together a profile with any documentation that pertains to your situation—such as the medical records mentioned above. Look for a lawyer who will provide you with a free consultation; if you’re asked to pay a fee, that law firm may not have your best interests in mind.

Don’t be afraid to ask the attorney questions regarding their background, case history, expertise, or any other factors that may concern you. The attorney will most likely do the same, asking questions to gain a better understanding of your case to determine if they can be of service to you. If an attorney makes any promises regarding financial reparations during your initial meeting, it’s best to reconsider enlisting their services. There’s no way to accurately gauge the outcome of a case without spending a great deal of time examining the evidence. You’ll want to find an attorney who’s going to be honest with you from start to finish.

Once you settle on an attorney, the next step is to discuss payment. It’s common for law professionals who work on injury cases to charge on a contingency basis. That means they don’t get paid unless you win. If you win, a percentage of the compensation awarded to you will go to the attorney. Before signing a contract with someone, re-read the terms, ask any unanswered questions, and settle on a plan for reimbursement before signing any documents.

This is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make throughout this process. A good lawyer can make or break a case, and the last thing you want is someone who’s apathetic. Plan to meet with a few different candidates, and take plenty of time to look over their credentials.

Signature Lawsuit

Filing a Lawsuit

Now it’s the lawyer’s turn to investigate your claim and perform all the necessary personal injury lawsuit steps. After collecting all the evidence regarding your case, the lawyer will determine if the issue can be brought to court. At this point, your attorney will make a final determination on if you do or do not have a case. If the case is viable, then your attorney will consult with you about negotiating a deal with the defendant.

The vast majority of personal injury cases are settled before going to trial. Be sure that your lawyer waits until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) before negotiating any sort of deal. Until you are at the furthest point of recovery, there is no way to know how much the case is worth.

If the case cannot be settled with a deal, then a lawsuit will be filed in court. At this point, it’s in a judge’s hands to set deadlines for each pre-trial phase in the lawsuit process. These are:

This process can take anywhere from a few months to several years—it all depends on the state you reside in and the factors of your case. Once the pre-trial phase is complete, a mediation can be requested. This is where both the plaintiff and defendant meet, along with their attorneys and a mediator, to try to negotiate a settlement once more.

Going to Trial

If a solution is still not found during mediation, then the final option is to go to trial. During this time, both sides will present their arguments, and a judge and jury will determine who is liable for the injuries and harm that transpired during the accident. If the defendant is found responsible, then a decision will be made regarding the reparations (the amount the defendant must pay you to amend the situation).

Final Steps

Before you can get paid, your attorney is required to pay any contingents with a legal claim on the reward. Once that money is dispersed, and your lawyer collects their percentage, you will receive a check with the final amount which is solely yours. Know that it often takes time for the monetary compensation to make its way to you. Once you have the money in your hand, the lawsuit is finally over.

It’s normal to feel apprehensive about starting a personal injury lawsuit. Hopefully, this brief overview has lessened some of your concerns and encouraged you to fight for restitution. The most important thing is to make sure you have an expert attorney who will do everything in their power to make sure you have a successful litigation process.

For more than a decade, Travis Mayor has successfully represented personal injury clients in the Portland area. He draws on hundreds of cases’ worth of experience to deliver results in both settlements and court cases. If you’re in need of a personal injury lawyer in Portland, look no further than Mayor Law, LLC. Travis is committed to each client’s fight for the compensation they deserve.

Truck Accident Misconceptions: What You Shouldn’t Believe

truck accident claim

Worldwide, more than 50% of all road traffic fatalities occur among young adults ages 15 to 44. But regardless of your age, you’re certainly more likely to die or suffer serious injuries if you’re involved in a truck accident than you are if you’re involved in a car crash. The sheer size and power of these vehicles means that proper road safety is paramount in order to prevent a tragic collision.

 

If you’re hurt in a truck accident and manage to survive, you will likely suffer some major medical harm as a result. When you’re injured in a crash like this, it’s important to protect yourself in the aftermath by talking to an experienced attorney and assess whether you might have grounds for filing a truck accident claim. Unfortunately, a lot of people choose not to file, even when they’re legally entitled to compensation, just because they believe some pervasive myths about truck accidents. Here are just a few of those misconceptions.

MISCONCEPTION: Experienced Truck Drivers Aren’t Typically to Blame For Accidents.

Truth: Truck drivers are just as prone (if not more so) to accidents than the average motorist. Yes, many truck drivers are skilled professionals who have perfect driving records. But just like with other drivers, there are those who engage in distracted behaviors or who drive drowsy. There are also truck drivers who are new to the industry and who don’t have the first-hand knowledge to avoid some of the pitfalls that can result in accidents. While the motorists may be at least partially to blame in some crash cases, it’s just as likely that the trucker’s negligence could have caused the accident.

MISCONCEPTION: Truck Drivers Have to Follow the Same Laws as All Other Motorists.

Truth: Actually, truck drivers have to follow more stringent rules than regular motorists do. They do have to obey all posted traffic laws, but they also have to use even more extreme caution than those laws indicate. Many states force truck drivers to travel below posted speed limits on specific roadways. And in addition to the normal motorist laws that truckers have to follow even more strictly, they have their own set of commercial vehicle laws they have to obey. You might assume that means they’re safer drivers, but it actually means you might have more grounds for a truck accident claim than you might think. If you believe a truck driver violated both state and federal laws, your Portland truck accident attorney may have more to work with when filing your claim.

MISCONCEPTION: All Trucks Contain Black Boxes That Will Record an Accident.

Truth: Electronic data recorders may be installed in some trucks, but they aren’t required — and they might not contain all the information you need to file and win a truck accident claim. Not all trucks have these devices, and if they do, they don’t always record automatically. They may be triggered by certain accident conditions, but even then, they may actually record in a loop (and thus may not capture the entire incident). While this technology can help to support your case, it probably won’t be the “smoking gun” you think it is. That’s why it’s essential to work with an attorney and to document everything you can right from the start in order to strengthen your claim.

MISCONCEPTION: Truck Accident Claims are Nearly Impossible to Win.

Truth: Any legal claim can be tedious to pursue, but if another driver is at fault, it’s worth doing. A lot of people believe that big trucking companies have endless money to spend on attorneys, which makes it pointless to even try. Nothing could be further from the truth. If your experienced lawyer can prove a truck driver’s negligence, you can and should file a claim. Keep in mind that these cases may not be resolved quickly, but many cases can reach a resolution on a shorter timeline if a settlement is involved. It’s best to consult with a lawyer experienced in this area to discern whether you have a viable case.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney to Get Legal Guidance

To learn more about our services and what to do after a serious traffic accident, please contact our Truck Accident Lawyer in Portland today.

Bicycle Accident Injuries: What to Watch For and What to Do If They Occur

common bicycle accident injuries

 

Riding a bike can be a great way to embrace more eco-friendly forms of transportation and maintain a fitness routine. However, cyclists may not always be treated with respect and care by motorists on main roads. When Portland Oregon bicycle laws are ignored by drivers, serious accidents and injuries can occur. If you’re hurt in an accident while cycling, it’s important that you’re aware of the potential risks and the next steps to take.

 

What Are the Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?

Because bicyclists are far more vulnerable than motorists are, they’re usually the ones who sustain more significant damage in the event of a collision. Some of the most common bicycle accident injuries may include:

 

 

What Should You Do if You’re Hurt in a Bike Accident?

The list above outlines a few of the most serious and most common bicycle accident injuries, but there are certainly others that can occur. No matter how serious you believe your cycling injury might be, it’s important to seek out immediate medical attention following an accident. You should call 911 to ensure you receive that treatment and that the accident is reported and documented.

After filing a report, obtaining motorist information, and documenting both the scene and your injuries, you should contact a Portland bicycle accident lawyer to learn more about your options. In many bike accident cases, the motorist’s negligence may have resulted in the cyclist’s injuries. If that applies to your situation, your lawyer can advise you on how to proceed. While around 95-96% of personal injury cases are settled pretrial, the circumstances of your case may warrant a court proceeding. This could depend on the extent of your injuries and the details of your particular case.

 

Although there are many common bicycle accident injuries that occur amongst cyclists, that doesn’t mean they’re not a big deal. In fact, one collision has the power to change the life of a cyclist. If you’ve been injured while riding your bicycle at the hands of someone else, you should contact a lawyer to discuss your case and the options might be available to you.