Motorcycle Laws in Oregon

Traffic laws are meant to protect all road users. However, certain road users, like pedestrians, cyclists, and especially motorcyclists, face greater risks than others. As a result, all states have unique laws that apply solely or primarily to motorcycles.

After a motorcycle accident in a place like Portland, OR, the other driver could raise a defense that you failed to comply with state motorcycle laws. Thankfully, Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers has extensive experience with cases like these and can often help clients overcome such defenses. Contact us online or call (503) 773-3333 today

For assistance, contact our Portland personal injury lawyer for a free initial consultation to discuss your motorcycle collision and legal options. 

How Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident in Portland, OR

Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered millions of dollars for people injured in Portland, Oregon. Our founding attorney has over 17 years of legal experience fighting at-fault parties and their insurers on behalf of injured people.

If you suffer an injury due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions, a Portland motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm will do the following for you:

• Analyze your situation and identify your legal options
• Collect evidence and records for your case
• File a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer and negotiate with the adjuster
• Pursue litigation if the insurance company refuses to settle

No matter how they occur, motorcycle accidents can cause devastating limb, head, and spine injuries. Do not hesitate to contact our Portland personal injury attorney for a free consultation to discuss your crash and the compensation we can pursue under Oregon law.

Why Do States Have Different Laws For Motorcycles?

Traditional drivers often have difficulty spotting motorcycles due to their size and speed. As a result, riders must be prepared to safely move out of the way of approaching vehicles. However, motorcycles are difficult to control. They pack a lot of power for their weight, and novices can easily crash while accelerating or turning.

Additionally, motorcycles lack a passenger compartment to protect riders in a crash. As such, they will often fall to the ground with their bike or be ejected during a collision. In either case, the rider can suffer severe or even fatal injuries.

In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle riders who are involved in crashes are 22 times more likely to die and four times more likely to get injured than those involved in car accidents.

States like Oregon are aware of these statistics and thus pass laws to protect motorcyclists from unsafe riding practices and other drivers altogether.

Oregon Motorcycle Laws

Crash statistics specific to Portland verify the state’s need for particular motorcycle laws. In a recent year, the city experienced 114 motorcycle accidents. Only 19 riders, or 16.7%, walked away from their crashes uninjured. The remaining 83.3% of crashes caused eight deaths and 87 non-fatal injuries.

On that note, Oregon’s motorcycle laws fall into four broad categories:

Motorcycle Operator License Requirements

All states require motorcycle operators to have a different license or endorsement. In Oregon, you have two options for getting a motorcycle license. First, if you move to Oregon with a valid motorcycle license from another U.S. state or territory, Oregon will exchange your out-of-state license for one issued by it.

Second, new operators with a valid Oregon driver’s license can obtain a motorcycle endorsement by taking an approved motorcycle safety course. The state waives the riding test for applicants who pass the course. It also waives the written test if the course includes live classroom instruction.

Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

All Oregon vehicle owners must carry insurance on their vehicles. However, the requirements for motorcycle owners differ from those for automobile owners. For instance, they do not typically need personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. 

In fact, Oregon motorcycle owners may have trouble finding an insurer that would issue PIP coverage to them. That is because such coverage pays for crash injuries to a covered driver and all passengers; the high injury rate for motorcyclists makes covering them unprofitable for insurers.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Oregon is one of only 17 states with a universal helmet law, requiring all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear a helmet approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Failing to do so or being found wearing an unapproved helmet can result in a traffic ticket.

Traffic Laws

All the traffic laws that apply to cars also apply to motorcycles, but Oregon law also restricts motorcyclists from doing the following:

• Riding on sidewalks
• Traveling in a lane more than two motorcycles across
• Carrying a passenger without footrests
• Driving on lane lines, a practice known as lane splitting

Violating any of these laws can result in a fine and points on your driving record.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Experienced Portland Motorcycle Accident Attorney

A motorcycle collision can happen even when you fully comply with Oregon’s motorcycle laws. Contact Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your motorcycle crash injuries and how we can help you pursue compensation for them.