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Riding a motorcycle down any of Portland’s many picturesque streets can be a highly rewarding experience. Still, there’s always the risk of getting into an accident that could result in serious injuries. The drivers of other motor vehicles tend to be aggressive toward bikers, and even if they’re not, they can have trouble spotting motorcycles sharing the road with them.
The good news is that there are plenty of motorcycle safety tips in Portland, OR, that you can follow as a means of helping protect yourself. But accidents can still occur, though, causing you to lose out on things like your expected income and your quality of life.
If you’ve been in a crash, filing a personal injury claim could help you recover those losses. Contact Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with an experienced Portland motorcycle accident lawyer at (503) 773-3333.
Because bikes don’t have the safety features of most automobiles, like seat belts or airbags, being in a motorcycle accident could mean facing far more significant injuries. You could experience anything from road rash to broken bones, spinal cord trauma, and even brain injuries that leave you unable to live your life as you once did.
At Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our Portland personal injury attorneys can assist you in pursuing a claim against the party responsible for causing your injuries.
To do so, we provide the following services:
We have almost two decades of experience helping people throughout Portland, Oregon, and in that time, we have won millions in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. We don’t charge any upfront fees, and we will always treat you with the compassionate respect you deserve. Contact our Portland personal injury lawyers today to learn if filing a claim is the right choice for you.
To ride as safely as possible and avoid the most common motorcycle injuries, it’s essential to understand and heed safety tips.
Oregon is one of several states with universal helmet laws, requiring that motorcycle operators and riders always wear a helmet, regardless of age or experience level. Furthermore, these helmets must be approved by the Department of Transportation, affirming that they offer protection from debris and the elements without obstructing anyone’s vision.
You must also wear eye protection of some kind unless the motorcycle has a windshield. And though other types of gear, like safety boots, gloves, pants, and jackets, are not explicitly required, they are nonetheless essential, as they can help prevent serious injuries if you’re thrown off your bike.
Motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles, and they tend to fall into the blind spots of car and truck drivers. As such, you must drive defensively, always assuming that those drivers can’t see you.
Make sure you are fully aware of where everyone around you is, and keep an eye on road conditions around you as well. Avoid potholes, areas with debris, and other similar issues, as any of these can cause your bike to lose its traction.
Before getting on the road, ensure that all of your motorcycle’s components are in working order. You should also schedule regular maintenance checks by mechanics. Although that may sound like a hassle, mechanics will be able to spot any issues that could put you at risk while riding.
In Oregon, a white headlamp must be turned on at all times while riding a motorcycle to make you more visible. To further increase the chances of other drivers spotting you, make sure you wear bright colors and have reflective gear on, especially at night.
Operating a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is just as dangerous and illegal as driving a car in the same state. It becomes much more difficult to gauge distances, and your reflexes and coordination can be severely impacted, as well, meaning accidents are much more likely to occur.
Colliding with a motorcycle is already a traumatic and devastating occurrence, but the consequences can be much worse if high speeds are involved. Not only will the force of impact be more significant, leaving you with catastrophic injuries, but you might also be seen as having contributed to the accident, which can reduce your compensation in a subsequent legal case.
By following all of the above safety tips, you are doing the utmost to protect yourself while on Oregon roads. That does not, however, mean that you’ll be able to avoid all accidents. And if another party’s negligence on the road has led you to suffer losses, filing a claim could be the right next step.
At Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our Portland motorcycle accident attorneys provide the assistance you deserve. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.