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Motorcycle accidents are frightening, and their aftermath can be even more daunting. One moment, you're driving in the streets of Portland; the next, you're dealing with a catastrophic injury, a damaged bike, and a mounting pile of medical bills. It's not just about the physical pain; it's about the financial strain and emotional turmoil that follows.
This is where Siefman Law LLC steps in. We understand the complex problems that motorcycle accident victims face. Our team is dedicated to fighting for your rights and the financial compensation you deserve. We have years of experience navigating personal injury law and standing up against insurance companies that often try to understate or deny your claim. Contact us for a free consultation.
If you’re a motorcycle rider in Portland and have been injured by a negligent driver, you might be entitled to compensation. This can include:
Medical expenses may include emergency room visits, ongoing medical care, physical therapy, medical devices, and necessary surgeries.
This covers injuries that prevent you from working in the short term, but it may also involve loss of future earnings.
This covers the physical pain and distress caused by the motorcycle accident and subsequent injuries.
This includes repairing or replacing your motor vehicle and any other property damaged in the accident.
At Siefman Law LLC, we firmly believe that victims deserve high-quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That's why we operate on a contingency fee basis.
This means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your claim. This helps you focus on getting better while we concentrate on getting you the compensation you deserve.
Navigating the aftermath of a motorcycle accident often entails dealing with insurance companies and insurance claims to determine the extent of your insurance coverage.
Unfortunately, insurance companies minimize and even deny claims to prioritize their profits. Working with a motorcycle accident lawyer to negotiate a fair settlement can protect your rights and interests.
If the insurance provider refuses to offer a settlement that aligns with your requirements, your attorney may suggest pursuing an insurance claim through the court system. It may be the only way to obtain fair compensation. Here is what you need to consider when dealing with your insurance company:
Insurance Companies Do Not Have Your Best Interests in Mind: Insurance companies are businesses. Their ultimate goal is to protect their bottom line. They will likely try to downplay your claim or deny it altogether. To level the playing field, having a motorcycle accident lawyer in your corner who can negotiate with the insurance company is necessary.
Be careful what you say: Anything you say to an insurance company can be used against you. Let your attorney handle negotiations with the insurance company to avoid inadvertently damaging your personal injury claim.
Understand your policy: It's essential to understand what your insurance policy covers. This includes knowing the limits of your policy — from medical care to property damage — and what types of injuries it covers. If you're unsure, Portland motorcycle accident lawyers can assist you in interpreting it.
Don't accept the first offer: Insurance companies often offer a low initial settlement in hopes that victims will accept it so they can close the case quickly. However, these initial offers rarely cover the total damages of a motor vehicle accident. Your attorney can offer personal injury protection, determine if an offer is truly fair, and negotiate for a higher settlement if necessary.
Keep detailed records: Keep track of medical bills, repair costs, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident. These records are crucial in calculating the value of personal injury claims.
While injured motorcyclists face different recovery processes that can range from serious accidents to fatal injuries, there are some common causes of motorcycle crashes, and most of them involve negligent drivers:
Distracted driving is an increasingly common problem in Portland, Oregon. Some common types of distracted driving include texting while driving, talking on the phone, drinking, adjusting the radio, talking to other passengers, and the list goes on. Only a small percentage of drivers will admit they were distracted when involved in an accident that resulted in a badly injured motorcyclist. This is where motorcycle accident attorneys can make all the difference in proving liability.
Some drivers fail to abide by local traffic laws or even defy them carelessly. Speeding, tailgating, and other reckless driving practices endanger motorcyclists and can lead to severe motorcycle accidents. This type of personal injury case is one of the hardest for the motorcycle community to navigate because a serious accident would have been avoided if drivers had been more responsible.
Drunk and drugged drivers fail to notice motorcycles on the road. If you were the victim of a drunk-driving motorcycle crash, the drunk driver might owe you financial compensation. Alcohol impairs judgment and slows reaction times. A reckless driver is a danger to everyone on the road, especially motorcyclists who lack the protective shell of a motor vehicle.
Drivers who often change lanes without checking their blind spots collide with motorcyclists and cause serious injuries. They might be liable for the injuries they cause. Our Portland law office has seen how drivers changing lanes without checking their blind spots cause big trouble for vehicles involved and even lead to wrongful death cases.
Under Oregon law, you have two years from the date of a motorcycle accident that results in injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. The clock usually starts ticking on the date you were injured.
However, there might be exceptions. For instance, if you only discovered your injury later, the date of discovery rather than the date of the accident might mark how much time you have to file a claim.
Contact a Portland motorcycle accident attorney immediately to discuss your rights and legal options.
Motorcycle accidents are reported to be more severe than car accidents because motorcycle riders are more exposed. When other vehicles crash with motorcyclists, the injured victims bear the full force of the collision. Unfortunately, this means that motorcycle crash injuries can be severe and even catastrophic. Let's talk about some of the most common injuries:
Concussions, skull fractures, and other injuries to the brain can be life-threatening and require extensive surgeries to repair. Injuries to the brain sometimes affect a person’s reasoning, personality, and memory. Even with a helmet, motorcyclists are at risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can lead to severe brain damage, which can require extensive or even life-long care.
If the spine is ruptured in a motorcycle wreck, it can result in paralysis and a completely changed life. Motorcycle riders victims of spinal damage require long-term medical care and rehabilitation, highlighting the need for experienced personal injury lawyers to handle these complex cases while victims recover some semblance of normalcy and deal with never-ending medical bills.
Many motorcycle accident cases involve burns that occur when the driver is exposed to chemicals or fire following a crash. Additionally, when a motorcyclist is thrown from their bike, their skin scrapes across the pavement, causing “road rash” injuries similar to burns. This can result in disfigurement and require extensive treatment, often leading to personal injury cases.
Broken or fractured bones are very common motorcycle crash injuries. Without the safety of a vehicle to protect them, bikers are impacted by the other vehicles directly. This can cause broken or fractured bones at the site of the impact. These injuries can require surgery, physical therapy, and a lengthy recovery.
The most tragic outcomes of traffic accidents are motorcycle accident fatalities. If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident due to someone else's negligence, you may have a wrongful death claim. This is a complex area of law, and having an attorney with personal injury law experience is crucial.
The Portland motorcycle accident lawyers at Siefman Law LLC handle these cases with the utmost sensitivity and respect. We understand that no amount of money can compensate for your loss, but we also know that the financial strain following such a tragedy can be overwhelming. We're here to help you seek justice for loss of income, funeral expenses, and the pain and suffering caused by this devastating event.
When you're dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident or a denied insurance claim, you need more than just legal representation; you need a skilled team that cares about your recovery and your future.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, we can work with you to independently investigate your claim and identify the at-fault party or parties.
Jeff Siefman is an experienced Portland motorcycle accident attorney who is well-versed in the strategies insurance companies use. Don't try to take on the insurance companies alone. Contact Siefman Law LLC for a free consultation today, and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.
Motorcycle accidents and car accidents are quite different. For starters, the injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident are often more severe due to the lack of protection that a motorcycle provides. The more serious nature of the injuries can lead to increased medical costs and longer recovery times.
Secondly, there's often a bias against motorcyclists. Many people have preconceived notions that motorcyclists are reckless or dangerous, which can influence how insurance companies and even law enforcement view your case. This is why having an experienced motorcycle accident attorney is so essential.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else's negligence, hiring a personal injury attorney is highly recommended. Portland motorcycle accident attorneys can help establish liability, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for fair compensation in motorcycle accident claims.
Insurance companies often try to reduce payouts or deny claims altogether. Having an attorney on your side can level the playing field and increase your chances of securing a favorable outcome.