Oregon Motorcycle Accident Attorneys = Aggressive and Dedicated Legal Representation

The Dwyer Williams Potter Accident and Injury Attorney Experience

Because we believe that the most effective law firms are those that limit their practice to one key focus, our experienced Oregon motorcycle accident attorneys at Dwyer Williams Potter Attorneys are dedicated exclusively to representing Oregon residents who suffer serious accident or injury and wrongful death because of the negligent, reckless or intentional misconduct of others. We are not attorneys that handle a cross-section of legal practice areas, but a firm dedicated exclusively to representing those who suffer personal accident or injury including motorcycle accident-related injuries.

At Dwyer Williams Potter Attorneys we carefully fit our strategy for handling your Oregon motorcycle accident case to the specific facts and circumstances of your situation.  Sometimes this involves aggressive and innovative litigation strategies while other times it involves building the strongest possible case to establish the liability of the other party and seriousness of your injuries to obtain a successful result through negotiations or alternative dispute resolution.  We understand the inherent risk that every motorcyclist faces because a rider is more exposed, and a bike is less visible and stable.  We frequently represent clients who are involved in devastating Oregon motorcycle accidents that would have suffered no significant consequences had they been in a passenger vehicle.  When a negligent driver or poorly maintained roadway confronts a motorcyclist, there is little, if any, margin for error.

Unique Accident Risks for Motorcycle Riders in Oregon

The growing danger posed by distracted motor vehicle drivers poses a particularly high risk for motorcycle riders who have little time or ability to respond to a driver who is busy texting or talking on a cell phone rather than watching the road.  Motorcycles constitute only 3 percent of vehicles on the road but account for 13 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities.  The unique risk posed to motorcyclist is a result of a number of factors including:

• Absence of protection from a vehicle’s frame
• Lack of safety equipment, such as seat belts, roll-bars, or airbags like in cars
• Instability particularly when making sudden evasive maneuvers
• Negligible margin for error when confronted with a road hazard or negligent driver
• Inability to be observed easily in blind spots because of size differential

Over five thousand people per year are killed in fatal motorcycle accidents, and the danger faced by motorcycle riders is growing at an alarming rate.  During a recent seven-year period, motorcycle accident fatality rates increased 78 percent.  Because of the inherent safety disadvantages faced by motorcyclists, a bike rider is 5.5 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a motor vehicle accident than an occupant of a motor vehicle.

The leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents are head injuries (brain injuries), which often result in loss of mobility, sensation, mental function, communication ability, and other mental processes.  The inherent danger posed to motorcyclists by negligent drivers, poorly maintained highways and defective motorcycles makes wearing a helmet to avoid serious head injuries imperative.  The recent rise in motorcycle accident fatalities is attributed in large part to the decline in motorcycle helmet use.  A motorcycle rider who does not wear a helmet is not only at risk for suffering far more serious injuries but may limit his or her amount of recovery to the degree that not wearing a helmet increased the severity of the rider’s injuries.

Significant Causes of a Motorcycle Accident

The driver’s manual in Oregon is referred to as the Rules of the Road and includes certain “Do’s” and “Dont’s” that apply to those riding a motorcycle and drivers who share the road with motorcycles.  Rules of the Road also operate as a guide in defining the responsibilities and obligations of motorcyclists, motor vehicle drivers, pedestrians, as well as bicyclists.  Motor vehicle drivers are prohibited from certain actions, such as depriving a motorcycle or moped of a full lane or unlawful use of signal for passing.

There are many causes of serious motorcycle accidents including negligence by drivers of passenger cars, SUVs and trucks including tractor-trailers.  A motorcycle accident also may be caused by a public entity’s failure to properly design or maintain the roadway in a safe condition.  Minor potholes that a driver of a passenger vehicle would not even perceive can be deadly for a motorcyclist.  Motorcycles may also be involved in serious Oregon motorcycle accidents because of defects in motorcycle design or components including defective brakes, tires or steering.  Certain road hazards and driving practices pose a particular danger to motorcycle enthusiast including:

• Unsafe lane changes that cut off a motorcycle
• Failure of drivers to check their blind spot
• Inattentive and distracted driving
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Refusal of drivers to abide by traffic laws
• Defective motorcycles or motorcycle components
• Negligently designed or maintained roads

We are here to answer your questions and help you move past this tragedy. If you need help, call an Oregon motorcycle accident attorney at Dwyer Williams Potter LLP, you should free to call us at (888) 247-9023 or visit one of our offices located throughout Oregon.

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