PEDESTRIAN / BICYCLE ACCIDENT
INJURY OR DEATH

Recent Portland bicycle accidents call attention to danger to cyclists on the roadway

When a pedestrian or bicyclist is involved in a car or motor vehicle accident, it is rare that the pedestrian or bicyclist wins. Sadly, several fatal bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents occurred in Portland, Bend, and elsewhere around Oregon this year. In one instance, a hit and run driver hit two bicyclists, killing one of them.

The obvious causes of serious injury are negligent drivers. However, sometimes bike and pedestrian accidents occur when crosswalks are not clearly marked, crosswalk signals don’t work, traffic signals malfunction, and pedestrians and bicyclists are forced to share busy roadways.

As more of us are choosing to bike or walk to work or school, the probability of injuries increases. About 5,000 Americans lose their lives every year in pedestrian accidents – tens of thousands more are injured. More than three-quarters of cyclist deaths are caused by accidents involving motor vehicles. Most bicyclist fatalities involve serious head injuries. Tragically, one-fifth of pedestrian fatality victims are children.

Helmets have made bicycle riding safer, but not all jurisdictions require helmet use for adults. Speeding or distracted motorists can cause catastrophic injury. Negligence behind the wheel can be deadly for cyclists or pedestrians of all ages.

High fuel costs, a tough economy and a desire to ride rather than drive have increased the number of cyclists and pedestrians on busy streets – yet many streets have no bike lanes or safe paths. Sharing the road has proven to be deadly for many bicyclists and pedestrians in Oregon, California and Washington this past year.

If you were in a bicycle accident or pedestrian injury accident, and think you may have a claim, call D'Amore Law Group for a free case consultation. Pedestrian car accidents, bicycle car accidents – even bike pedestrian accidents – can cause long term injury or death. One man was killed in Bend, Oregon, as he walked his bicycle across the street in a crosswalk. Attorney Tom D'Amore is representing the man's family.

D'Amore Law Group has secured significant financial recovery on behalf of those injured in bicycle or pedestrian injury accidents, including:

$550-thousand dollar recovery for a pedestrian who was struck by a motor vehicle in a marked crosswalk in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries, including fractured femurs, a broken knee, torn shoulder and concussion. The recovery negotiated by Tom D'Amore, D'Amore Law Group, allowed the victim to receive needed, extended home care.