BICYCLE INJURIES

I focus my practice on representing injured bicyclists and I take a great amount of pride in representing them. In my practice, I work to make the legal process less intense and stressful, which allows my clients to focus on getting back on the saddle and riding again. 

 

One thing that sets me apart from other attorneys that represent injured bicyclists is that I am a daily, all seasons, bicycle commuter and I am deeply involved in Portland’s bicycle culture.  As a bike rider, I have an intuition for bicycle injury cases. In analyzing and prosecuting bicycle cases, I have a different perspective than an attorney who is a car-only commuter. In countless cases, I have built my reputation on my professional and diligent representation of bicyclists. Most adults haven’t ridden a bike since they were children.  That includes lawyers.  For a lawyer to truly call themselves a “bicycle lawyer” like I do, they need to regularly ride the streets and talk to other cyclists about the latest conflicts and dangers.     

 

As a cyclist, I know and understand the unique aspects and challenges that a bicycle case presents. I know how to deal with the facts and biases that make it more likely for a bicyclist’s claims to be denied. Often times, the blame gets shifted.  I call this the “bicycle tax”  in personal injury cases.  Insurance adjusters still see bicycles as toys or novelties, not as vehicles, and therefore view their operators as children.  It takes a skilled and experienced bicycle lawyer to prepare  and present a case to an adjuster or a jury to avoid the “bicycle tax.” 

 

I also work to educate and inform bicyclists and motorists about their rights and responsibilities.  I have presented legal clinics to many cycling and professional groups, as well as trained other attorneys about Oregon’s bicycle laws.

 

I invite you to visit my standalone Oregon bicycle law website and my page dedicated to Motor Vehicle Collisions.