The Ugly Side of Bike City U.S.A.

Portland’s biking culture cannot be understated. The city made headlines when it became the first city in the U.S. to make protection the default for all new bike lanes. Today, all new and redesigned road projects must include protected bike lanes. The new safeguards have encouraged a surge of new riders. Between 2013 and 2014, the percentage of residents who commute by bike increased by 27 percent. The city now has one of the highest rates of bike commuters in the country: 7.2% of Portlanders choose a bike to get around town.

With more riders on busy Portland streets, more opportunities arise for cyclists and cars to coexist in a dangerous way. Collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles are more common than ever before. These collisions, while typically minor for motorists, often leave cyclists with severe injuries that pose a threat to their way of life.

Common Bike Accident Injuries

Although the majority of cycling accidents do not involve motor vehicles, the most traumatic accident injuries come from motor vehicle accidents. Cyclists can sustain a range of injuries after hitting a car. From basic bruises and scrapes to traumatic brain injuries and paralysis, riding a bike even with protection puts a life at great risk. Some of the more common injuries among Portland cyclists include:

• Fractured clavicles
• Hand fractures
• Broken legs
• Head and neck injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Brain injuries
• Nerve damage
• Dental and jaw damage
• Dislocated joints

Sustaining such injuries can lead to exorbitant medical costs you did not plan for; in the worst of cases, you may need medical care for life. With the right lawyer by your side, you could file a claim against the other party’s insurance company to receive the compensation you need for the damages associated with the accident.

Why Hire a Portland Bike Accident Lawyer?

Although you may feel confident about negotiating, insurance companies are incentivized to deny claims whenever possible. Additionally, insurance companies are known for enticing desperate parties with lowball settlement offers to resolve cases quickly, withholding much-needed funds. Richard Rizk knows all their schemes inside and out as he has years of previous experience working for large insurance companies that use these tactics to avoid paying the full value of what claimants need.
By working with a personable and focused attorney like Richard, you may be able to recover for:

• Past, present, and ongoing medical care
• Lost wages
• Lost work capacity due to your injuries
• Damage to your equipment
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life
• Punitive damages may be applicable in your case

Talk to Richard to discuss the facts of your case. He will launch a thorough investigation to ensure that you receive the funds you need to make a full recovery.

Richard Rizk spent over a decade working for insurers and employers. He learned how they think, and crafted their litigation style and legal theories. He knows the tricks they use and what it takes to fight them.

For the last sixteen years, Mr. Rizk has been working as a Portland bike accident lawyer who advocates for the injured. He does everything he can to make sure that insurance companies don’t take advantage of you. Given his past experience, he knows what it takes to get insurers and companies to pay the money owed to you.

If you suffered an injury in a bicycle accident, Richard Rizk Law Office can give you a free case evaluation. We are ready to provide knowledgeable legal advice. Call 503-245-5677 today to talk to a Portland bike accident lawyer who will fight for you or email [email protected].