OUR SUCCESS IN THE NEWS:

Bicyclist Recovers Over $209,000 in Collision Case. Read more.

Bicycle Accidents

We ride, we care, and we work for justice. 

Our attorneys are dedicated commuters and recreational cyclists who have ridden tens of thousands of miles.  We are also highly-qualified and experienced litigators and problem solvers.  We welcome inquiries from cyclists and their families with questions about cyclists’ rights, and options for dealing with insurance problems, injuries or death.  For a free consultation, call Jamie at 503-595-4131 or toll free at 1-800-800-1004.

The Numbers

With as many as 85 million people in the United States who ride bicycles, cycling is one of the most popular forms of recreation and transportation.  Around 750 people are killed each year in bicycle accidents in the United States.  Another 500,000 are injured.  Over 90 percent of bicycling deaths are caused by collisions with motor vehicles.  Many of those are children, and most involve brain injuries.  Despite these tragic facts, careful cycling compares favorably to car travel hour per hour:  a recent study indicates that travelers in passenger cars are almost twice as likely to die in an hour on the road compared to bicyclists. 

Preventing Bicycling Injuries

The single most important thing you can do to bicycle more safely is wear a helmet.  Studies show that helmets can reduce the chance of a brain injury by up to 88 percent. 

Helmet Basics

Take some time—plan on 10 to 15 minutes—to adjust your helmet straps carefully.  Follow the instructions that came with your helmet.  Generally, the ear and chin straps should meet right below your ear, as shown in the picture to the lower left.  The helmet should cover your forehead, but not be so low as to get in your eyes.  If the helmet has a plastic band around the inside, adjust it so that i t is snug but not uncomfortable, as directed in the helme t instructions.  The chin strap should be snug but not uncomfortable under your chin.  When you are done adjusting the straps, the helmet should not wobble when you shake or turn your head.  It should not move back or forward more than about an inch if you push and pull and jostle it with moderate pressure.  If you have trouble, take your helmet to a bicycle shop and ask if they have an employee who is experienced with helmet adjustments who can assist you.  If careful strap adjustment doesn’t give a proper fit, get a new helmet.  Choose white or another bright color for visibility.  Again, follow the instructions and warnings that come with the helmet.

Visibility Matters

When choosing your bicycle, helmet, clothes and other accessories, choose white or another bright color for visibility to help motorists see you.  In the event of a collision, the visibility of the colors you were wearing may affect your legal rights.  Similarly, if you failed to use reflectors and lights in low-visibility conditions, you may be less able to recover for injuries, even if the vehicle driver is otherwise at fault.  Reflectors should be clean and pointed to reflect straight back at the cars that need to see them.  Similarly, lights should be bright, and pointed so that cars can see them, not down or up.  New white-LED headlamps and taillights that flash greatly improve visibility at night, in the rain, and other low-visibility situations.  Although laws vary, most states require a white light in front and a red light in back, as well as reflectors, for riding at night.  Pedal and wheel reflectors greatly improve night visibility, and may be required in your state.  Some states require a solid (not flashing) headlight in front, which can be used in combination with a flashing light for even better visibility and safety. 

Ride Defensively and Legally

Safe cyclists ride defensively.  Expect that motorists are not paying attention, especially drivers pulling out of driveways or turning across your path.  Follow the law.  Bicycle route maps including guidelines for safe and legal riding around Portland are available in many area book stores and from the Metro Government web site. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance offers excellent resources, as well.

Report Hazards

Help everyone ride more safely.  Within the city of Portland, report roadway conditions that are hazardous to cyclists and pedestrians by emailing Jeff Smith and Roger Geller at the City of Portland.  Their email addresses are roger.geller[AT]pdxtrans.org and jeff.smith[AT]pdxtrans.org.  You will need to replace [AT] with @.  (We use [AT] here because Roger and Jeff have tough enough jobs without being flooded by spam bots.)  Make a note to check on the status of your report a week or two later.  To report a street sweeping, brush trimming, debris removal, or other very simple bike lane maintenance issue in Portland, you can call the City’s 24-hour maintenance emergency line at 503.823.1700.  For potholes and simple pavement repair needs you can call 503.823.BUMP.  Report a car or delivery vehicle parked in the bike lane in Portland by calling the City’s parking enforcement line at 503.823.5195. 

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident

Attorneys at Vangelisti Kocher LLP have assisted injured bicyclists in recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars.  We believe we are able to represent cyclists better because we are cyclists ourselves.  Attorney Richard J. Vangelisti is a regular bicycle commuter.  Attorney Scott F. Kocher has logged over 30,000 miles as a longtime commuter and former mountain bike racer.  His experience includes an unsupported ride from Boston to Los Angeles.  In addition, Scott has served as the governor’s appointee to the Oregon Bicycle Advisory Committee, advocating for bike lanes and other improvements needed to make bicycling safer. 

If you have been injured, it is important to have an Oregon lawyer or Washington lawyer evaluate any claim you may have.  The law provides strict deadlines for bringing personal injury, insurance and wrongful death claims.  

We welcome calls, and provide free initial consultations on cyclist rights, as well as injury and fatality accidents.  Even if you are not intending to sue, we urge you to call or email so that we can help you understand insurance processes and evaluate your options.  You may call 503-595-4131 or toll free 1-800-800-1004.  You can also contact us using our web form.

If we are not able to speak with you immediately, we will return your inquiry as soon as we can. Read more about our attorneys.

Cities Served:

Ada, Adair Village, Adams, Adrian, Agness, Airlie, Albany, Alicel, Alkali Lake, Allegany, Allston, Aloha, Alpine, Alsea, Amity, Antelope, Applegate, Arago, Arch Cape, Arlington, Arock, Ashland, Ashwood, Astoria, Athena, Aumsville, Aurora, Austin, Azalea, Baker City, Ballston, Bandon, Banks, Barview, Bates, Bay City, Beatty, Beaver, Beaver MArsh, Beaverton, Bellfountain, Bend, Biggs, Birkenfeld, Blachly, Blodgett, Blue River, Bly, Boardman, Bonneville, Boring, Breitenbush, Bridgeport, Brightwood, Broadbent, Brogan, Brookings, Brooks, Brothers, Brownsmead, Brownsville, Bunker Hill, Burlington, Burns, Burns Junction, Butte Falls, Buxton, Camas Valley, Camp Sherman, Canby, Cannon Beach, Canyon City, Canyonville, Cape Meares, Carlton, Cascade Locks, Cascade Summit, Cascadia, Cave Junction, Cayuse, Cecil, Celilo, Central Point, Charleston, Chemult, Chenoweth, Cherry Grove, Cheshire, Chiloquin, Christmas Valley, Clatskanie, Coburg, Colton, Columbia City, Condon, Coos Bay, Coquille, Cornelius, Corvallis, Cottage Grove, Cove, Crabtree, Crane, Crater Lake, Crawsfordsville, Crescent, Crescent Lake, Creswell, Crow, Culp Creek, Culver, Curtin, Detroit, Diamond, Diamond Lake, Dayville, Drew, Dufur, Dunes City, Echo, Estacada, Fort Klamath, Fossil, Gates, Garibaldi, Gearhart, Gilchrist, Greenhorn, Government Camp, Idanha, Klamath Agency, La Pine, Lakeview, Malian, Medford, Merlin, Myrtle Creek, McKenzie Bridge, Mill City, North Umpqua, Oakridge, Prospect, Rhododendron, Sandy, Sisters, Sunriver, Warm Springs, Welches, Westfir, Zigzag, Grass Valley, Hampton, Lonerock, Madras, Maupin, Metolius, Mitchell, Moro, Mosier, Paulina, Post, Prineville, Redmond, Rowena, Rufus, Shaniko, Spray, The Dalles, Wasco Adams, Elgin, Enterprise, Haines, Halfway, Heppner, Hermiston, Huntington, Imbler, Imnaha, Irrigon, Island City, John Day, Joseph, La Grande, Lexington, Long Creek, Lostine, Medical Springs, Milton-Freewater, Monument, Mt Vernon, North Powder, Oxbow, Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Prairie City, Richland, Seneca, Summerville, Sumpter, Ukiah, Umatilla, Union, Unity, Wallowa, Weston Adel, Drewsey, Frenchglen, Hines, Jordan Valley, Juntura, Lakeview, Nyssa, Ontario, Plush, Vale, Hebo, Nehalem, Manzanita, Neahkahnie, Oceanside, Pacific City, Rockaway Beach, Seaside, Tillamook, Warrenton, Wheeler, Depoe Bay, Florence, Gleneden Beach, Lincoln City, Mapleton, Newport, Otter Rock, Reedsport, Seal Rock, Siletz, Toledo, Waldport, Winchester Bay, Yachats, Gold Beach, Lakeside, Myrtle Point, North Bend, Port Orford, Powers, Wedderburn  Banks, Forest Grove, Gaston, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Marquam, Milwaukie, Molalla, North Plains, Oregon City, Portland, Rainier, Sandy, Scappoose, St. Helens, Tigard, Troutdale, Tualatin, Vernonia, West Linn, Wilsonville, Cave Junction, Canyonville, Central Point, Dillard, Drain, Eagle Point, Elkton, Glendale, Glide, Gold Hill, Grants Pass, Jacksonville, Klamath Falls, Oakland, Phoenix, Prospect, Riddle, Rouge River, Roseburg, Shady Cove, Sutherlin, Talent, Umpqua, White City, Winchester, Winston, Wolf Creek, Yoncalla, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Donald, Dundee, Eugene, Falls City, Gates, Gervais, Halsey, Harrisburg, Independence, Jefferson, Junction City, Keizer, Lebanon, Lowell, Lyons, McMinnville, Mill City, Millersburg, Mt.Angel, Molalla, Monmouth, Newberg, Oakridge, Oregon City, Philomath, Salme, Scio, Scott Mills, Sheridan, Silverton, Sodaville, Springfield, Stayton, St. Paul, Sublimity, Sweet Home, Tangerit, Turner, Veneta, Walterville, Waterloo, Willamina, Woodburn, Yamhill

Counties Served in Oregon:

Baker County, Benton County, Clackamas County, Clatsop County, Columbia County, Coos County, Crook County, Curry County, Deschutes County, Douglas County, Gilliam County, Grant County, Harney County, Hood River County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Josephine County, Klamath County, Lake County, Lane County, Lincoln County, Linn County, Malheur County, Marion County, Morrow County, Multnomah County, Polk County, Sherman County, Tillamook County, Umatilla County, Union County, Wallowa County, Wasco County, Washington County, Wheeler County, Yamhill County.

Alternate Spellings:

Atorney, Attroney, Attourney, Attornies, Atturnies,Atroney, Atorney, Atorneys, Attroney, Atturney, Atturneys, Attourneys, Attorneyship, Lowyer, Laywer,Lowyer, Lawyres, Lawyre, Lowyers, Laywers, Layre, Lawer, Premies, Permesis, Primesis, Primisis, Liabilitie, Laibility, Laibilitie,  Mesotheluim, Mesetheliem, Mesothleium, Mesothlieum, Abstestos, Apestos, Abpestos, Deafective, Dafective, Dafektive,  Nurseing, Accdents, Acidents, Orgon, Orge, Oregan, Washton, Washingten, Portlond, Portlund, Litgation Litagtion, Litation,Therepy, Therpy, Tharpy, Solicator, Solicators, Judgement, Judgements

2007 Bicycle Law Seminar

Our attorneys presented the 2007 Oregon State Bar Bicycle Law CLE seminar for attorneys on June 14, 2007.  Please call Jamie at 503-595-4131 to request the written materials from this presentation.  Video and written materials are also available from the OSB.