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

For people needing a bicycle lawyer in Portland, Oregon or who are dealing with a bike accident in Oregon or Washington:

Our attorneys are dedicated cyclists who have ridden tens of thousands of miles.  We are also highly-qualified lawyers handling bicycle injury and death cases in Oregon and Washington.  We provide free consultations and welcome inquiries from bicyclists and their families regarding cyclists’ rights, and options for dealing with insurance problems, injuries or death.  This page provides post-injury "do's and don'ts," and information about our firm's bicycle law practice.

Top Five Do's and Don'ts After A Bicycle Collision

If you have been in a bicycle accident, or been hurt by a roadway defect or product failure:

1. DO get medical attention.  Bicyclists, especially those who do not have health insurance, sometimes don't get the care they need right away.  You should know: When a bicyclist is hurt in a collision with a vehicle in Oregon or Washington, the bad driver's insurance company, or your own automobile insurer if you have one, is generally required to provide no-fault coverage called "Personal Injury Protection" or "PIP" that will pay for medical bills.  There are time limits and caps on these payments.  For example, in Oregon, PIP coverage is often limited to $15,000 for necessary treatment within one year.  Homeowners insurance policies often have a small amount of "medpay" coverage that can also help with medical bills.  Keep in mind that in most cases, insurance companies that make PIP, medpay or health insurance payments must be repaid in connection with a settlement or verdict.  In many situations, you will need a lawyer to help you navigate the insurance process.

2. DO talk to a lawyer right away.  A lawyer can check your statute of limitations and other deadlines, take immediate steps to preserve evidence, start insurance claims, assemble information needed for a demand or court filing, and give you case-specific advice about what you need to be doing.  While we hope it is helpful, the information on this page is not a substitute for legal advice.  Our firm offers free consultations for bicycle injury cases, and we encourage you to call. 

3. DON'T talk with the bad driver's insurance company about your claims.  Insurance company representatives are generally very personable.  Keep in mind, however, that the liability carrier's goal is to minimize the amount that it pays on claims.  Most injured cyclists who come to us have already given a recorded statement.  However, we advise clients who have not already done so not to give recorded statements.  This is because insurance company interviews are designed to help their lawyers deny or minimize claims.  It is preferable for people who have been hurt to provide a single, thorough statement at the proper time and place.  Sometimes that means a written statement, or a statement given with a lawyer for each side present.

4. DO save everything that relates to your case.  That includes your bicycle, helmet, clothing (save clothes in a paper bag without washing them), gloves, and any other damaged property.  It also includes all DMV, police, medical and insurance paperwork.

5. DO take photographs of your injuries and damaged property. 

Our Bicycle Law Practice

Our Portland-based lawyers have assisted injured bicyclists in recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars.  We believe we are able to represent bicyclists better because we are cyclists ourselves.  Attorney Scott F. Kocher is a graduate of Harvard Law School.  He has logged over 50,000 miles as a longtime commuter and former mountain bike racer.  His in-the-saddle experience includes an unsupported ride from Boston to Los Angeles. Mr. Kocher has served as the governor’s appointee to the Oregon Bicycle Advisory Committee, facilitating bike lanes and other improvements needed to make bicycling safer.  Attorney Richard J. Vangelisti is a regular bicycle commuter, and a lawyer since graduating from law school with high honors in 1995.  In 2007, Mr. Vangelisti and Mr. Kocher presented the Oregon State Bar's Bicycle Law continuing legal education program for attorneys.

If you have been injured, it is important to have a lawyer evaluate any claim you may have.  The law provides strict deadlines for bringing personal injury, insurance and wrongful death claims relating to a bicycle accident.

>> Contact Us. 

>> Read more about our attorneys.

Bicycle Law 2008 Seminar

Our attorneys co-presented the 2008 Oregon State Bar Bicycle Law CLE seminar for attorneys. 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.

Bike Commute Challenge

The 2007 numbers are in!

Congratulations to Partner Scott F. Kocher for once again leading the firm above and beyond its annual bike commute goal. Mr. Kocher rode approximately 3,300 miles--including more than 250,000 vertical feet uphill--by commuting over Skyline to the firm's West Hills offices in 2007.

Our Success in the News

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

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 in the event of an accident by up to 88 percent.  Learn more about helmets, lights, and other safety issues.

OUR SERVICE AREA:

Our attorneys are licensed in Oregon and Washington, and serve people who have been hurt throughout the Pacific Northwest.  The cities we serve include:

In Oregon:

Portland, Corvallis, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Albany, Ashland, Astoria, Bend, Condon, Coos Bay, Corvallis, Cottage Grove, Eugene, Florence, Forest Grove, Grants Pass, Gresham, Heppner, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, John Day, Junction City, Keizer, Klamath Falls, La Grande, Lake Oswego, Lakeview, Lebanon, Lincoln City, McMinnville, Medford, Milwaukie, Monmouth, Newberg, Newport,  Ontario, Oregon City, Pendleton, Prineville, Redmond, Roseburg, Salem, Sandy, Sisters, Springfield, St. Helens, Swet Home, The Dalles, Tigard, Tillamook, Troutdale, Tualatin, West Linn, Wilsonville, Woodburn.

In Washington:

Vancouver, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Battle Ground, Washougal, Longview, Kelso, Woodland, Long Beach, Battleground, Aberdeen, Bellingham, Everett, Shoreline, Port Angeles, Wenatchee, Spokane, Walla Walla, Kennewick, Yakima, Port Townsend, Redmond, Mill Creek, Kirkland, Bellevue, Renton, and Auburn.