Portland, Oregon: Laws designed to keep bicyclists safe from car accidents
Portland, Oregon has various laws in place designed to encourage motorists to share the road with bicycles. These laws include requiring driver's to avoid cyclists in various situations and enhancement to penalties if an accident involves a bicycle.
May 21, 2013
Portland, Oregon: Laws designed to keep bicyclists safe from car accidentsArticle provided by Phelan Law Office
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Bikers love Portland, Oregon. In fact, Bicycling.com recently ranked it among the top biker friendly cities in the nation due to its innovative programs "from designated bike-only areas at traffic signals to free bike lights."
Bicycling is a popular alternative to driving, providing an efficient form of transportation that not only helps commuters avoid getting stuck in traffic congestion but also helps save petroleum and improves one's health and well-being. As spring transitions into summer, driver's can expect to see more and more bikers taking advantage of these benefits and should expect to share the roads.
Unfortunately, when bicyclists and motorists share the same roadways accidents can happen.
Oregon law and bicycles
Oregon state law requires drivers to take certain steps to avoid conflict with bikers. Some of these steps include:
-Staying out of the bicycle lane
-Yielding to bicycles in the bicycle lane
-Yielding to bicycles at intersections
-Not honking at cyclists unless necessary
If a vehicle makes contact with a bicycle and causes injury to the cyclist, the driver may be charged with vehicular assault. Penalties associated with this conviction can include a monetary fine up to $6,250 and up to one year of imprisonment.
Drivers can face additional charges if found guilty of careless driving violations. Under Oregon law, penalties can be enhanced if careless driving led to the death or serious injury of a "vulnerable user of the public way." The law specifically includes cyclists in its definition of "vulnerable user." These enhancements can include up to 200 hours of community service, a monetary fine of up to $12,500 and one year suspended driver's license.
Remedies available if involved in an accident
Unfortunately, even with these progressive laws meant to deter dangerous driving and encourage motorists to respectfully share the road with bikers, accidents can still happen. The Portland Bureau of Transportation found the total number of bicycle crashes in Portland has increased and estimates that 271 bicycle accidents are investigated within the city every year.
If you are injured in a bicycle accident caused by a motorist's negligence, compensation may be available to cover missed wages, the cost of medical and rehabilitative expenses as well as pain and suffering. If injured in a car accident, contact an experienced Portland accident lawyer to discuss your situation and better ensure your legal rights and remedies are protected.