Educate Yourself Before You Hire an Oregon Personal Injury Lawyer

Bicycle vs Bicycle Collision on Hawthorne Bridge | Portland Bike Lawyers

Date: April 28, 2009
Locatiion: Hawthorne Bridge
Type: Bicycle Collision
Names: Erica Rothman

There's been lots of talk about the bike vs bike collision on the Hawthorne Bridge last Wednesday, May 6.  The man who appears to have caused the collision has not yet been named for some reason.  He claims he is an active member of the biking community, and therefore wants to remain anonymous.  Good for him, and that's fine, but here's what steams me up:

The victim of this bike vs bike accident, Erica Rothman, is pretty beat up, as you can see.  The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is collecting funds to help pay for her medical bills, which is nice of them, or course.  But here's the thing:  the guy who caused this ought to be paying.  Ms. Rothman says in her account that "I don’t want to take this guy to court with the intent to take him to the cleaners or anything."  Well, she should be made aware that she doesn't have that option.  What she does have is the option to get him to pay her medical bills, and, if she chooses, a fair and just amount of money for the trouble she's gone through.   If he has homeowner's insurance, they will pay.

This office has successfully collected homeonwers insurance from a careless bicycle rider who collided with another bicycle rider.  Erica Rothman should not have to shoulder the burden of her injuries, her medical bills, her damaged mode of transportation, and the potential financial disaster this all could cause.  The guy who hit her should.

Important questions to consider when hiring a lawyer:
Does the lawyer understand how to help me pay my medical bills after an accident?
What about testimonials?
What kind of time limits are involved?
What if I have a smaller case?
Are there any hard rules to follow when looking for a great personal injury lawyer?