Portland’s growing population means a lot of traffic. We don’t just mean commuters heading to work on highways and interstates. There are plenty of locals and tourists on Portland’s streets each week. When accidents occur downtown, on city streets, or in residential neighborhoods, you can count on personal injury attorney Rob Kline for legal guidance.
If you were in a car, bike, or pedestrian accident, our team is here to help. To discuss what happened, contact our trusted traffic accident attorney near me law firm, reach out to our Portland law office today. You can also reach Rob Kline and his team by calling (503) 224-6246.
What Makes Portland City Traffic So Dangerous?
There are many factors that contribute to dangerous driving and cycling conditions. Portland’s Vision Zero program identified some of the leading causes of traffic fatalities in the city and its surrounding area:
- Excessive Speed: Speeding is a leading cause of traffic collisions nationwide. According to the National Safety Council, speeding played a role in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2023.
- Wide Roads: Wide roads are any streets that are four or more lanes wide, not counting freeways. When roads are very wide, drivers are prone to speeding. Similarly, wide roads take longer to cross, which means greater danger for cyclists and pedestrians.
- Lack of Lighting: A 2024 report from Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) noted several issues with Portland’s streets. The report noted the dangers of poor lighting. Roughly 70% of all PDX traffic fatalities occurred in poorly lit areas or low-light conditions.
- Drug and Alcohol Impairment: When people drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their decision-making skills and reaction times are seriously impaired. These drivers put their lives and the lives of countless others at risk.
- Motor Vehicle Size: Larger vehicles can cause more serious injuries even at low speeds. These vehicles also have bigger blind spots than smaller commuter vehicles. Since the market share of large vehicles has gone up over the years, so too has the severity of injuries in traffic collisions.
Dangerous Streets and Intersections in Portland
Portland’s High Crash Network refers to the most dangerous roads and intersections in the city, many of which are east of the Willamette River. The most dangerous streets included Northeast Marine Drive, Southeast Powell Boulevard, and 122nd Avenue.
Attempts have been made to improve road safety throughout Portland, but sometimes these measures aren’t enough. KPTV Fox 12 reported on the many dangers of Northeast Glisan Street. Despite the protected bike lane, designated crosswalks, and attempts to narrow the road and slow down traffic, accidents still happen. When collisions occur, it’s worth reaching out to an attorney to discuss your legal options.
How Long Do I Have to File a Traffic Accident Lawsuit in Oregon?
Per Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) § 12.110, you typically have two years from the date of a traffic collision to file a legal action. Once that two-year deadline has expired, you will no longer be able to file a lawsuit.
There are some exceptions to this two-year statute of limitations depending on the circumstances of the accident and the parties involved, which can result in even shorter legal deadlines. Regardless, it’s best to speak with a traffic accident attorney near you as soon as possible.
How a Local Traffic Accident Attorney Can Help
A local attorney like Rob Kline knows Portland’s streets, traffic, and propensity for crashes. A long-time resident, he can use his knowledge of past collisions to help build a strong case.
A large national firm won’t have the same understanding of the local streets, changes in the road infrastructure, or community concerns about accidents as a Portland-based attorney.
Why You Should Hire Rob Kline After a Serious Accident
There are a few key reasons why the people of Portland trust Rob Kline and his team for compassionate and reliable legal counsel:
- Experience: Rob Kline has over 25 years of legal experience. He knows Oregon personal injury law inside and out, helping countless locals involved in serious traffic accidents.
- Perspective: Rob Kline started his legal career advocating for large corporations and insurance companies. He’s since turned to representing Portland’s accident victims and their families. He knows how the other side operates, and he can use that knowledge to your advantage.
- Recognition: Rob Kline is a top-rated accident lawyer. He holds a perfect 10.0 “Superb” score on Avvo and earned the prestigious AV Preeminent® peer-review rating from Martindale-Avvo, the highest level of professional excellence.
Get a Free Consultation with a Skilled Portland Traffic Accident Lawyer
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in an auto collision, you can count on Rob Kline and his team for help. He’s represented motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and people who’ve lost loved ones in fatal crashes. For a free and confidential case review, contact our Portland law office today.
Auto Accidents in the Portland Area
It’s estimated that there are 10,000–12,000 traffic accidents in Portland every year. This number includes minor collisions as well as fatal accidents. When serious car, pickup, and SUV crashes happen, Rob Kline and his team help survivors hold negligent parties accountable.
We can thoroughly investigate the accident site and any available evidence to help pinpoint the cause of the crash and any contributing factors. Our team will help negotiate a good settlement with the insurance company, and we won’t back down if it’s in your best interests to seek legal damages in court. For anyone affected by accidents caused by drunk drivers, we can help you seek damages for the harm the irresponsible driver caused.
Crashes with Other Types of Motor Vehicles
In addition to commuter crashes in the Portland, our team can also assist with traffic accidents involving other types of vehicles.
- Uber and Lyft Accidents: Rideshare accidents pose a number of challenges depending on the circumstances of the crash and whether an Uber or Lyft driver had a fare at the time.
- Semi-Truck Accidents: Collisions with tractor-trailers on city streets typically happen while these vehicles are changing lanes or making wide turns.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists sometimes take chances in Portland traffic, darting between cars or speeding through busy intersections to beat a red light.
- Delivery Vehicle Accidents: Many commuters have to compete with the sheer number of Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and USPS drivers on the road. When you also consider delivery drivers for restaurants, the risk for accidents goes up even more.
Bicycle Accidents in the Greater Portland Area
Portland has a great cycling culture, with countless people in the area riding their bikes for recreation, to get to work, and run errands around the city. The risk of bicycle accidents is always present, no matter how omnipresent cyclists are on our streets.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Portland Traffic
Some of the most common causes of bicyclist traffic accidents in Portland include:
- Refusal to Share the Road: Some drivers are reluctant to share the road with bicyclists or give cyclists enough room while they ride in traffic.
- Reckless Drivers: Drivers who speed or refuse to yield the right of way to cyclists in traffic could cause major accidents.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers who text behind the wheel or are otherwise distracted may not notice a nearby cyclist, which can cause a major accident.
- Failure to Check Blind Spots: Bicyclists often get lost in drivers’ blind spots, especially if the driver is in an SUV or a large pickup truck.
- Dooring: When occupants of parked or stopped cars aren’t careful, they could hit a bicyclist as they open the vehicle door.
- Poor Road Maintenance: Potholes, damaged streets, and other hazardous conditions in the road can all lead to a bicyclist losing control.
Traffic Injuries Can Be Catastrophic for Cyclists
Even if a bicyclist is wearing a helmet, the potential injuries from a traffic accident can be significant. Rob Kline and his team have assisted local bicyclists who’ve suffered catastrophic injuries, including severe neck and spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Pedestrian Accidents in the Greater Portland Area
While Portland is a walkable city in many respects, that doesn’t mean the Portland is free from pedestrian accidents. People on foot need to exercise additional caution whenever they are out and about in the city, especially at night. Even if you stick to sidewalks and only cross at crosswalks, there’s always a risk of serious injuries when vehicles are present.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian traffic accidents in Portland include:
- Low Light/Lack of Lighting: As previously mentioned, the risk of a fatal or catastrophic accident is higher when it’s dark or there is very little light on a street.
- Distracted Driving: Any time a driver takes their eyes off the road or their hands off the steering wheel, it increases the dangers to pedestrians and others nearby.
- Poor Intersection Design: Some intersections have structures or features that obstruct the view of drivers as well as pedestrians, making accidents more likely.
- Other Dangerous Road Conditions: When traffic lights are out, crosswalks are missing, or road signs are not visible, it increases the chances of a collision.
Check Out Our Helpful Guide for Oregon Pedestrians
If you live in PDX, we encourage you to download the Oregon Pedestrian Law Guide 2.0. The information can help you stay informed when it comes to local street safety. We also encourage you to read our blog about jaywalking laws in Oregon and other important topics relevant to traffic safety and potential accidents.
Legal Options When Traffic Accident Victims Are Children
When traffic accidents occur near Portland schools or public parks, there’s a major risk of children being severely injured.
The pediatric medical bills can be steep, and long-term effects on a child’s growth and development are of great concern. In addition, kids who’ve been injured in traffic accidents could have lasting emotional scars and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from what they’ve experienced.
Rob Kline and his team can help parents file legal actions to account for any injuries to children. While ORS § 12.160 extends the statute of limitations for accidents that involve minors, it remains in your family’s best interests to speak with a Portland traffic accident attorney near you as soon as possible.
Damages in Traffic Accident Cases
Following a major traffic accident, Rob Kline can help you seek compensation to address the losses you experienced as a result.
Economic damages refer to losses that have a concrete value or dollar amount. Examples of economic damages include medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost wages, and lost future earning potential.
Non-economic damages refer to different kinds of non-monetary losses that still significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and physical disfigurement.
Punitive damages do not compensate the plaintiff but instead punish the defendant for their actions. These are not commonly awarded in the state of Oregon. ORS § 31.730 points out strict conditions under which punitive damages may be recoverable. While evaluating your case, Rob Kline and his team can discuss whether or not punitive damages may apply to your traffic accident.
Legal Damages After a Fatal Traffic Collision
If you lose a family member in a fatal traffic collision, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable party. These kinds of legal actions seek damages to address the economic and non-economic losses associated with the loss of a loved one.
Damages in a wrongful death lawsuit can cover funeral expenses, loss of your loved one’s future income, grief counseling, and loss of consortium.
You Can Still Seek Compensation If You Are Partly at Fault
Even if you were partly to blame in a traffic accident, you may still be able to recover damages. This is because Oregon is a modified comparative negligence state (ORS § 31.600). This means you can still receive damages as long as you are less than 50% at fault. Your percentage of liability will be deducted from the jury award.
You should never admit any fault to the insurance company following a traffic accident. Instead, speak with a lawyer you can trust who can help you present a compelling case and maximize compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our Portland Traffic Accident Attorney Near Me Law Firm
Don’t hesitate to speak with legal representation after a crash. Rob Kline and his team can help you understand what steps to take next to secure compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced traffic accident attorney near you, contact our law office in Portland, OR. Our team is also available by phone at (503) 224-6246.
