Salem Bike & Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Advocating for Wrongfully Injured Cyclists & Pedestrians in Albany & Keizer
While any traffic accident can be devastating, pedestrians and bicyclists are especially vulnerable to serious injuries due to the lack of protection surrounding them. Staggering healthcare costs and long recovery times can leave victims facing constant financial stress. If you were harmed by another’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to worry about affording vital medical care or supporting your family.
At Johnson & Taylor, our bicycle and pedestrian accident lawyers are committed to pursuing justice and accountability for the wrongfully injured. Since our founding in 2012, we have focused on providing personalized, non-mill service with direct attorney access and hands-on attention. With over a decade of experience and more than $50 million recovered for our clients, our trial-ready attorneys refuse to settle for lowball offers and are prepared to take cases to court against insurers and corporations.
If you were injured while biking or walking in Salem, we protect your rights while you focus on healing. Call (971) 318-5516 to schedule a free consultation. Se habla español.
You're not just a number
Every case represents a person, a family, and a future
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Rear-End Collision Medical Liens Fully Waived
Rear-end accident victim sustained injuries that persisted for some time and required surgery. Medical costs alone were double the available insurance funds from all applicable insurance policies. We were able to get all medical liens waived and client ended up with a majority of the funds from insurance.
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Pedestrian Accident Maximized Available Insurance Coverage
Pedestrian sustained broken bones when struck by a borrowed vehicle in a marked crosswalk. Client had health insurance but no auto insurance. We sought recovery from the insurance company who insured the vehicle AND the insurance company who insured the driver. Client was able to recover a substantial amount of money.
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Car Accident Reduced Outstanding Medical Bill Balance
As a result of a car accident, client sustained serious injuries which required costly surgery. Client did not have health insurance to cover additional medical expenses beyond the no-fault provisions of her own policy. Through persuasive negotiations with medical providers, we were able to secure offers from the medical providers to substantially reduce or write-off the outstanding balances to enable payment of all medical bills and compensation to client.
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Pedestrian Accident Recovered from Multiple Policies
Pedestrian suffered traumatic internal injuries as a result of a trip and fall over a raised portion of sidewalk. Despite disputes over who maintained the sidewalk and the cause of the raised portion between the two adjacent property owners, we were able to secure significant settlements against both homeowner policies, reduce medical liens by tens of thousands of dollars, and put a generous amount of money in client’s pocket.
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Bicycle Accident Full Compensation Recovered
Bicyclist vs vehicle collision where client sustained soft tissue injuries. Despite reasonable evidence as to fault, insurance company denied liability and would not offer any compensation to client. We filed a lawsuit and just over two months later the insurance company paid our client’s full demand and attorney fees as well.
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Bicycle Accident Overcame Liability Challenges
Teenager riding bike in or near a construction zone and hit by a vehicle while riding through a crosswalk. Despite an unfavorable witness and the teenager not wearing a helmet, able to work out a great settlement.
Recovering Damages in a Bike or Pedestrian Accident Claim
Injured parties may be entitled to various damages in a bicycle or pedestrian accident claim.
Common types of recoverable compensation include:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Personal property damage
- Lost wages and earning capacity
Our attorneys calculate economic and non-economic damages to pursue an outcome that reflects the full scope of your injuries and losses. We leave no stone unturned in our exhaustive investigations to maximize your available compensation. Because we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee structure, you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.
Proving Liability in Bicycle & Pedestrian Accidents
Proving liability is one of the most challenging steps in recovering damages after a bike or pedestrian accident, so it's critical to consult our time-tested injury lawyers as soon as possible. We investigate the accident to identify liable parties and help you meet the burden of proof in your claim. For example, when an insurance company outright denied liability for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle, our attorneys filed a lawsuit and successfully obtained payment for our client's full demand plus attorney fees.
Below are the legal elements required to establish liability:
- Duty of care. The defendant owed you a duty of care, such as obeying traffic signs and yielding to pedestrians.
- Breach of duty. The defendant breached their duty by acting negligently, such as running a red light or driving while intoxicated.
- Causation. The accident and injuries would not have occurred if not for the defendant’s negligence.
- Damages. The victim suffered actual losses (damages) as a result of the defendant’s breach.
Importance of Working with Our Bicycle & Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
The last thing you need after a serious injury is additional stress. Having the right lawyer on your side can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case.
Some advantages of choosing our top-rated injury law firm include:
Anticipating Potential Defense Strategies
Drivers who strike unprotected individuals usually try to deflect the blame by claiming a cyclist darted into traffic, a pedestrian wasn’t in a marked crosswalk, or a victim wasn’t wearing bright clothing. We counter these blame-shifting tactics with thorough investigations and strong, evidence-backed cases. In one instance, our firm secured a favorable settlement for a teenager hit in a crosswalk despite unfavorable witness testimony and the cyclist not wearing a helmet.
Securing Time-Sensitive Evidence
Unlike a high-speed collision between two heavy vehicles, bicycle and pedestrian crashes leave very little physical evidence behind on the roadway. We act swiftly to track down security footage, traffic camera recordings, and eyewitnesses before memories fade or crucial video files are permanently overwritten.
Untangling Complex Insurance & PIP Policies
Your own auto insurance’s personal injury protection (PIP) typically kicks in to cover initial medical expenses, even if you were walking or cycling. We coordinate communications between health insurance, PIP coverage, and the at-fault driver’s liability policy so you can focus entirely on your physical recovery. When a pedestrian sustained broken bones after being struck by a borrowed vehicle in a marked crosswalk, we successfully sought recovery from the vehicle owner's insurance and the driver's insurance to maximize compensation.
Calculating Long-Term Damages
Because pedestrians and cyclists lack the metal framework and airbags of a passenger vehicle, the resulting injuries can be life-altering. We partner with medical providers and other relevant professionals to project the true, lifelong cost of ongoing physical therapy, future surgeries, diminished earning capacity, and other losses. As one firm offering three practices under one roof, we can also seamlessly coordinate overlapping legal needs, such as establishing a special needs trust to protect your long-term financial stability following a catastrophic injury.
Negotiating with Pushy Insurance Adjusters
Insurance companies know that injured pedestrians and cyclists are often in immense pain, making them vulnerable to lowball, fast-cash settlement offers. We take over all communication with the adjusters to prevent you from being pressured, rushed, or manipulated into accepting less than you deserve.
Don’t pay the price for someone else’s carelessness. Our firm advocates for the compensation you deserve. Contact us online to request a free case evaluation.
Our FAQ
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Many bicycle and pedestrian accidents result from distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, impaired driving, unsafe left turns, and drivers who fail to check for cyclists or pedestrians before changing lanes or opening vehicle doors. Determining exactly how the crash occurred is an important part of establishing liability and pursuing compensation.
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Because cyclists and pedestrians have little protection during a collision, they often suffer severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal injuries, facial fractures, road rash, and permanent disabilities. Even injuries that initially seem minor can worsen, making prompt medical treatment essential.
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If your loved one passed away in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to seek justice in a wrongful death claim. The lawsuit must be brought by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate on behalf of qualifying beneficiaries, such as spouses, children, parents, and other immediate family members.
Because our firm handles personal injury, family law, and estate planning under one roof, overlapping legal needs—such as a tragic death triggering a wrongful death claim and complex probate administration—do not require you to hire a second law firm. We have a deep understanding of wrongful death and survival actions to help grieving families navigate their options and pursue accountability from negligent parties.
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Yes. Helmets are only required for bicyclists under the age of 16 (ORS 814.485(1)). Failing to wear a helmet cannot be used as a defense or as evidence to reduce damages, even if the cyclist was legally required to wear one (ORS § 814.489).
A common misconception is that you cannot recover damages if you are even slightly responsible for the bike accident. However, Oregon’s modified comparative negligence rule allows you to recover damages as long as your fault is 50% or less.
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If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may still have options for recovering compensation. Depending on the circumstances, uninsured motorist coverage, available evidence, and witness testimony may help support your claim. An attorney can investigate the collision and explore every available source of financial recovery.
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Yes. Poorly maintained sidewalks, missing crosswalk markings, potholes, obstructed signs, inadequate lighting, and unsafe roadway design may contribute to serious accidents. In some situations, a government entity, contractor, or property owner may share responsibility if hazardous conditions played a role in causing the incident. For example, when a pedestrian suffered traumatic internal injuries after tripping over a raised sidewalk, we secured significant settlements against both adjacent homeowner policies despite disputes over who was responsible for maintaining the property.
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Yes. Adrenaline can temporarily mask pain after a traumatic event, and some injuries do not produce immediate symptoms. Seeking prompt medical attention protects your health while creating documentation that may help connect your injuries to the accident if you pursue a personal injury claim.
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Every case is different. Factors that may affect the value of a claim include the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, future treatment needs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, and whether permanent impairments affect your daily life. A thorough evaluation helps you consider all recoverable damages.
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Possibly. Crossing outside of a marked crosswalk does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation. Oregon's comparative negligence laws may still allow recovery if another party's negligence contributed to the accident and your share of fault does not exceed the legal threshold.
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Early legal representation helps preserve important evidence before it disappears. An attorney can obtain surveillance footage, interview witnesses, secure accident reports, communicate with insurance companies, document your damages, and begin building a strong case while you concentrate on your medical recovery.
Our legal team offers a true hometown advantage; our Salem office is conveniently located near the courthouse, providing our attorneys with deep familiarity with local courts and judges. Backed by hundreds of five-star reviews and an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, our firm offers the proven, steady representation you need when it matters most.
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“Johnson and Taylor law does phenomenal work! I had several injuries that took up most of my time and figuring out the business aspect of my car accident was a rabbit hole. I reached out to James and he was more than happy to help.”- Nicole G.
We believe the best results come from having the right people beside you from the very beginning. That means taking the time to understand your situation, staying connected throughout your case, and making sure you feel supported every step of the way.