Certain areas of Portland seem to be plagued by higher than usual rates of bicycle accidents and injuries. In response to accidents that commonly occur in certain areas, officials have made efforts to reconfigure traffic and installing bike lanes. Unfortunately, it is too late for some victims. A recent lawsuit filed against the City of Portland by a past participant in the World Naked Bike Ride highlights the potential dangers and seeks to hold the city accountable for failing to do more to ensure bicycle safety.
Cyclist Claims City at Fault for Bike Accident Injuries
Thousands of people from all over the globe participate in the World Naked Bike Ride that the city of Portland unwittingly plays host to each year. According to a February 2018 report from OregonLive, officials now face legal ramifications after a past rider filed a lawsuit due to injuries he suffered in a collision after the event. The incident occurred in 2016, when a Portland man was headed home and collided with two concrete islands at the intersection of Southeast Morrison and 11th Avenue. The man ended up suffering a broken nose, arm, and fingers, and is now suing the city for more than $550,000 in damages.
According to the Portland Bureau of Transportation, there have been more than 300 accidents involving both motorists and bicyclists that occurred along a six-block section of the SR Morrison corridor over the past ten years. While the city has acknowledged that the traffic configuration in that area is unusual and confusing for those unfamiliar with the area, it does not specifically address the concrete islands as a danger. Morrison becomes a one-way street at a certain point, and the purpose of the islands is to encourage motorists to head left onto 11th Avenue, rather than going straight into head-on traffic. Since the 2016 accident, the city reconfigured that section of traffic, making Morrison one-way throughout the area and installing a separate bike lane.
Seeking Compensation for Bike Accident Injuries
The bicyclist injured after the Naked Bike Ride is seeking more than $60,000 in medical expenses through his lawsuit, along with $500,000 for pain and suffering. He claims the city was negligent in having the islands in the center of traffic and for not installing lights or reflectors on them, making them difficult to see. He did have reflectors on his own bike, but he was not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred. While attorneys for the city may argue that this contributed to the extent and seriousness of his injuries, he is likely still entitled to at least a portion of the damages he is claiming in his personal injury case.
If you have been injured as the result of a bike accident, either due to a motorist or other factors, contact the Johnston Law Firm right away. We can arrange a consultation with our Portland bike accident attorney, to discuss the compensation you may be entitled to in a claim. Call (503) 546-3167 today.