Salem Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Salem is right up there with Portland and Eugene as a “cycling hotbed,” and numbers in the “top 50 bike-friendly cities” across the country that are selected every year. Like Medford, Salem has a bicycle “master plan” for adding on to the already numerous bike lanes now running alongside major and minor city streets. This is wonderful for the environment; not always so wonderful for bicyclists. More bicycles sharing the road means more potential for bicycle accidents. Sadly, the most serious injuries result when a bicycle and an automobile collide. When a car and a bicycle collide – there is no question which one will take the brunt of the impact. In 2013, over 19,000 cyclists were in reported accidents around the country; of those nearly 16,000 were “slightly injured.” More disturbingly, there were 3,000 accidents that caused serious injury to the cyclist – or death. Some of the more frequent causes for cycling accidents are:

• Minor child playing on bicycle or riding too fast
• Cyclists riding into the path of a motorist

• Motorists turning into or across the path of the
• Cyclists riding off the pavement into the path of a motorist

A bicyclist is more at risk than even a motorcyclist when it comes to a collision with a car, as they do not wear as much protective “gear” as motorcyclists do. While the helmet offers some protection for the head, the body is uncovered, which means that the back is particularly vulnerable, and this is a delicate area. An injury to a rider’s back or neck may seem relatively insignificant initially, but it can quickly escalate into a serious and chronic problem. This is why it is so vital to see a doctor after an accident, even if you think you “feel fine.” People often do not realize how seriously they are injured until hours after the fact; this is especially true in bicycle accidents. Even if you think your accident is minor, it is imperative that you get advice from an experienced attorney immediately; we can guide and advise you about speaking with the police and the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster. Sometimes these conversations can have a negative impact on your case, depending on what is said and discussed. At Shlesinger & deVilleneuve, our dedicated and highly-skilled attorneys are dedicated to negotiating a fair settlement that serves your best interests, or we will litigate on your behalf! Call our office; we will get back to you the same day to set up a complimentary consultation. We work on behalf of our personal injury clients on a contingency basis; there is never any fee unless there is a recovery. At Shlesinger & deVilleneuve, our client’s welfare comes first – we will fight for you – when you cannot!