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Bicycle Injury

Portland, Oregon Bicycle Accident Attorneys


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Our Background

Thomas, Coon, Newton & Frost was Oregon’s first law firm to devote a significant portion of its practice to representing injured bicycle riders.  In 1982, partner Ray Thomas began writing a regular legal column in Oregon Cycling Magazine.  Since that time, we have represented hundreds of bicyclists in Portland and across Oregon in personal injury cases—significantly more than any other law firm in the state—and provided informal advice about the claim process to hundreds more.  Portland bicycle accident attorneys Ray Thomas, Jim Coon, Cynthia Newton and Chris Thomas have more than 75 years of combined experience helping bicyclists obtain compensation for injuries caused by negligent road users.

Beyond the practice of law, TCNF attorneys take pride in active community involvement.  They advocate in the Oregon legislature for improved laws for people bicycling and walking, and they regularly speak about bicycle law to other lawyers, law enforcement, and members of the public.

Part of what makes us effective bicycle advocates is our significant experience riding on Oregon’s roadways.  We ride regularly for transportation, fitness and competition, allowing us to understand collisions from the perspective of bicyclists and other vulnerable road users.

How we can help

After a collision, many of our clients find themselves in unfamiliar territory.  As a result of another person’s negligence, they are injured, and often cannot work and have a broken bike.  Instead of focusing on their recovery, they are confronted with a barrage of calls, emails, and letters from an array of insurance adjusters with different motives.  We serve as the client’s advocate and point of contact throughout that process, ensuring that property damage, medical expenses, and wage loss are paid by the appropriate insurers, so that our client can focus on getting well.  When our clients have recovered, we also make a liability claim against the at-fault party, in which we work to fully compensate our clients for their losses.

To learn about the experiences of past clients, see our client testimonials and reviews.

 

Public outreach

Over the years, we have engaged in many efforts to educate Oregon bicyclists about their rights and responsibilities on the roadway.

Since 1993, TCNF lawyers have presented regular bicycle legal clinics to groups of citizens across the state at bike shops, community centers, and places of employment.  The clinics cover topics like bike lane use, when a rider may take the lane, lighting requirements, sidewalk riding, insurance, and what to do if you are in a crash.

In 2000, partner Ray Thomas first published Pedal Power: A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists.  The guide includes relevant state and local bicycle laws and articles discussing practical application of the law.  Pedal Power, published jointly with the City of Portland and now in its eighth edition, is distributed free to attendees of our bicycle legal clinics.

In response to the rapid growth in electric bikes on Oregon’s roads, in 2018 TCNF released Oregon E-Bike Rights: A Legal Guide for Electric Bike Riders, now in its second edition.

TCNF also produces wallet-sized bike-rights cards that provide bullet point summaries of Oregon bicycle law.  Keep an eye out for these cards at your local bike shop, or download a copy here.

Bicycling experience

Our experience as bicyclists allows us to appreciate the perspective of our clients on the roadway.  In 1991, Ray Thomas and Jim Coon established one of Portland’s longest running group rides, known as the Lawyer Ride, which winds through the west hills of Portland at lunchtime twice per week.  Cynthia Newton regularly commutes by bike from her home in northeast Portland, and associate Chris Thomas is a longtime commuter and member of the firm-sponsored TCNF.Legal Racing Team.

Additional resources

For more information about our bicycle injury law practice, please see our bicycle-specific website OregonBikeLaw.com, or our blog posts on bicycle law.

 

Get In Touch

(503) 228-5222
Bicycle Injury

Representative Cases

Bicyclist v Garbage Truck Right Hook 2020

As our client rode to work in the bike lane of NE Multnomah Street in Portland, she was right hooked by a garbage truck that turned across the bike lane, knocking her onto the pavement and causing fractures of her…
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Car-Doored - Cyclist v. Pizza Delivery Company 2020

Our client, a 62-year-old husband, father of two and executive working for the State of Oregon, rode his bicycle home on his customary afternoon route through the West Hills.  Near his house, he approached a pizza delivery car parked at…
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Bicyclist Training for Race Across Oregon 2020

Our client was finishing a long training ride in a remote area and was struck from behind by a pickup truck. The impact broke the outside rear view mirror off the vehicle and the driver sped off leaving the rider…
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Thanks & Praise

Testimonials

  • Thanks to the amazing advocacy
    of Attorney Chris Thomas and his paralegal Amber Pollard at Thomas, Coon, Newton, and Frost Law Firm, I was paid by the insurance company of those-who-own-the-tree-roots for the repair my 1999 Georgena Terry Trixie bicycle. I crashed in July of 2022. I was initially denied compensation to repair by the landowner's insurance company. Repair was completed by Rob English English Cycles LLC in Eugene (with transportation from Portland to Eugene and back by his buddy Eric Dungey @colorworkspalette) in late fall 2022. I paid out of pocket. Then Chris Thomas (and Amber Pollard) from TCNF Law Firm recovered my losses in full!!!!!! So happy and grateful. If you need an attorney for a bike accident, bike damage or any other personal injury, workman's comp or social security issues, Chris and Amber are fabulous.
    Amy C.
  • Excellent Advice and Compassion
    Cynthia and Kristin,

    Thank you both for all your excellent advice and compassion. I am hoping to get back on my bike when the weather warms up.

     
    - Joan, Oregon Gorge cyclist
  • I was struck by a car while riding my bike on 9/29/2020.
    I contacted Thomas, Coon, Newton and Frost and they handled everything. They guided me thru the process and got me a settlement that took care of my medical bills and also left a significant amount left over for me. I am going to use the extra money to go ride in Europe (Alpe d'huez, Mont Ventoux, Col de Tourmalet, etc.), which has always been a dream of mine. They do a terrific job. I hope I never need their services again, but if I do find myself in a position where I need them, I know they will be exceptional. I highly recommend the firm.
    Joe D.
  • I had a really great experience working with Chris Thomas and his associates/assistants.
    They were always kind, proactive, and responsive. My case was settled in a timely manner and I was totally satisfied with the outcome. I hope I never need legal representation again for a personal injury case, but if I do, I won't hesitate to contact them. I highly recommend Chris and his firm!
    Elyse J.
  • Working with Thomas, Coon, Newton & Frost has been relieving.
    That is the only word I can find that explains my experience.

    After a potentially life-ending accident, everyone on their team was supportive, respectful and thorough. I was worried about many things after being struck by a car, but none of those were regarding my representation. I'm not sure how I would have managed without them. I can't say enough about the professionalism, kindness and  diligence of these good folks.

    I consider myself lucky to be healthy, lucky to have amazing people in my life, and lucky to have chosen Chris Thomas and his team to help me get my life back to normal.
    Kyle A.
  • Chris helped me through a bike crash against a car that didn't stop in a STOP sign.
    I really appreciated the calm, honorable and disciplined approach of the firm. They really allowed me to take the care I needed to recover, without rushing me, prioritizing taking the time and attention I needed to heal well. They took care of everything, and only reached out every now and then to keep me posted and to make decisions.
    Don't be intimidated about working with attorneys; this firm acts with integrity and are fiduciaries for their clients.
    Joseba
  • I would like to let you know how much I appreciate the superb job that Cynthia Newton and Chris Thomas have done.
    They represented me with amazing professionalism in my bike accident case. Despite the insurance company's claim, they proved that the accident happened due to my opposing party's fault. They had a very difficult task at hand since there was no police report, and it was several months after my accident when I was advised to see your law firm, where the best bike accident attorneys are in Portland.

    Cynthia was ready to take my very difficult case, that resulted a settlement with the insurance company. Cynthia always informed me, explained what to expect, that helped me understand her job. I met Chris for the first time at the deposition. I was amazed by his series of elegant questions that helped to prove that the insurance company's statements were wrong.

    Cynthia and Chris are not only excellent attorneys, but also very kind and lovely people. Additionally, both are dedicated bikers.

    Finally, I should appreciate Rebecca Cassady's and Kristin Kidd's "background" job by doing the administration and gathering tons of health insurance information about my healing progress, which amount to a 7 inch tall stack of paper. Thank you so much all of your excellent job again,

    Thank you so much for all of your excellent work again.
    Eva, Portland, OR
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We can help

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