Forum Law Group has extensive experience investigating, settling and litigating motor vehicle claims and lawsuits.
All Oregonians pay premiums for auto insurance. The national, for-profit insurance companies are interested in paying as little as they can to resolve a claim. If you have been paying premiums for auto insurance, you are entitled to receive just and fair compensation for medical and non-medical expenses, including loss of enjoyment of life. Our firm advocates for Oregonians who have paid their premiums and need money to help get their lives back on track after a collision.
“Crash,” not “accident.” You may have noticed that we have not used the word “accident” anywhere on our website to discuss traffic collisions. This is deliberate. Our firm, along with advocates across the city, state, and country, uses the words “crash” and “collision” instead. Why? As explained by the national advocacy group Families For Safe Streets:
“Planes don’t have accidents. They crash. Cranes don’t have accidents. They collapse. And as a society, we expect answers and solutions. Traffic crashes are fixable problems, caused by dangerous streets and unsafe drivers. They are not accidents. Let’s stop using the word "accident" today.”
Crashes are not accidents but preventable tragedies. Our firm not only represents individuals who have been involved in a crash, but supports community-based approaches to reducing the number of lives affected by crashes. In particular, we support Vision Zero, the City of Portland’s data-driven approach to eliminating traffic fatalities from Portland’s streets by 2025.
Car, Truck, Motorcycle
If you have been injured in a car crash, your first priority should always be to seek medical help and recover.
Still, it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. We will advise you of any legal deadlines and help ensure that important evidence is gathered. We will also keep the insurance companies off your back while you focus on the more important parts of your physical and emotional recovery.
We will guide you in navigating your medical bills and insurance, including PIP (personal injury protection) issues that often arise. We will also help you determine when and how to negotiate, mediate, arbitrate or litigate your case. And then we will take care of it.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Crashes
Portland is considered one of the best cities in the country to ride a bike. Nonetheless, with increased biking and walking across the state, crashes between bicyclists, pedestrians and vehicles are not uncommon. Our firm has helped many people who were hurt while lawfully biking and walking pursue legal actions and compensation for injuries suffered in collisions.
It can be difficult to navigate traffic laws, insurance issues and the legal system. We can guide you forward. Our lead attorney, Scott Kocher, is a longtime and passionate bicyclist who has spoken at Oregon State Bar continuing legal education seminars on bicycle law. Consult with us regarding your rights and legal options if you have been injured in a collision or other accident.
We are also passionate about supporting local organizations that advance the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. We are proud to be a Premier Business Member of The Street Trust, a Titanium supporter of Community Cycling Center and a Gold Level Supporter of Oregon Walks.
Liquor Liability
Forum Law Group is experienced in holding bars accountable for over-serving their customers.
Oregon's Dram Shop Act allows those injured by a customer to bring a claim against a bar if they served the customer while he or she was visibly intoxicated.
Most often these cases involve an over-served driver who causes injury to another driver, passenger, bicyclist or pedestrian. Claims may be brought against the drunk driver, the bar, or both.
Dram Shop cases are highly specialized, involving complicated scientific evidence as well as sophisticated research and investigation. Forum Law Group is well equipped to handle these issues.
In 2014, Forum Law Group founder Scott Kocher was featured in a news article on transportation blog BikePortland.org for his work in raising attention and awareness regarding the Portland region's worst offending bars.
This past October, Scott was quoted in The Oregonian for his work to partner with Oregon Walks to push the City of Portland to release more data and information about traffic collisions. Open and accessible crash data provides community transportation advocates more resources to use in their Vision Zero campaign to eliminate traffic fatalities in Portland by 2025.