Three Important Ways Motorcycle Crashes Are Different from Car Crashes

January 7, 2026

Three Important Ways Motorcycle Crashes Are Different from Car Crashes

What are some special complications associated with motorcycle accidents?


Bottom-Line-up-front: There are small variations with a motorcycle crash in Oregon as opposed to a car crash, but many aspects remain the same. 

The Long Answer: In Oregon, there are a few differences between a crash with two cars and a crash between a motorcycle and a car. 

More Catastrophic Injuries: 

 In my experience, motorcycle crashes have very severe injuries to the motorcycle rider.  Logically, a car is much heavier than a motorcycle and even though the safety equipment is useful to a motorcycle rider, it just does not protect a person as well as the passenger compartment of a vehicle does.  Even in a somewhat low-speed crash I have seen devastating injuries including broken arms and death.  This is the primary difference between the crash types.  

Jurors are less aware of the rules of the road for Motorcycles:

In the unfortunate event that you are in a motorcycle crash that is not your fault and you are unable to reach a resolution to the dispute short of trial it will be a jury that decides liability and damages.  A slight wrinkle with Motorcycle cases is that jurors are typically not as familiar with the rules of the road for motorcycles as they are with passenger cars.  As a part of my voir dire (picking a jury) in car crash cases I ask the potential jury members whether they drive and for how long they have been driving.  Out of 100 people in a recent trial in Eugene there were only 2-3 people that did not drive a vehicle.  Very few jurors are familiar with laws relating to motorcycles.  Notably, a police officer who patrols from Springfield to Oakridge once told me that he hates when a motorcyclist breaks the law because he has to look up the laws regarding the technical aspects of motorcycle rules of the road and sometimes the motorcycle rider actually knows the law better than the police officer. 

Slightly different insurance policies:

The mandatory provisions of an automobile insurance policy in Oregon and a motorcycle insurance policy in Oregon are not the same.  One notable example is that PIP (Personal Injury Protection: which pays for crash related medical expenses) is required on automobile insurance policies in Oregon in a minimum coverage amount of $15,000 while it is not a required provision of a motorcycle insurance policy.  These slight differences in insurance policy provisions can change what rights and responsibilities you have in the unfortunate event that you are in a motorcycle crash. 

While these are not all of the differences between a motorcycle crash and an automobile crash they are some of the most important differences.  As always, if you have been in a motorcycle or a car crash calling a lawyer who can look at your specific situation and advise you accordingly is almost always a good idea.  If you need our help we are here for you at Hunking Law and just call (541)486-5464 and we will be happy to help as best we can.  Safe travels. 

February 5, 2026
The Oregon DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) makes a lot of their information and requirements public. With a few exceptions, they try to make a lot of information accessible to the public.
December 12, 2025
This is an interesting question in December of 2025 to answer because the rain and the flooding is ongoing and expected to cause more disruption in the following days and weeks. These weather conditions increase the risk of car accidents, and when a crash happens in bad weather it raises important questions about liability and the extent of any driver’s negligence. I can’t speak for Washington, but if we look at the issue with the lens of the impact of weather on Negligence in Oregon it actually shows the versatility of the Common Law system and how it can adapt itself to any factual circumstance. Let’s dive right into it:
Woman sitting at table, face in hands, appearing sad. Natural light, indoors.
By Hunking Law October 21, 2025
South Eugene families' guide to understanding wrongful death legal representation. Learn about the claims process, damages, and what to expect from your attorney.
October 9, 2025
Dealing with the aftermath of an auto accident is painful and stressful enough without having to worry about paying for your medical care. People often assume that the other driver’s insurance will cover everything, only to find out that the limits fall far short of their actual expenses. That’s where understanding your options – and getting help from someone who knows the system – becomes essential.
Person's hand touching a dented, blue car bumper, likely after a collision, outdoors.
By Hunking Law October 7, 2025
Philomath residents' comprehensive guide to legal options after hit and run accidents. Learn immediate steps, compensation sources, and investigation strategies.
A damaged motorcycle lies on its side on a road after a collision.
By Hunking Law September 23, 2025
Springfield motorcyclists' guide to knowing when legal help is essential. Learn about unique challenges in motorcycle cases and timing for contacting an attorney.
September 17, 2025
Bottom-Line-Up-Front: Probably not The Long Answer: In a typical car crash where no one is injured; say for example your car is hit by a drunk driver leaving a football game in the parking lot of Autzen Stadium, an attorney does not provide a ton of value to a person beyond a single conversation. There are plenty of repair shops and parts sellers so finding the price to repair a vehicle is pretty simple without much negotiating room. There are also plenty of people buying and selling vehicles so even if the vehicle is totaled, finding the value of a replacement vehicle is pretty straightforward. That said, it is helpful to speak with an attorney to at least understand your options. Knowing the difference between the process for going through your own insurance (e.g. that you can get the deductible paid back by the insurance company of the at-fault driver) and the process for going through the at-fault insurance company directly. I have had dozens if not hundreds of those conversations with people over the years and I hope they have been helpful. It takes a good amount of time to understand how the systems interact, but for me it is pretty simple to explain it to someone and then give them the chance to ask questions. To convey this information even broader than we can currently, (a single conversation at a time) Hunking Law is currently developing resources to help make this understandable on our website such that more people can get the information any time of day. I hope this was helpful, if you need or want to talk to an attorney in the Eugene/Springfield area about a car accident please consider us and call Hunking Law at (541)486-5464 today.
Damaged white semi-truck after a collision; front fender torn and debris on the ground.
By Hunking Law September 9, 2025
Albany residents' guide to finding qualified truck accident attorneys. Learn what makes trucking cases complex and how to choose the right legal representation.
Woman taking photos of car accident damage with her phone.
By Hunking Law September 9, 2025
Complete guide for Eugene residents navigating car accident claims. Learn Oregon laws, compensation options, and how local traffic patterns affect your case.
Person with a broken arm in a cast and sling, wearing an orange shirt.
By Hunking Law September 9, 2025
Essential guide for Corvallis residents choosing the right personal injury attorney. Learn what to look for, key questions to ask, and how Oregon law affects your case.
Show More