Motorcycling in Oregon offers breathtaking views and an exhilarating sense of freedom. However, with this thrill comes a significant level of risk.  In 2021, the number of motorcyclist fatalities reached a worrying high. According to the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS), there were 5,932 motorcyclists killed on Oregon roads that year, accounting for 14% of all traffic fatalities. This figure, which is an 8% increase over the previous year, is the highest since FARS began collecting data in 1975. In addition to these fatalities, an estimated 82,686 motorcyclists were injured, markin ..read more

If you’re in a car accident that’s serious enough to cause injury, it’s likely that your car suffered significant damage too. It may even be completely totaled. What you may be wondering is “Do I pay for my vehicle damage after a car accident in Hillsboro, Oregon?”  The answer is not straightforward. Oregon is an at-fault state for personal injury claims, meaning that the party who causes a car accident is legally responsible for paying for any injuries and property damage. However, there are times when you might want to turn to your own insurer instead. In this blog, the team at Harris ..read more

For some of us, a night on the town in Portland or Hillsboro ends with the wail of a police siren and lights flashing in your rearview mirror. If you’ve never been stopped for DUI before, the entire process -from the police stop to the laying of charges and beyond- can be confusing and even harrowing. It’s too easy to say or do the wrong thing and make your situation even worse. At Harris Velázquez Gibbens, we know what you’re going through because we’ve represented hundreds of people in your position. In this blog, we go over everything you need to know if you’re facing DUI charges in Oregon ..read more

It used to be that retirement meant golf, hiking, card games and travel. But things have changed. People are healthier and live longer and are choosing to continue working past normal retirement age. And, we’ve seen a recent trend of older entrepreneurs. People who had a long work career and qualify by age for retirement, but chose to start that business they’ve always dreamed about. Of course, some of these clients also decide to start their own business because they’ve been unable to find work, or because their retirement proves inadequate for one reason or another. Regardless of the reasons ..read more

A new diversion program was created in Washington County Circuit Court in Hillsboro which allows individuals charged with certain misdemeanor crimes to enter diversion. Similar to the DUII diversion program, successful completion of the DECR program will result in a dismissal of the criminal charges after a one year period. The Eligibility Requirements of the program are as follows: The charge must be a misdemeanor that did not involve injury to another; You must have no prior convictions of any kind or prior civil compromises; No prior participation in any other diversion program; No prior v ..read more

Safety First will now be offering Supervised Parenting Time and Safe Exchanges of children between parents for unsupervised parenting time at the Washington County Courthouse in Hillsboro. Supervised Parenting Time services are available immediately. The Safe Exchange services will be available later in the fall. Services are offered to families with domestic violence issues. Similar programs exist at both Clackamas County and Multnomah County Courthouses. This project is supported by a grant from the Office on Violence Against Women. A court order is not necessary to obtain services, however ..read more

In Family law it is well known that Parents have a duty to support their children. This is the basis by which the state can impose child support on divorcing parents. In Probate law, practitioners have long told their clients that they have no duty to pay their parents’ debts with the child’s assets. But take a look at ORS § 109.010 Duty of Support. This statute says “Parents are bound to maintain their children who are poor and unable to work to maintain themselves; and children are bound to maintain their parents in like circumstances.” Does this mean that children really are responsible for ..read more

Starting the divorce process can seem daunting. Hiring experienced legal counsel can save you time and stress during a difficult stage of your life and helps you achieve the end result you desire. Before you start. Consulting with an attorney. First of all, if you’re reading this we know you’ve done some research online. The next step then is to set up a consultation with an experienced attorney to discuss the issues central to your specific family situation. We will explain how the process moves through the court, which could vary depending on your issues. After the consultation, you may choo ..read more

Auto insurance is mandatory for all drivers in Oregon. In addition to liability coverage, every auto insurance policy delivered in Oregon must include Personal Injury Protection coverage. Purchasers of auto insurance in Oregon also can (and in most cases should) purchase Underinsured Motorist coverage. Here we will briefly discuss those types of insurance coverage and some very important changes soon to take effect under SB411. 1. Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) coverage. All auto insurance policies delivered in Oregon must include PIP. PIP pays medical expenses associated with injuries suf ..read more

No one wants to deal with the aftermath of a car accident, but with the number of cars on the road, accidents happen. The important thing is to know what to do if you’re involved in a collision and what your rights are when the accident is not your fault. Most people know to exchange information with the other driver and let the insurance companies know that there has been a collision for which you want your damages covered. Most people also know that they can be compensated by the at-fault driver’s insurance company for their medical bills, lost wages, travel costs, and other damages. But wha ..read more