Founding Attorney Matthew Philbrook attended Clark College, Washington State University, and Gonzaga University School of Law. He is a member of the Washington State and Oregon State Bar Associations and started Philbrook Law in 2005. He specializes in Personal Injury, DUI and Criminal Defense cases. Learn more about Mr. Philbrook.
Posts by Matthew Philbrook
Truck vs. Motorcycle Crashes: Legal Challenges in Portland Cases
Motorcyclists are already among the most vulnerable road users—not just in Portland, but across the entire United States. But when you add in an 80,000-pound vehicle to the equation, the fallout of a collision is even worse. Portland’s unique mix of congested freeways, freight corridors, and 4+ lane arterials puts motorcyclists in danger of collisions…
Read MoreTop Causes of Car Accidents in Portland: From I-5 to Inner SE
Portland has a reputation as a walkable, bike-friendly city that puts safety first. But even with safety prioritized in its infrastructure, Portland still sees a surprising amount of traffic accidents every year. There are thousands of crashes reported in the Portland metropolitan area every single year, and drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike all face serious…
Read MoreWhen Self‑Driving Cars Crash: Who’s Liable?
Imagine you are stopped at a red light on Southeast Hawthorne when a sleek electric SUV on “Autopilot” rolls through and smashes your rear bumper. You did everything right. The question that matters now is who must pay for the damage. Liability in crashes involving self‑driving technology is more tangled than in ordinary car wrecks.…
Read MoreAI & Evidence in Injury Cases: What Clients Should Know
When a distracted driver clips your bike on Burnside, the truth hides in medical scans, witness memories, street‑camera footage, and the story your aching body tells each night. Insurance companies try to spin those facts to favor their ledger. The strength of your evidence decides whether the offer is a band‑aid settlement or the full…
Read MoreHow Dashcam Evidence Can Strengthen Your Personal Injury Claim
Seconds after a crash, pain and panic can blur your memory. You need proof, not opinion. A small dashcam clipped behind your mirror can freeze those seconds on video and hand you leverage that the insurance company can’t ignore. What dashcams capture and why it matters Many dashcam models turn on with your ignition and…
Read MorePosting While Injured? How Social Media Impacts Injury Claims
Your phone dings while you wait for the doctor, and sympathy floods your feed: heart emojis, inside jokes, maybe a photo from last summer. It feels comforting, but every post you tap could give an insurance company ammunition. After an injury claim starts, social media stops being casual chatter. Insurers hire investigators who scroll, screenshot,…
Read MoreLiability for Injuries at Airbnbs and Short-Term Rentals
Airbnb is the most popular short-term rental facilitator in the world, although it is not the only such platform. In 2024 Airbnb recorded nearly 500 million bookings. With this kind of volume, guest injuries are going to occur, like it or not, even if the rate of injury per 1,000 guests is low. In case…
Read MoreCan a Defendant’s Conduct Affect the Amount of Damages?
The conduct of a defendant in a personal injury or wrongful death claim can have a profound influence on the amount of money that the injured victim eventually recovers. Conduct matters not only at the time of the accident, but during litigation. Your attorney can use bad behavior by the defendant to your advantage even…
Read MoreThe Unique Liability Issues of Logging Truck Accidents in Rural Areas
The economy of the Pacific Northwest is heavily dependent on the logging industry. Unsurprisingly, logging truck accidents are common. These types of accidents generate special concerns for a variety of reasons—their typically remote locations, road and weather conditions, and complex chains of liability, among other factors. Accidents tend to be serious, and wrongful death claims…
Read MoreWashington’s Duty of Care: What Property Owners Owe to Guests and Trespassers
As a property owner, how far do you have to go to protect guests and trespassers from injury and death? This is known as premises liability. The state of Washington, like every other state, applies its own premises liability law. These laws differ a bit from state to state. Washington uses the traditional invitee/licensee/trespasser classifications,…
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