Portland Truck Accident Lawyer

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Although semi-trucks only make up three percent of the traffic on Oregon roads and highways, they’re the cause of twelve percent of fatal automobile accidents. About half of all semi-truck accidents are due to mechanical failure or driver error. Knowing the common causes of truck accidents can help you stay safe on the roads. Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents.

The Causes

• Fatigue: Commercial trucking companies are under immense pressure to deliver more goods faster. Unfortunately, this sometimes causes companies to push their drivers to ignore safety regulations and drive beyond the point of exhaustion. Oregon has regulations in place, stipulating the number of hours a semi-truck driver can be behind the wheel. When those regulations are ignored, exhaustion can lead to unsafe driving that results in fatal accidents. 

• Distracted driving: Driving for long hours can be tedious. Some truck drivers get distracted, which can lead to accidents. 

• Driving under the influence: Some drivers even use drugs or alcohol while behind the wheel. Serious mistakes happen when truck drivers drive impaired. 

• Reckless driving: Tailgating and other reckless driving practices are also another top reason for semi-truck accidents.

• Lack of training: Some truck drivers haven’t been appropriately trained and aren’t actually licensed to drive large commercial vehicles. 

• Large load: Semi-trucks take around forty percent more time to stop than your typical vehicle. The size of their trailer also causes large blind spots. The size of a semi-truck can make seeing your car more difficult, which can cause a serious accident. 

• Improper maintenance: When a semi-truck isn’t properly maintained, mechanical failure can cause the semi-truck to swerve dangerously and crash into surrounding vehicles. 

• Speeding: Because it takes a semi-truck longer to stop, speeding is especially dangerous. When truck drivers ignore laws and regulations and go above the speed limit, they put the lives of others in danger.

• Improperly loaded trailer: The cargo has to be loaded into the trailer in a certain way to keep the truck balanced. Sometimes, however, those responsible for loading the cargo are careless. Improperly loaded cargo can shift, causing the trailer to tilt or swerve.   

Dealing With Insurance After A Semi-Truck Accident

After a semi-truck accident, a number of insurance companies are involved. Semi-truck companies maintain major insurance policies. The minimum policy they are required to carry is $750,000, but this is often not enough to cover the serious injuries that occur after a semi-truck accident. Because of the expense in a semi-truck crash, these insurance companies will employ aggressive or even unlawful tactics to avoid paying out on a claim.  

This is why hiring a truck accident attorney in Portland can be so crucial. Your recovery shouldn’t be dictated by companies trying to protect unsafe drivers. An experienced semi-truck accident attorney will help protect you from the underhanded practices of semi-truck insurance companies. 

How Is Fault Proven in a Semi-Truck Injury Case?

The state of Oregon uses comparative negligence laws when it comes to personal injury lawsuits. This means that even if you are partially at fault for an accident, you can still recover partial damages. For example, if you were twenty percent at fault for the accident, you would receive twenty percent less in your claim. 

Trucking companies in the state of Oregon have a team of lawyers, insurance adjusters, and experts on their side, trying to minimize their liability after a trucking accident. They may try to unfairly blame the victim of the semi-truck accident or refuse to pay out on a claim. But in semi-truck accidents, the driver or mechanical failure is at fault at least half of the time. Failure to follow the safety regulations set by Oregon state law and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration constitutes negligence. 

Hiring a commercial truck accident lawyer can help you prove the negligence of the other party. An experienced truck accident attorney will understand the complicated rules and regulations that govern the trucking industry. They will know how to investigate an accident and help you build your case.

Common Injuries After A Truck Accident

The sheer size of a semi-truck means that your life is on the line in an accident. Injuries can be severe, even fatal. The following are the most common kinds of injury to occur in a truck accident:

• Compound fractures and broken bones: Depending on the severity of an accident, the victim may walk away with multiple broken bones, which may need surgery and months of physical therapy. 

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Your brain is inarguably one of the most important organs in your body. A traumatic brain injury happens when your brain is struck with force. The force in a semi-truck collision is tremendous, so TBIs are one of the most common kinds of injury. TBIs can be life-threatening and need immediate medical attention. Some of the symptoms of a TBI include loss of consciousness, headaches, nausea or vomiting, loss of coordination, loss of balance, confusion, memory problems, depression or anxiety, and more. The effects can be short-term or last a long time. 

• Spinal cord injury: The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that connects your body to your brain. Injuries to the spinal cord heal very slowly, if at all, and require months of hospitalization. Damage to the spinal cord affects the way the brain and body communicate. Due to the severe force of collision in an accident with semi-truck, spinal cord injuries are common and can be debilitating. The higher on the spine the injury, the more widespread the effects. Spinal cord injury can lead to partial or full paralysis that may never get better. 

• Organ damage: Depending on the severity of the organ damage, the victim may never fully recover full function. 

• Amputations: Being crushed under the extreme weight of a vehicle during a semi-truck accident can lead to amputated limbs. Amputations cause major changes to your way of life. You may not be able to work in the same industry and will likely require months of physical therapy, and a lifetime of prosthetics.  

• Internal bleeding: One of the dangerous aspects of internal bleeding is how varied the symptoms are. Sometimes, it’s apparent immediately that the victim of the semi-truck accident has internal bleeding. But other times, symptoms are invisible until the body has lost too much blood. Even just small amounts of internal bleeding in the brain can cause irreversible damage.

• Burns: Some truck accidents result in flames. A burning semi-truck can leave the asphalt of a road so hot that it melts tires. Even worse is when the victim receives burns from that fire. Serious scarring and risk of infection can occur with months of hospital time needed to heal. 

• Damage to face and eyes: Your eyes are your window to the world and damage to them can leave you blind. Scarring on your face from a serious truck accident can lead to disfigurement and serious physical and mental pain.

The injuries resulting from a truck accident can be devastating. Your quality of life may be impacted as well as your ability to work. The healing process can become even more difficult when you’re also fighting for insurance to pay the bills of your recovery. That’s why hiring an experienced semi-truck accident attorney is so important. They will fight the insurance to get you the fairest deal.

What to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident 

All automobile accidents are potentially serious, and that’s true especially when an eighteen-wheeler is involved. If you find yourself in a collision with a semi-truck, here’s what you should do:

1. Call the police. You’ll need them on the scene to investigate the accident and document everything. They will also help clear the road of debris to keep other drivers safe from further accidents. Remain as calm as you can while speaking with them.

2. Document everything. If your injuries allow it, take pictures of the scene while you wait for the police to arrive. Document skid marks, traffic signals, and signs. These may help when it comes to determining fault later on. Get the truck driver’s information, including name, phone number, license number, insurance information, and the trucking company they work for. 

3. Seek medical attention. Some injuries will be apparent right away. However, even if you walk away from the scene apparently uninjured, you should still make an appointment with your doctor. Some semi-truck accident injuries take a few days to exhibit pain. Document all injuries throughout the healing process.

4. Get your vehicle assessed for damage. This will help you know quickly if your vehicle has irreparable damage and will help you know the cost to repair or replace.

5. Contact a truck accident attorney in Portland. Semi-truck accident cases are complicated. Hiring an experienced Portland truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies do everything they can to pay as little as they can. You need someone on your side to protect you. 

Protecting Yourself From a Semi-Truck Accident

Preventing an accident is better than trying to recover from one. Here are just a few tips you can use to protect yourself from a semi-truck collision. 

• When driving near a semi-truck, be aware of their blind spots. 

• Don’t follow too closely and don’t cut a semi-truck off. It takes much longer for them to stop. 

• Only pass on the left, and be aware of the wide swing of a semi-truck trailer when turning. 

• Give semi-trucks plenty of space. 

• Maintain adequate insurance. 

The Right Truck Accident Attorney in Portland for You

There are a lot of complicated laws and regulations in place for commercial trucks. There’s a lot at stake after a semi-truck accident. You shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of the burden when someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. 

The right truck accident attorney in Portland can make all the difference for you. Contact Powell Law today for a free consultation. I’ll let you know if you have a case and help you get onto the road to recovery. 

What Should I Look For In A Portland Truck Accident Lawyer?

When looking for a truck accident attorney in Portland, it's important to consider the following qualities:

1. Experience

   Look for an attorney who has experience handling truck accident cases, as they will be familiar with the specific laws and regulations that apply to these cases, as well as the best ways to build a strong case.

2. Knowledge of the local court system

   An attorney who is familiar with the local court system and has a good working relationship with judges and other attorneys in the area will be able to navigate the legal process more effectively.

3. Resources

   A good truck accident attorney will have the resources to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, including hiring experts and gathering evidence to support your case.

4. Strong communication skills

   The attorney should be able to communicate effectively with you, keeping you informed about the progress of your case, and answering any questions you may have.

5. Results

   Look for an attorney who has a track record of obtaining successful outcomes for their clients. Ask for references and case results.

6. Availability and willingness to take the case to trial

   Not all cases go to trial, but it's important to have an attorney who is willing and able to take your case to trial if necessary to achieve the best outcome for you.

7. Empathy and understanding

   Truck accidents can be very stressful and traumatic, look for an attorney who is empathetic and understanding, who is willing to listen to you and help you through the process.

It's also a good idea to schedule a consultation with any attorney you are considering, so you can ask them questions and get a sense of their qualifications and experience. We’ll give you a free consultation with no strings attached. You’re welcome to continue shopping around or hire us as your Portland truck accident lawyers.

*Nothing herein constitutes legal advice. You should obtain independent legal counsel regarding your specific factual situation.