Portland Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents can be devastating. A crash involving a large 18-wheeler can result in catastrophic or fatal injuries and extensive property damage. When a truck driver fails to act responsibly, and a collision occurs, those who’ve been hurt or who’ve lost loved ones have a right to fair compensation.

If you’ve been injured in a truck crash in Portland, you need experienced legal representation. Let a truck accident lawyer from Siefman Law LLC help you pursue the financial compensation you deserve. Our firm fights aggressively to protect your rights. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Types of Compensation Available for Truck Accident Victims

Accident victims may receive compensation in the form of economic and non-economic damages that cover tangible costs such as:

Medical expenses

Medical expenses such as emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, ongoing care, and rehabilitation can be recovered. Depending on the severity of the injuries sustained, these expenses can accumulate not just in the days following the accident but for months or even years. It is crucial for victims to meticulously document all medical-related costs to ensure that these expenses are fully covered in any legal compensation claim.

Lost income

Lost income is a critical aspect of economic damages in truck accident claims. When someone is injured in a truck accident, they may be unable to return to work for a significant period, resulting in lost wages and benefits. This can include not only the immediate loss of income but also the loss of earning capacity if the individual’s injuries prevent them from returning to their previous job or working in the future.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering encompass the physical and emotional distress that victims endure following a truck accident. This non-economic damage can be much more complex to quantify than medical bills or lost wages. Victims may experience a wide range of painful injuries that require long-term treatment and medication, along with emotional consequences such as anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Loss of Companionship

Loss of companionship is non-economic damage that the family members of a truck accident victim can claim. This loss refers to the deprivation of the love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, and moral support the injured or deceased person would have provided their family. It acknowledges the emotional and relational impact on a spouse, children, or parents who must navigate life without the full presence and support of their loved one.

Our Attorneys Can Negotiate with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies can be challenging adversaries. They often aim to minimize their costs, including medical bills, and may offer settlements that undervalue the victim’s claim.

However, our personal injury lawyers possess negotiation skills to deal with insurance companies and fight for fair compensation, often securing better settlements. We manage all interactions with insurance companies to protect your rights.

Oregon Truck Accident Laws and Regulations

Oregon has specific laws concerning trucking. Weight limits are set for trucks based on size, wheelbase, and axle count to prevent accidents from rollovers.

In addition, federal regulations require commercial trucks to undergo regular inspections, repairs, and maintenance to reduce the chance of accidents due to vehicle failure. Truck drivers in Oregon are subject to stricter DUI laws than other drivers.

Trucking companies must adhere to specific state and federal liability insurance requirements, depending on the vehicle type and the commodities being transported.

Proving Negligence After a Truck Accident

The trucking industry involves multiple parties who may be responsible for causing a truck accident. Alternatively, several trucking parties may each share some portion of the fault for an accident. Parties that may potentially have liability for a truck crash include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The truck’s owner
• The freight company responsible for loading the trailer
• The truck’s manufacturer

The driver’s insurance company is typically responsible for paying the claim in a truck accident in Portland. If it is found that the trucking company contributed to the accident, it can also be held liable for the incident. This means it may be legally responsible for any damages resulting from its involvement.

An experienced personal injury lawyer may be crucial to help you determine liability and assess the extent of damages in truck accident cases.

How Portland Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

Truck accidents present unique challenges, often involving complex laws, regulations, and detailed legal processes. However, a Portland truck accident attorney is equipped to navigate federal and state trucking regulations.

They develop customized legal strategies to help truck accident victims assess the crash, estimate its worth, and fight for maximum financial recovery.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Operating a truck requires specialized training and experience. Unfortunately, even a momentary lapse in judgment or a single act of negligence can result in a devastating truck crash. Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents in Portland include:

Speeding

Speeding is one of the leading causes of truck accidents and is particularly dangerous when it involves large commercial vehicles. These massive trucks require significantly more time and distance to stop than smaller passenger cars. When a truck driver breaks the speed limit or drives too fast for the road conditions, the risk of a severe or even fatal collision increases dramatically.

Fatigued driving

Fatigue is a significant hazard in the trucking industry, where long hours and the pressure to meet tight delivery schedules can push drivers to the brink of exhaustion. Fatigued driving is akin to driving under the influence of alcohol; it slows reaction times and can lead to lapses in concentration. When a truck driver is tired, the risk of causing an accident escalates.

Drunk driving

Operating a commercial vehicle requires the utmost care and responsibility due to the potential for severe harm in the event of a collision. When a truck driver makes the irresponsible choice to consume alcohol before or while driving, they not only endanger their own life but also the lives of everyone on the road.

Distracted driving

Distracted driving is a growing concern on today’s roadways, especially with the increased use of technology. Truck drivers, too, are susceptible to distractions from cell phones, navigation systems, and other electronic devices. However, the stakes are much higher for large commercial trucks, given their size and the damage they can inflict when not operated with full attention.

Improper maintenance

Improper maintenance of commercial trucks is a critical issue that can lead to catastrophic accidents on the road. Regular maintenance checks brakes, tires, lights, and engines, among other vital systems. When trucking companies or drivers neglect these maintenance tasks, they are putting everyone at risk. Trucking companies must maintain their fleets and ensure that every vehicle is roadworthy.

Manufacturing defects

Manufacturing defects in commercial trucks can be a hidden hazard originating from errors in design or production. These errors lead to critical components being prone to failure. When these parts fail, it can result in loss of vehicle control and subsequent accidents. Common issues include problems with the steering mechanism, brake failure, tire defects, and faulty safety systems.

Additionally, large blind spots on trucks, such as tanker trucks and semis, contribute to accidents, particularly during passing maneuvers. Unsecured cargo or high speeds on curves can lead to truck rollovers, which pose significant risks to nearby traffic.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle

The experienced Portland truck accident lawyers at Siefman Law LLC are prepared to help those who’ve been injured in a wide variety of truck accidents, including:

• Head-on collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• T-bone accidents
• Jackknife accidents
• Falling cargo

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

Big trucks traveling at high speeds can exert significant force on a smaller passenger vehicle in case of a collision. As a result, truck accident victims tend to suffer serious and even life-threatening injuries. Examples of common injuries in truck accidents include:

Broken Bones

Broken bones are common in truck accidents due to the force involved in such collisions. These impacts can range from minor breaks that may heal with minimal medical intervention to complex fractures that require surgery and possibly lead to long-term complications.

The psychological impact of dealing with immobility or chronic pain can also be significant. Victims need to consider the full impact of these injuries when seeking legal compensation.

Whiplash

When a truck slams into the back of a smaller vehicle, the intense force can cause the neck to snap back and forth. This motion can damage muscles, tendons, and ligaments, leading to pain, stiffness, and movement limitations. In some cases, chronic pain requires long-term treatment, including physical therapy and pain management strategies.

Burns

The intense heat from vehicle fires or the release of hot cargo can cause severe burns, which may require ongoing treatment, including surgeries such as skin grafts and long recovery periods. Burn victims often endure significant pain and possible infections.

Additionally, the psychological impact of burn injuries, including coping with scarring and possible disfigurement, can be profound, necessitating counseling and ongoing support.

Spinal Cord Injuries

When the delicate spinal cord is damaged due to the trauma involved in a truck accident, victims may experience paralysis, loss of sensation, and difficulty controlling movement. These injuries often require surgery, rehabilitation, and assistive devices. The emotional and financial toll of spinal cord injuries can be severe and lasting.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain, and the effects can range from mild to severe. Recovery may involve extensive rehabilitation therapies, cognitive retraining, and psychological support to address the emotional and mental health challenges following such injuries. The cost of medical treatment, the potential for lifelong care, and the impact on the victim’s ability to work and enjoy life are profound.

Amputations

The sheer force involved in truck collisions can tragically lead to the loss of a limb, whether at the accident scene or as a necessary medical intervention later on.

This type of injury not only requires immediate and extensive medical attention, including surgery and rehabilitation, but it also has a profound impact on the victim’s quality of life, potentially leading to long-term disability, trauma, and significant changes in lifestyle and employment.

Wrongful Death

In the unfortunate event that a truck accident results in a fatality, the aftermath of such an incident is a time of immense sorrow and confusion for the family and friends of the deceased. In addition to the emotional pain, there are often significant financial repercussions, including loss of income and unexpected end-of-life expenses.

In many instances, occupants in smaller vehicles suffer fatal injuries in a truck crash. If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, you and other surviving family members could be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death claim.

Contact a Portland Truck Accident Attorney Today

Fighting for your rights after a truck accident may seem like a never-ending battle. This is where a Portland truck accident attorney becomes invaluable. We understand the complexities of a trucking accident, especially in a commercial truck accident and semi-truck accident case.

If you’ve been severely injured or lost a loved one in a truck crash, you deserve justice. A Portland truck accident attorney can help investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after a Portland truck accident?

After a Portland truck accident, many people are unsure whether they need legal help. Speaking with a Portland truck accident attorney can clarify your options, especially if you’re dealing with significant truck accident injuries, disputed liability, or pressure from the driver’s insurance company. A lawyer can evaluate the facts, preserve truck accident evidence, and make sure you meet all filing deadlines under Oregon truck accident laws.

How are truck accidents different from car accidents?

Truck accidents differ from car accidents because they often involve commercial entities, multiple truck drivers, and complex federal and state laws. After an accident involving commercial trucks, attorneys sometimes work with accident reconstruction experts to understand how the crash happened. These cases also require investigations involving the trucking company, the truck’s owner, and sometimes even maintenance contractors.

What kinds of injuries are common in trucking accidents?

Trucking accidents often lead to severe or even life threatening injuries. It’s common for truck accident victims to experience spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or significant burn injuries. Even passenger car occupants in the average passenger car may face long-term recovery because collisions with large commercial trucks tend to cause more force and more serious harm.

Who can be held responsible in a commercial truck accident case?

Responsibility in a commercial truck or semi truck accident case may involve several parties. Liability can fall on a negligent truck driver, negligent trucking companies, the truck’s owner, or the manufacturer of defective components. Because the commercial trucking industry involves many moving parts, truck accident cases often require evaluating whether violations of federal regulations, improper maintenance, or driver fatigue contributed to the crash.

How do I file a truck accident claim in Oregon?

Filing a Portland truck accident claim typically involves documenting injuries, notifying the insurer, and gathering proof of fault. A truck accident attorney can help organize evidence and manage communication with insurers to protect your rights. Each truck accident claim must comply with Oregon truck accident laws, which define deadlines and requirements depending on how the accident occurred.

What compensation can victims pursue after a trucking crash?

Injured victims in a trucking accident case can often seek compensation for medical bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term medical treatment. Depending on the severity of the injuries and the impact on daily life, compensation may also cover pain, emotional distress, or future care needs. An experienced lawyer will work to secure maximum compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.

How does a truck accident lawsuit work if settlement negotiations fail?

If a truck accident cannot be resolved through negotiation, filing a truck accident lawsuit may be necessary. This process often includes discovery, depositions, expert analysis, and review of the trucking industry safety practices. Our Oregon truck accident lawyers can guide you through court procedures while continuing efforts to reach a fair resolution.

What factors commonly cause crashes involving commercial truck drivers?

Many truck crashes stem from issues like distracted driving, driver fatigue, speeding, or improper maintenance of the vehicle. Some trucking accidents also involve overloaded trailers, inadequate training, or violations of federal regulations that govern commercial trucking. When an accident scene shows signs of mechanical issues or rule violations, these details can be crucial in proving fault.

What should I know about wrongful death lawsuits involving trucks?

A wrongful death lawsuit involving commercial trucks typically arises when a family member is lost due to negligence. These cases may involve fatal accidents caused by negligent trucking companies, other drivers, or mechanical failures. Although each situation is different, families may pursue compensation for financial losses and the emotional impact of the death.