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Truck and semi-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.
Victims may file a lawsuit for economic and non-economic damages:
All emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, ongoing care, and rehabilitation costs can be included in a personal injury claim. Depending on the injuries, future costs may also be considered.
Lost wages are a big part of economic damages in truck accident claims. When someone is injured in a truck accident, they may be out of work for a long time, resulting in lost wages and benefits. This can include not only the immediate loss of income, but also the loss of earning capacity if that person can’t go back to their previous job or work in the future.
The physical and emotional distress victims go through after a truck accident is non-economic damage that is hard to quantify. Victims may have many painful injuries that require long-term treatment and there are also emotional consequences, such as anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life that can be made part of a claim.
Loss of companionship is non-economic damage that family members of a truck accident victim can recover. This is the loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, and moral support the deceased would have given to their family. It’s the emotional and relational impact on a spouse, children, or parents who have to go on without the full presence and support of their loved one.
Insurance companies can be tough. They want to reduce costs, including medical bills, and will often offer settlements that undervalue your claim.
But our personal injury attorneys have the negotiation skills to deal with insurance companies and get you the best possible settlement. We handle all the communication with insurance companies for you.
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.
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 driver’s insurance company is 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.
Trucking accidents present unique challenges, often involving complex laws, regulations, and detailed legal processes. However, a 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.
Driving a truck requires special training and experience. Even a small mistake can cause a bad truck crash. Some common causes of truck accidents in Portland are:
Speeding: Speeding is one of the top causes of truck accidents and is especially bad when it involves commercial trucks. These trucks take more time and distance to stop than smaller passenger cars. When a truck driver goes over the speed limit or drives too fast for the road conditions, the chance of a bad or fatal crash goes up.
Fatigue: Fatigue is a big issue in the trucking industry, where long hours and the pressure to meet delivery deadlines can push drivers to the edge. Fatigued driving is much like driving drunk; it slows down reaction time and can cause lapses in concentration. When a truck driver is exhausted, the chance of causing an accident goes up.
Drunk driving: When a truck driver chooses to drink before driving, they put their own life at risk, as well as the lives of everyone on the road.
Distracted driving: Distracted driving is a big problem on the roads today, especially with technology. Truck drivers, too, can be distracted by cell phones, navigation systems, and other electronic devices. But, the stakes are much higher for big commercial trucks because of their size and the damage they can cause.
Improper maintenance: Improper maintenance of commercial trucks is a major issue that can cause catastrophic accidents on the road. Regular maintenance checks brakes, tires, lights, engines, and other vital systems. When trucking companies or drivers neglect these maintenance tasks, they put everyone at risk.
Defects: Design or manufacturing errors in commercial trucks can make critical parts likely to failure, causing loss of truck control and accidents. Common issues are steering mechanism issues, brake failure, tire defects, and faulty safety systems.
Truck accidents happen for many reasons. 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:
While passenger vehicle accidents are common, other types of traffic accidents involving larger vehicles can lead to severe injuries and complex legal cases. Two such categories are commercial truck accidents and delivery truck accidents.
The commercial trucking industry has its fair share of negligent trucking companies. A truck wreck can be particularly devastating due to the size and weight of these vehicles. Some key points to consider:
If you've been involved in a commercial truck accident, it's crucial to work with an attorney experienced in handling these cases.
Delivery truck accidents have become more and more common in cities like Portland. These accidents involve smaller trucks or vans used for local deliveries. Important factors to consider include:
If you've been injured in an accident involving a delivery truck, it's important to hire a skilled attorney to pursue the compensation you deserve in a personal injury claim.
Big trucks traveling at high speeds can put 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 lawsuit.
Every Oregon truck accident case is different, but they all share a never-ending battle with insurance and truck companies. This is where a Portland truck accident attorney can be invaluable. We know the complexities of a trucking accident and what the average passenger car can look like after an unexpected encounter.
If you’ve been injured in a truck or semi-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 Siefman Law LLC today for a free consultation.
In Oregon, the statute of limitations typically requires you to file a lawsuit for a truck accident claim within two years of the date of the crash. If you file suit after the limitations period has expired, the trucking companies can dismiss your lawsuit.
If you were involved in a truck accident, you might seek compensation for expenses and losses you incurred due to the crash, including medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost income, and earning capacity due to your injuries, pain, suffering, and lost enjoyment or quality of life.
Even if you bear some fault for the truck accident or your injuries, you may still be entitled to pursue compensation. Under Oregon’s modified comparative negligence rules, you can still claim compensation against the truck driver and trucking companies, so long as your share of fault for the accident is less than the other parties’ combined fault.
In a truck accident, liability can fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer, and government entities responsible for road maintenance. The responsibility is shared among these parties.
A Portland truck accident lawyer can assist victims by providing advice and representation, collecting and preserving evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing victims in court. This can help victims seek justice and fair compensation for their injuries and damages.