The trucking industry is critical to Oregon’s economy and the delivery of necessary goods and services. The region’s thriving trucking industry means the highways frequently become crowded with commercial trucks that tower over smaller cars and present a serious hazard in a crash.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck accident, the Portland personal injury lawyers at Sears Injury Law are prepared to represent your best interests against a large trucking company and its powerful insurer. Call us today at (503) 446-5127 to discuss your case with one of our experienced truck accident lawyers in Portland. We offer free case consultations.
Why Choose Sears Injury Law For Your Truck Accident Case?
For over 20 years, the Portland accident attorneys at Sears Injury Law have been dedicated to legal advocacy for injury victims, including against powerful industries and insurance companies. We offer the following benefits for your truck accident claim in Portland:
- A free consultation and contingency-based payment, so our truck wreck lawyers work at no cost to you until after we’ve obtained your compensation through a settlement or court award
- An award-winning Portland truck accident lawyer with years of experience navigating federal and state trucking regulations
- An in-depth investigation to make a compelling claim showing clear evidence of liability
- A passionate, dedicated Portland truck accident lawyer arguing for the maximum compensation available to you throughout negotiations for a settlement
- A trial-ready attorney who will present a well-executed legal strategy if your case requires court
In the past five years, Sears Injury Law has recovered over $300 million for injury victims. Our history of exceptional results puts a powerful voice behind your Portland trucking accident claim. Let a Portland truck accident lawyer from our team help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Client Testimonials
“I sincerely appreciate the support provided by Sears Injury Law after my accident in Portland, OR. Their team consistently delivered timely responses to my inquiries and kept me informed at every stage of the process. The team implemented a tailored strategy for my case, guaranteeing that I was consistently supported and kept informed during the entire process. Ultimately, they reached a settlement that greatly surpassed my expectations. I highly recommend them for their expertise and results.”
– Yolanda K.
“Sears Injury Law handled my vehicle accident in Portland with care and precision. They kept me updated and fought hard, resulting in a better settlement than I could have asked for. Strongly recommended!”
– Arlene A.
“Highly recommended if you’ve been in an accident. They work effectively in a timely manner. Wouldn’t go any other route, thank you for your caring and professional efforts!”
– Marckell G.
What are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents In Portland, Oregon?
Around 80% of Oregon communities rely entirely on commercial trucks for essential products. Though commercial trucks may be critical links in the supply chain, they also outweigh average family cars by as much as 76,000 pounds. They require long stopping distances, make wide turns, and have extended blind spots. Common causes of truck accidents include the following:
- Unsafe lane changes due to blind spots
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Failing to reduce speed for unfavorable road conditions
- Tailgating
- Tire blowouts
- Improper braking
- Improper merging
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Impaired driving
- Sudden shifting of unbalanced or improperly secured cargo
- Inadequately maintained truck or trailer
- Defective tires or truck parts
In some cases, an investigation into a trucking accident reveals a cause unrelated to the truck driver or trucking company, such as inadequate road maintenance, poor roadway planning, or the negligence of a third-party driver. A Portland truck accident attorney from Sears Injury Law will vigorously pursue all available avenues for your compensation.
What Types of Truck Crashes Happen In Portland, OR?
Large commercial trucks like 18-wheelers, box trucks, semi-trucks, dump trucks, and tankers are difficult to maneuver and carry heavy or hazardous cargo. Truck accident scenes are often chaotic, with property damage to other passenger vehicles and the roadway. Common types of truck accidents in Oregon include the following:
- T-bone accidents (angle collisions or broadside accidents)
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipes
- Wide-turn accidents
- Rollovers
- Jackknife accidents (the trailer comes out of alignment, causing the truck and trailer to crash in a shape resembling a partly opened jackknife)
- Underride accidents (a car wedges below the trailer during a collision)
- Override accidents (a truck rides up and over a smaller vehicle during a collision)
- Multi-car pileups
- Forced roadway departures
- Fuel or hazardous chemical spills
All of the above types of truck accidents have the potential to cause severe or catastrophic injuries to those in smaller vehicles.
Understanding Truck Accident Injuries In Portland, OR
Even when an injury victim is fortunate enough to have mild, fully recoverable injuries from a truck accident, they have a right to seek compensation for their medical expenses and lost pay, but a successful claim is even more critical for the victim of a serious or catastrophic injury with life-altering consequences. Common injuries in Portland truck accidents include the following:
- Fractures of the limbs, hips, pelvis, ribs, clavicle, and spinal vertebrae
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal organ injuries/internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries to shoulders, knees, wrists, and ankles
- External head and facial injuries
- Burns
- Traumatic amputations
- Lacerations, abrasions, and contusions
If you lost a loved one due to the injuries they sustained in a truck accident, a Portland wrongful death attorney from Sears Injury Law can guide you through the legal process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Our experienced team will explain your legal options, protect your rights, and help you seek justice.
Injured in a truck wreck?
Contact Our Portland Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Why Is Liability Complex In Truck Accident Cases?
When an accident occurs between two cars, the liable party is likely to be one of the drivers. However, proving liability in a truck crash case is far more complicated. Many separate entities are involved in putting a properly maintained truck with a qualified, rested driver on the road hauling a trailer full of properly secured cargo. Unfortunately, this can leave many parties pointing their fingers at others. It often requires an truck accident victim’s attorney to perform a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident, pinpoint the negligent action, identify the liable party, and make a claim against the appropriate insurance policy.
Common liable parties in truck accident claims in Portland or the surrounding area include:
- The truck driver, if they are an independent contractor
- The trucking company (often liable if it employed a negligent driver or used negligent hiring, training, or monitoring methods)
- A negligent truck maintenance company
- A negligent freight-loading company
- The manufacturer of a defective part or tire
- A third party, such as a negligent road construction crew, city planning agency, or third-party driver
A diligent Portland truck accident attorney from Sears Injury Law documents compelling evidence showing that the at-fault party owed a duty of reasonable care to the injury victim, they violated this duty through negligence, the negligence caused the injury, and the injury victim suffered damages. An injury victim in a truck accident claim must prove these factors were in place when the accident occurred in order to meet the standards of liability.
What Damages Can I Recover In a Portland Truck Accident Claim?
Truck accidents often involve far more than property damage claims. About 70% of truck accident injuries occur to those in other vehicles, not the truck driver. Injuries quickly become costly. Common damages recovered in truck accident claims include the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Past and future income loss
- Lowered future earning capacity
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Catastrophic injury damages that might apply, such as loss of limb, scarring, disfigurement, the loss of one of the senses, or diminished quality of life
If a truck wreck causes a loved one’s death, family members may seek compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact Our Portland Truck Accident Attorneys Today
Truck accidents require prompt action to meet the necessary deadlines and filing requirements. Instead of adding a complex legal endeavor to your schedule while also dealing with pain and trauma, you need the assistance of an experienced Portland truck wreck attorney with a track record of success.
Contact us today so a Portland truck accident attorney from our law firm can take prompt action toward your financial recovery while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery. Schedule your free consultation today.
Visit Our Portland Office
Come visit us at our office in Portland, Oregon. We are conveniently located near you:
7931 NE Halsey St #210
Portland, OR 97213