Portland Truck Accident Attorney

What Will an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Do Differently than a Car Accident Attorney?

Car accidents are far less complicated than truck accidents. Typically, a car accident attorney must demonstrate that their client's injuries were caused by the other driver and support the damages with expert testimony.

Truck accident cases are never that simple and necessitate all of the skills and knowledge of a car accident lawyer, intimate knowledge of Federal and State laws applicable to truck drivers on the road, and trucking and shipping company business practices.

Your truck attorney will:

• Conduct their own investigation into your collision in addition to the official police report. They will hire experienced investigators to conduct a more detailed investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
• Investigate whether any of the aforementioned preventable factors contributed to the accident.
• Investigate the driver and his or her suitability to operate a tractor-trailer truck.
• Hire accident reconstruction experts who will create a virtual simulation of how the accident occurred using data collected at the scene. The defense will employ the same methodology in the hopes of contradicting your and the police accounts, so we must be thorough in our investigation.
• Consult with medical experts about the nature and severity of your injuries, as well as how the truck accident is the only possible explanation for how they occurred. Many people have been injured at some point in their lives, and the truck company's defense attorneys will try to link any previous injuries to those caused by the truck crash. We must be prepared to fight any attempts to reduce your claim.

Every case is unique, but one thing remains constant: trucking cases necessitate a significant amount of resources to properly litigate. While a car accident attorney may do a good job of keeping up with the defense, our Portland truck accident attorneys understand that in order to win your case, they must do more than just keep up with opposing counsel.

How To Hire a Portland Truck Accident Attorney?

We handle many truck accident cases in Oregon, representing both passenger car occupants and truck drivers. To find a great Portland truck accident lawyer, look for someone with extensive trucking case experience. Your attorney should understand that a trucking case is a “systems case,” encompassing driver qualifications, supervision, and training. Metier Law Firm has decades of experience representing clients and protecting their rights in complex trucking cases. All truck accident claims demand a thorough investigation, expert witness testimony, and swift evidence preservation, as the trucking company will often send investigators to the scene immediately.

How Are Truck Crashes Different From Car Accidents?

In a truck crash case, you must always deal with the issues of driver supervision, driver training, and the driver's qualifications prior to taking the job. Those are important considerations that don’t apply to a passenger car crash.

Other ways truck crashes are different than car accident include:

• Injuries are almost always much worse – most are life-altering.
  There may be multiple liable parties, and the majority of them will not even be present during the crash.
• There may be multiple insurance policies, the majority of which are much larger than passenger car insurance policy limits.
• The legal teams will be much larger and more aggressive than in passenger car accident claims.
• Truck accidents are far more dangerous and complicated than car accidents. This is why you should always consult with a Portland commercial truck accident attorney who has the experience, knowledge, and track record to defend your claim and fight for your rights.

What To Do in a Truck Crash?

There are two things you need to get done to ensure you are doing everything you can to get justice:

1. Get your injuries diagnosed and treated. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
2. Hire a lawyer. Timing is crucial; an attorney can preserve critical “black box” data and other evidence.

First and foremost, a doctor will be able to relieve your pain or establish a medical treatment plan for your recovery. Nobody wants to suffer. Do not put off going to the doctor; instead, go as soon as possible. Most passengers in passenger cars are seriously injured and will be taken to a hospital by ambulance.

Second, you cannot handle a trucking accident case on your own. Hire a Portland truck accident attorney as soon as possible. In these cases, timing is everything, and the longer you wait, the more likely you are to lose critical evidence.

Many lawyers will advise you to obtain the truck driver's information or gather evidence, but we've discovered that most people involved in truck accidents are unable to do much at the scene. If you were taken away in an ambulance and unable to take pictures or gather evidence, your attorney, not a friend or family member, should go to the scene. A friend is unlikely to know what to look for or how to collect it.

What are Common Causes of Portland Truck Accidents?

Driver Errors

One of the most common causes of collisions is driver error. Sleeping at the wheel, driving while impaired, distracted driving, and driving or taking a turn at an unsafe speed are just a few of the mistakes that truck drivers are prone to making.

Cargo Shifts

Another danger that drivers face is cargo shifting within the trailer. When cargo is improperly loaded or secured, or if it is inherently dangerous and moves within the truck, the weight can shift while the truck is traveling 70 mph or more on the highway.

If the cargo shifts, a truck driver may not be able to maneuver safely and in some cases, lose control entirely.

Vehicle Defects

Sometimes the truck itself has a faulty component. Nothing is more frightening than a truck driver applying the brakes only to find that they have failed. A serious tire blowout while driving down the highway can be just as dangerous.

Company Mistakes

In some cases, an accident would never have occurred if a trucking company had not made a mistake. Examples of such errors include

• Failing to inspect or service trucks
• Failing to properly train or hire drivers with clean driving records
• Pressuring drivers to breach hours of service requirements

Other Drivers’ Dangerous Behaviors

Other drivers on the road can also contribute to Wyoming truck accidents. Aggressive driving, cutting off a large truck, driving in blind spots, and attempting to pass a large truck illegally are all dangerous behaviors that can result in a crash.

What are Common injuries from truck accidents?

Metier Law Firm has represented and won cases for clients with a wide range of injuries in our 40+ years of practice. Even injuries that appear minor at first glance can turn out to be much more serious. Metier Law Firm has represented people who have suffered devastating injuries from truck accidents nationwide.

Healing times vary depending on the nature of the injury, and we understand that during this time, your case and mental health are just as important as your physical health. Anxiety and depression are common after a car accident and can slow healing.

As a result, seeking assistance from an experienced Portland truck accident attorney is one of the most important and healthy steps to reducing the impact of post-accident stress. With the assistance of a truck accident lawyer in Oregon handling your case, you can reduce emotional and financial stress while healing from your injuries, which can include any of these:

• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Seat Belt injuries
• Broken bones
• Rib and torso injuries
• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Paralysis
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal organ injuries
• Burn injuries
• Lacerations

Large commercial trucks also significantly increase the possibility of a fatal collision. If a person was killed in a commercial truck accident, family members of the deceased may decide to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent truck driver and the company that employed the driver.

Who Is Liable in a Portland truck collision?

Many different types of negligence can lead to a Portland commercial truck accident. This negligence can occur from any party on the road, including those who are not.

Your truck accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation into all potential sources of liability, such as the following:

• The truck driver whose carelessness caused the accident - Truck accidents can occur as a result of tired drivers, driving too fast for the conditions on the road, failing to check their blind spots, or having vehicles with maintenance issues that should have been detected during the pre-trip inspection.
• The trucking company that employs the driver - Trucking companies are required to insure their trucks and drivers. They must also ensure that their drivers are properly trained to operate the truck. When they hire unsafe drivers or push them to take unsafe risks, truck crashes happen and crashes occur.
• Third parties - If the accident was caused by a mechanical issue that should have been detected and corrected by the mechanic performing routine service for the trucking company or the owner/operator, this entity is responsible for performing maintenance services on the truck.

Not every truck accident case has a single source of liability. A truck driver is frequently held responsible, but so is another driver, the truck driver's company, or even a manufacturer or mechanic. Your Portland truck accident attorney will thoroughly investigate your claim to determine all potential sources of liability. Each of these sources will also look for liability insurance policies that can be used to compensate you.

Are Truck Accidents Caused by Tire Failures Preventable?

Yes. Tire failure on commercial trucks is often a combination of speed, tire damage, friction, and pressure. Heavy loads increase the pressure on the tires and make them more likely to fail.

Driving a commercial truck through Oregon’s diverse terrain and elevation can cause the pressure inside the tire to fluctuate, resulting in a blowout. After a truck accident involving a tire blowout, your Portland truck accident attorney will want to see the pre-trip inspection records for the driver to ensure that the driver had performed this inspection as the law requires.

Commercial trucks travel many more miles, often at higher speeds and carrying up to 80,000 pounds in a loaded trailer. This causes the truck's parts to wear more quickly, such as the engine, brakes, and tires.

Three types of truck tire defects can result in a liable manufacturer, including design defects, manufacturing defects and packaging defects. Manufacturers and those in the manufacturing chain (such as distributors and retailers) are responsible for ensuring that the parts they make for use on commercial trucks are safe when used per packaging instructions. Some tires are defective and prone to failure regardless of the inspections and maintenance performed on the truck due to manufacturing defects. Some tires are defective and prone to failure regardless of the inspections and maintenance performed on the truck due to manufacturing defects.

Navigating Oregon Truck Accident Laws with an Experienced Portland Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accident laws in Oregon can be daunting for injured victims, especially when dealing with federal regulations and insurance companies determined to minimize payouts. Hiring an experienced Portland truck accident lawyer ensures you have a knowledgeable advocate who understands the complexities of a commercial vehicle crash.

At Metier Law Firm, our team of experienced Portland truck accident lawyers has decades of experience handling catastrophic injuries, including cases involving lost wages, skyrocketing medical bills, and severe emotional trauma.

By working with a qualified truck accident attorney in Portland or Portland semi-truck accident lawyer, you’ll benefit from strategic guidance on types of truck accidents and in-depth knowledge of truck accident laws. Whether it’s a rear-end collision caused by a fatigued driver or a high-speed crash due to faulty brakes, we meticulously investigate every aspect of your claim. Our approach ensures injured victims receive full compensation for their lost wages, medical care, and pain and suffering.

With each truck accident case, our law firm examines crucial factors like driver qualifications, cargo loading procedures, and potential mechanical failures. As an Oregon truck accident lawyer, we also keep abreast of federal regulations that govern commercial trucking. These regulations often influence the outcome of negotiations with insurance companies and help determine fault in multi-party disputes. If you’re seeking justice and fair compensation, contact our office for a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Portland today. We’re committed to protecting your rights and securing the best possible outcome.