Portland Truck Accident Lawyers
Tough representation for Oregon truck accident victims
Cars are no match for trucks. When a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, semi, or any commercial truck collides with a car, the occupants in the car will suffer the most. Many truck accidents are deadly or cause catastrophic injuries. At Philbrook Law Office, our personal injury lawyers have been fighting for truck accident victims for nearly 20 years. Our Portland truck accident lawyers have the experience and resources to show how your accident happened and why truck drivers and trucking companies should be held liable for your injuries or the death of a loved one. We demand compensation for all your medical bills, income loss, pain and suffering, and property damage. Call us today to assert your rights.
How can we help?
- How dangerous are truck accidents in Oregon?
- Why do truck accidents happen in Portland, Oregon?
- What types of truck accidents do you handle?
- Who is liable for a Portland, OR truck accident?
- What types of injuries do truck accidents in Portland, OR cause?
- How much is my Portland, OR truck accident case worth?
- Do you have a Portland truck accident lawyer near me?
How dangerous are truck accidents in Oregon?
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, there were 2,336 accidents in Oregon in 2021 involving medium or heavy trucks. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2021, more than 5,900 large trucks and buses were involved in deadly crashes nationwide. In 2021, large trucks and buses were involved in 119,000 accidents nationwide that caused injuries.
Truck accidents happen for many reasons, including:
- Large trucks are difficult to control
- Large trucks take much longer, wider, taller, and heavier than cars
- Large trucks need more time and distance to stop
- Drivers of large trucks are prone to fatigue
If you’re in a collision while driving on I-5, I-84, US-26, OR-8, or any other interstate or road in Portland; our lawyers are ready to help you immediately.
Why do truck accidents happen in Portland, Oregon?
At Philbrook Law Office, we work with the police, investigators, trucking industry professionals, and other traffic and truck professionals to show how your accident and who is responsible. Some of the leading causes of truck accidents in Portland include:
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Truck accidents may also be due to defective truck parts (brakes, airbags, electrical systems, tires, and other parts) and defective road design.
What types of truck accidents do you handle?
Our Portland truck accident lawyers are skilled at showing you were involved in a head-on crash, broadside, rear-end collision, passing accident, or other types of accidents comparable to car accidents.
Our personal injury lawyers also handle accidents that are generally unique to trucks including:
- Truck rollovers. These accidents occur because the center of gravity of trucks is higher than for cars. Trucks are prone to roll over if the driver turns too quickly or the cargo shifts while the truck is in transit. Truck rollovers endanger the truck driver and any vehicles near the truck.
- Blindspot accidents. It’s common knowledge that trucks have terrible sightlines. There are no rear windows or windows extending the truck's length. Drivers need to use extra caution when turning or shifting lanes. Truck owners and companies should ensure their trucks have the latest camera and video blind spot technology.
- Jackknife accidents. When a tractor and a trailer travel in different directions or at different speeds, the trailer and tractor can close in on each other like the blades of a jackknife. Common causes of jackknife accidents are speeding, skidding empty trucks, curved roads, and shifting cargo. Jackknife accidents in Portland endanger the truck driver and any vehicle or person near the tractor-trailer.
- Wide turn crashes. It’s pretty easy to see that trucks need a lot of room when they turn. Most trucks need to shift into another lane to complete the turn. Any vehicles to the side of the truck or close to the truck can be crunched when the truck turns. It helps, but it’s not enough, that trucks have warning signs about the dangers of wide turns. Truck drivers need to protect other drivers when they turn at intersections or elsewhere.
- Underride crashes. When cars and trucks collide, the cars can slide under the truck or the truck can drive over the car. Commercial trucks are now generally required to have rear guards to prevent truck underride accidents. Trucking companies can help protect the people in small cars if the trucks also have side guards.
- Cargo overloads and improperly loaded cargo. Trucks shouldn’t be properly loaded more than any Oregon or federal truck weight limits permit. Each type of cargo (gas, liquid, and solid) should be properly loaded so the cargo doesn’t shift while the truck moves. Shifting cargo can cause a truck driver to lose control. Cargo that spills can cause multiple collisions as other vehicles try to avoid the spilled cargo or the truck.
- Truck tire blowouts. Just one tire blowout can cause a truck driver to lose control of their truck. Truck drivers and trucking companies should regularly check the condition and pressure of each truck tire.
Who is liable for a Portland, OR truck accident?
At Philbrook Law Office, we have the experience to hold everyone responsible for your accident accountable. Our Portland truck accident attorneys file claims against one or more of the following:
- The truck driver
- The truck owners if the driver doesn’t own the truck
- The truck driver’s employer
- The trucking companies involved in the shipment including the broker who arranged the shipment
- The owners of a loading/unloading dock
- The manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of defective truck parts
- A tavern or seller of alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron or a minor who then caused your accident due to their intoxication
- The Oregon Department of Transportation and other governmental entities involved in the design or maintenance of the roads where your truck accident happened
What types of injuries do truck accidents in Portland, OR cause?
Trucks often cause catastrophic, permanent, chronic, and/or serious injuries. Cars are simply no match for rigs, semis, and other large trucks. Common truck accident injuries include:
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How much is my Portland, OR truck accident case worth?
Our Portland lawyers demand compensation from the responsible defendants for your current and future:
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You may also be entitled to punitive damages if the defendant’s actions were malicious or wanton.
We also seek wrongful death damages if your loved one died due to the fault of others. These damages include the funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support, and the loss of personal support (love, education, and comfort).
Do you have a Portland truck accident lawyer near me?
Philbrook Law Office meets truck accident victims and families at our Portland, Oregon office located at 107 SE Washington St. Suite 520. We also consult with clients at their homes or healthcare facilities when necessary. Other consultation methods include phone calls and online conferences.
We’ll get you through this upsetting time. We’ll answer all your questions and explain how the claims process works.
Get help from Philbrook Law Office’s truck accident lawyers now
You have medical bills and daily living bills to pay now. Your pain hurts every day. At Philbrook Law Office, PS, we’ve helped many personal injury victims obtain strong recoveries – many times for the insurance policy limits. To discuss your truck accident case with our Philbrook truck accident lawyers, please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve clients in the greater Portland area and throughout Oregon and Washington.