Portland Truck Accident Attorney

Trucking companies may push drivers to exceed drive time limits or not take long enough rests between driving days.  They may hire unqualified drivers or provide inadequate training.  They may even put unsafe or improperly maintained vehicles on Oregon roadways.

At Paulson Coletti, each Portland truck accident lawyer at our firm believes that negligent trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers, and any other corporate entities that contribute to trucking collisions must be held accountable.  If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a truck accident in the greater Portland area, you are not alone.

Our personal injury attorneys in Portland have spent decades fighting for the rights of those injured across the state of Oregon and are ready to stand by your side.

Call today for a free and confidential case evaluation

Why Choose Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC?

After a truck accident, you need a law firm on your side that understands how to handle truck accident cases and has a demonstrated track record of success in handling them.  At Paulson Coletti, we are among the most experienced trial law firms in the Pacific Northwest.

• Millions recovered. We protect truck accident victims and stand up for them against negligent truckers and their employers. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients who were injured by trucks or large commercial vehicles, including three trial verdicts in excess of $13 million.
• Expert advocacy. We are deeply familiar with FMCSA trucking regulations, how insurers and trucking companies approach these situations, and how to build strong cases for trial.
• Resourceful investigation. We know where to look for evidence of wrongdoing and have the resources at our disposal to take on the largest corporate defendants.
• No-win, no-fee. We handle every case on a contingency fee basis, meaning we never charge a fee to handle a truck accident case unless we win.

Portland Truck Accident Resources

To immediately access the resources at any point on this page, click the corresponding link below.

Our Truck Accident Victories
Our Experience With Portland Truck Accidents
How Often Do Truck Accidents Happen?
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Portland
Statute of Limitations for Oregon Truck Accidents
The Value of a Truck Accident Settlement
How Much Insurance Must Truckers Carry?
Being Prepared on the Roadway
Speak to an Attorney Today

Our Truck Accident Victories in Portland

Our truck and motorcycle accident lawyers in Portland have been able to secure many successful settlements and verdicts for our clients involved in trucking accidents, including:

• Verdict for client who was run off the road by a semi-truck and suffered a bleed on his brain
• Verdict of $1.3 million after our client’s wife was killed and he lost a leg in a head-on collision with a semi-truck.
• Settlement for passenger in improperly loaded semi-truck that fell over on the freeway
• Confidential settlement for father killed by semi-truck going too fast and losing control.
• Scott Busch v. McInnis Waste Systems: $13.9 million dollar verdict for a pedestrian hit by a garbage truck who suffered a leg amputation.

Our Portland Truck Accident Lawyers Have Over 50 Years of Legal Experience

Semi-trucks can be up to six times larger than passenger vehicles in terms of size, weight, and engine size. While most cars weigh approximately 5,000 pounds, big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. This size disparity highlights the risk large commercial vehicles pose to other motorists.

Trucking regulations require truckers to follow guidelines such as:

• Taking regular rest breaks to avoid driver fatigue
• Not driving over the maximum number of miles allowed
• Maintaining the vehicle according to standards
• Observing weight and loading restrictions
• Strictly following the zero drug and alcohol policy for drivers

If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident, taking the first step to protect your rights is as simple as calling Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC. Our Portland truck accident lawyers are passionate about protecting the rights of the injured and holding irresponsible truck drivers accountable.

We are always available to discus your legal options, deal with your insurance company, and fight for maximum compensation. We’ve seen firsthand the carnage that can occur when truckers don’t follow safety regulations. We can help you stand up to the trucking industry.

How Often Do Truck Accidents Happen?

Semi trucks are all over the highways of Oregon. They are an essential part of our economy, ensuring our residents have the goods and services they need each day. What many people do not realize is that accidents involving these trucks happen regularly. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were around 172,000 people injured and over 5,788 people killed in truck crashes during the latest reporting year in the United States.

During the latest reporting year in Oregon, there were 1,364 total truck crashes. Out of those incidents, there were 59 fatalities and 655 injuries.

What Are the Most Common Truck Accident Injuries?

Truck accidents often cause much more severe injuries than we see in traditional vehicle car accidents. According to the FMCSA, a fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Considering the weight and size of these vehicles, it is not surprising that serious injuries are common with these accidents.

It is not uncommon for our Portland truck accident attorneys to help client secure compensation for the following injuries:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken or dislocated bones
• Loss of or damage to a bodily organ
• Dismemberment or amputation
• Significant disfigurement

These injuries all require immediate and significant medical care. Victims of truck accidents often face major medical bills and lost income if they cannot work while they recover from their injuries. In some cases, a victim’s injuries may even prove fatal and result in a Portland wrongful death lawsuit.

Trying to stand up to a trucking company or deal with their insurance companies can seem like an uphill battle. In many ways it is. We have handled enough truck accident cases to understand this.

What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Portland?

Truck accidents can result from many factors, including mechanical failures and human error. The most common causes include:

• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers must comply with strict regulations on driving and rest hours.

• Mechanical failures: Trucks require rigorous maintenance. Faulty brakes or improperly secured cargo can lead to severe accidents.

• Specific truck types: Commercial vehicle accidents can involve different types of trucks. For example, box trucks are prone to tipping over if loaded improperly, while garbage trucks operate in busy urban areas, increasing the risk of collisions with pedestrians and cyclists.

Commercial Driver’s License

Truck drivers should always have their commercial driver’s licenses and be properly trained to operate the vehicle they are in. They must follow FMCSA regulations regarding how many hours they are allowed to operate in a day and during the week to prevent fatigued driving. Under no circumstances should a truck driver operate while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or while distracted by a cell phone or other device.

Commercial Truck Safety

Truck companies have a duty to ensure their vehicles are safe on the roadway. This means they must perform regular inspections and maintenance on each vehicle to prevent any part from failing.

A failure of the brakes, drivetrain, steering, suspension, lighting, or other vital system can lead to serious accidents. It is on truck companies to ensure their drivers are trained and qualified.

Defective Parts

Truck and part manufacturers, like any other product manufacturers, have a duty to ensure they do not sell defective vehicles or parts, or they could be held liable for damages in a crash.

Determining who is legally responsible for a truck accident can be complicated and often requires extensive investigation. Trucks may be owned by one company, operated by another, maintained by a third company, and driven by someone who may be an employee or an independent contractor.

How Truck Accident Claims Differ from Car Accident Claims

Truck accident claims are notably more complex than standard car accident claims, primarily due to the size and commercial nature of trucks. Here are some key differences:

• Multiple parties involved: A car accident in Portland is typically between the drivers, but truck accidents can involve the truck driver, the trucking company, contractors, vehicle manufacturers, and various insurance companies. Underride truck accidents are particularly dangerous and involve additional liability considerations.
• Severe injuries and damages: Given their size and weight, trucks can cause more catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage compared to regular vehicles. This elevates the stakes of the claim, often leading to larger settlement demands and more aggressive defense tactics from insurance companies.
• Regulatory environment: Truck drivers and companies must adhere to strict federal and state regulations, including hours-of-service rules, maintenance requirements, and load restrictions. Violations of these regulations can be pivotal in establishing liability.
• In-depth investigations: Due to the potential for higher compensation and the involvement of commercial entities, truck accident investigations are typically more thorough. They often require expert analyses, extensive evidence collection, and a deeper understanding of commercial vehicle operations.

Types of Evidence Needed for a Successful Truck Accident Claim

A comprehensive collection of evidence is usually needed for a successful truck accident claim. This includes:

• Photos and videos of the accident scene: Detailed imagery of the accident scene, including the positions of the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and any debris from the crash, provides a visual account of the incident.
• Witness statements: Eyewitness accounts can offer unbiased perspectives on the accident, potentially revealing details that may not be immediately apparent.
• Police and accident reports: These reports provide an authoritative and initial assessment of the accident, including any citations issued and observations made by law enforcement officers.
• The truck driver’s logbooks and employment records: These can indicate whether the truck driver complied with federal hours-of-service regulations, which limit driving hours to prevent fatigue. Employment records might also show a history of negligence or insufficient training.
• The truck maintenance records: Regular maintenance is mandatory for commercial trucks. These records can reveal if the truck was in proper working condition or if neglect played a role in the accident.
• Your medical records and bills: Documentation of your injuries and medical expenses is vital for calculating appropriate compensation. This includes your hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and records of any long-term care needed.
• Expert testimonies: Experts in fields like accident reconstruction, trucking regulations, and medical professions can provide critical insights and validate the claim’s arguments.
• Electronic control modules (ECM) data: Many trucks are equipped with ECMs, similar to an airplane’s black box, which can provide data on the truck’s speed, brake usage, and other factors at the time of the accident.
• Cell phone records: These can be used to determine if the truck driver was distracted at the time of the accident.

Collecting and effectively presenting this evidence requires attention to detail and a thorough understanding of truck accident law. Our Portland truck accident attorney can gather all of this evidence on your behalf.

Statute of Limitations for Oregon Truck Accidents

All states put certain time limits, known as statute of limitations, on how long a person has to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Oregon, truck accident victims have two years from the date the accident happens to file a lawsuit against a negligent party.

If a person dies as a result of a truck accident in Oregon, the victim’s family members have three years from the date of the crash to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Our Portland truck accident lawyer can help you every step of the way.

The Value of a Truck Accident Settlement

There is no set amount for how much a truck accident settlement is worth, and it will depend on the fact of the case. Victims of truck accidents can generally recover various types of economic and non-economic compensation. This includes:

Medical Treatment

This is considered an economic damage and accounts for all medical expenses a person incurs due to the truck crash. These damages are generally calculated using the victim’s medical bills. It may be necessary to get assistance from medical experts when calculating the expected cost of future medical care for a truck accident victim.

This could include rehabilitation and physical therapy, as well as possible in-home care. Whether you suffered whiplash or require the assistance of a brain injury attorney in Portland, our legal team can help.

Lost Income

This is also considered an economic damage. This is designed to help truck accident victims recover the wages and benefits they lose if they cannot work due to their truck accident injuries.

These damages are generally calculated by gathering a person’s payment history. Lost income could also include calculations of a person’s future income lost if their injuries have temporarily or permanently disabled them.

Pain and Suffering

This is considered a non-economic damage. These damages are not always as easy to calculate as medical bills and lost income because they do not come with receipts. Generally, a jury will be asked to assign a dollar value to the following:

• Long-term physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

If the at-fault party was grossly negligent or the incident was caused by their intentional actions, they could be held liable for punitive damages as well. These damages are assigned as a punishment to the at-fault party and to act as a deterrent to them committing the same acts in the future.

There are no limits on what a person can be awarded in damages in an Oregon truck accident case. Previously, the state had a cap of $500,000 placed on non-economic damages, but the Oregon Court of Appeals struck down the law.

The total value of each case will vary based on the medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering a person experiences.

How Much Insurance are Truckers Required to Carry?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that interstate truckers (which includes most of the truckers on the roadway) maintain minimum levels of insurance coverage depending on the type of cargo they carry.

• $300,000 for non-hazardous cargo that is transported in vehicles weighing less than 10,001 pounds.
• $750,000 for general freight carriers. The requirement can go up to $5,000,000 depending on what is being transported.
• $1,000,000 for private carriers of oil and some types of hazardous waste.
• $5,000,000 for carriers of different types of hazardous substances.

Tanker truck accidents often involve unique insurance claims due to the hazardous nature of their cargo.