Trucks and other large commercial vehicles are a constant hazard to the well-being of everyone else on the road, including drivers in their own vehicles, passengers in those cars, people on bikes, and even pedestrians. The large size of trucks and the strenuous hours that drivers must often work combine to lead to a high frequency of collisions. These events can not only result in harsh physical injuries but may also devastate your quality of life and ability to support your family.
A Portland truck accident lawyer wants to help you pursue the compensation that you need to cover your losses. They work to show that a trucker was negligent in causing a collision and, in certain cases, that their employer shares liability. The dedicated injury attorneys at our firm also strive to protect your case against any allegations of shared blame or other factors that may limit your ability to receive the payments that you deserve.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Collisions in Portland
Every accident involving motor vehicles in Portland is someone’s fault. However, one driver’s mode of transportation rarely has anything to do with this analysis. All drivers have an obligation to protect others while on the road. This includes following all relevant traffic laws and operating their vehicles with appropriate caution.
As a result, many semi-truck crash cases revolve around the same questions as other car wreck claims. An experienced Portland tractor-trailer collision lawyer could help to show that a trucker was speeding, failed to signal a lane change, was texting while driving, or was operating while under the influence of alcohol.
In addition, special rules apply to the operation of many commercial vehicles. Prominent among these are the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules concerning maximum drive times for long-haul truckers. In short, these regulations dictate how many hours a driver may be on the road during any day or week. Violations of these laws may also be powerful indicators of a trucker’s fault for a particular accident.
Evaluating the Impact of Tractor-Trailer Wrecks
Every crash that occurs on Portland’s roads is a serious matter. However, perhaps no examples of traffic incidents carry as much risk as those involving commercial vehicles. In almost every instance, the trucker’s vehicle will obliterate a passenger car. This means that the amount of force present in collisions can yield devastating results, including substantial physical injuries. These often include:
- Whiplash
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Separated joints
- Sprained ligaments
- Concussions and other forms of traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation
An at-fault trucker, their insurance provider, and even their employer may need to provide compensation to an injured individual for all necessary medical care.
However, most incidents affect more than just a person’s physical health. Most physical injuries include some level of stress and pain. They may also cause a person to experience nightmares or other forms of emotional trauma. Finally, injuries may force a person to miss time on the job or even result in a permanent disability. An 18-wheeler crash lawyer in Portland strives to understand how an incident has affected a person’s life and demand appropriate payments from all liable defendants.
Speak with a Portland Truck Accident Attorney Immediately
The hours and days following accidents involving commercial vehicles are vital to your legal rights. While you are seeking the medical care that you need to limit the damage of these incidents, defendant drivers and their insurance companies are gathering evidence and planning their defenses. Thus, it is vital that you have an ally on your side
A seasoned Portland truck accident lawyer is ready to provide the support that you need. They work to gather the evidence needed to build powerful claims against truck drivers that leave no doubt as to their responsibility for the incident. At the same time, they work to measure the impact of the crash on your life and protect your claim against aggressive insurance company tactics. Reach out to today to get started.