Four Common Causes of Oregon Truck Accidents

Even if you are the most diligent driver on I-5 or any other highway in Oregon, truck accidents can still happen. This corridor is a main artery for our supply chains, and the busy ports of the Pacific Northwest that play a crucial role in the economy of the nation and the world are powered by our semi-truck drivers. Drivers in our area share the road with more trucks than many other communities in America.

Oregon truck accidents can bring devastating injuries to you if you or a loved one is hit. Insurance is often not enough to deal with the pain and suffering that follows an accident. The associates at Wm. Keith Dozier Trial Attorney are Portland truck accident lawyers who have represented clients in Oregon truck accidents for years with an abundance of successful results. These verdicts bring substantial relief to those who have been injured due to these complex types of accidents.

“By their nature, trucking accidents are more complicated than regular motor vehicle accidents,” says Wm. Keith Dozier. “They are also one of the most devastating accidents, as the injuries in a truck accident are typically much more severe than other vehicle accidents.”

Because of the complicated nature of trucking accidents in Oregon, it is crucial for those seeking a personal injury attorney to consult a lawyer with proven results, extensive trial experience, and a meticulous attention to the details when it comes to gathering the sometimes elusive evidence for your trucking accident case.

Related Article: Understanding Your Rights After a Car Accident in Oregon

Things to Know About Oregon Truck Accident Cases

Semi-truck accidents are complex due to the many parties that may be involved. There are many reasons why an accident may have occurred. An experienced lawyer like Wm. Keith Dozier finds the best angle for your case to get the compensation you need to recover and move forward.

Some common causes of trucking accidents include:

Hazardous Road Conditions

Semi-trucks are not optimized to travel effectively through rural areas and are often met with hazardous or unlit road conditions. This is why the majority of trucking accidents, over 57%, happen in rural areas. Bad weather, especially rain and snow, like we have in the Pacific Northwest, heightens the chance of truck accidents occurring.

Driver Impairment or Exhaustion

Inadequate sleep among truck drivers is a growing epidemic, and many company regulations are insufficient to address the growing safety concerns. Truck drivers sometimes engage in the same types of dangerous impairments as other drivers, including distracted driving or inebriation due to substance use. There are some stretches on our Oregon highways where it is darker because of the rural areas, and that can be a dangerous mixture with fatigued drivers.

Hazardous Load or Materials

Loads that are secured improperly can lead to a slew of trucking accidents, especially if the materials fall out of the truck and injure other drivers. If those materials are explosive, corrosive, flammable, or otherwise dangerous, this can result in additional injuries and complications.

Mechanical Issues

Truck mechanical issues can be due to many reasons, whether it be faulty parts from the manufacturer or from unsatisfactory maintenance of the vehicle.

If you are injured due to a trucking accident caused by any of these reasons, a personal injury lawyer is crucial to getting the compensation you need. Often, the parties involved in a trucking accident are large entities that an individual will be ill-equipped to handle alone. An attorney handles complications so that you can focus on your recovery.

Successful Oregon Truck Accident Verdicts

Wm. Keith Dozier, Trial Lawyer and Associates, are located as a Portland truck accident lawyer and specializes in Oregon truck accidents. We have acquired both settlements and trial victories for our clients. Our policy is to work honestly with you about your case to bring you the results you need.

Some of our successful trucking accident verdicts include:

  • A settlement for a woman who suffered a brain injury when a defective and dangerous piece of industrial equipment caused a massive vehicle accident. The case settled for a confidential amount.
  • A settlement for the family of a four-year-old child who was struck and killed by a commercial semi truck at an intersection. The case settled for a confidential amount to set up a fund for the surviving children’s education.
  • A judgment for a semi-truck driver when the driver of another semi truck crashed into the plaintiff due to driving at high speed on snow and ice. The plaintiff obtained a judgment of $200,000 to pay his lost wages and fix his damaged truck.

We’ve seen first-hand the devastation that truck accidents can cause. Let an experienced and successful personal injury attorney fight for you.

Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Oregon Truck Accident

If you feel that you are not receiving the compensation you deserve, you have a right to contact an attorney and seek compensation. We have proven results, including a unanimous jury verdict for $19 million. We have achieved numerous recoveries in excess of a million dollars for severely injured clients. Contact us today to request a free case evaluation.