Portland is a vital part of the Pacific Northwest economy, thanks in no small part to its location along major traffic corridors such as I-5 and I-84, and to the Port of Portland.
That makes Portland a major trucking hub that moves over 90% of Oregon’s manufactured goods. That breaks down to around 122,780 tons of goods being carried by trucks each day. Translation: No matter where you drive in Portland, you’re going to be sharing the road with trucks.
The vast majority of those trucks make their picks and deliveries without incident.
However, when a semi-truck is involved in an accident, it can be devastating. The force of impact that is generated by an 80,000-pound truck traveling at upwards of 60 miles an hour is nothing short of catastrophic. These types of accidents can instantly destroy vehicles and leave the driver and passengers with serious injuries.
Around Portland, there are increased risks of getting involved in a truck accident if you’re driving on certain stretches of the I-5 or downtown, where the combination of congestion and narrow corridors leaves no room for error.
There is also the issue of Portland’s weather to consider. Rainy days and fog are common occurrences around Portland and can contribute to collisions. It is important to remember that just because the roads are wet does not absolve the truck driver of causing an accident.
They still have to exhibit caution.
Filing an insurance claim against a negligent truck driver is not as cut and dry as it might seem. Many factors can contribute to a truck accident, and many potential liable entities may be involved.
Understanding the common causes of truck accidents in Portland can help you prepare your claim. You’ll also benefit from speaking with an experienced Portland truck accident lawyer like you’ll find at Dozier Law Group. We have years of dedicated experience helping clients recover fair compensation from negligent truck drivers and trucking companies.
One of the benefits of working with our firm is our extensive network of skilled investigators. We can gather all relevant evidence supporting our client’s account of the accident.
That begins with clearly establishing the cause.
Dozier Law Group has years of expertise in Portland and throughout Oregon, navigating truck Accident laws. Trust our team for effective representation, as we leverage our deep understanding of local regulations and a track record of success to guide you through the complexities of trucking accident litigation
Every driver must follow the rules of the road. If you’re a truck driver, there are additional regulations you must comply with, set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). For truckers, the
Hours of Service Rules are as follows:
When a driver violates HOS rules, it can lead to drowsiness behind the wheel. That can lead to a serious accident. If a driver tries to change their service hour logs or destroys that evidence, it can establish strong grounds for negligence per se.
That’s the legal concept of assigning liability, and it can help support a personal injury claim in a truck accident.
As cellphone ownership expanded, it created a new type of problem for anyone on the road: Distracted drivers. In the last decade, most states adopted hands-free driving laws.
Oregon’s law prohibits a driver from holding or using a mobile device while driving. This law applies to truck drivers as well.
If a truck driver uses their cell phone, they are taking their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel. That same level of distraction applies when they are eating, drinking, smoking, or adjusting controls. A distracted driver is 23 times more likely to get involved in a crash. When that happens in a truck, it only amplifies the severity of the crash.
You might think that if a mechanical failure causes a truck accident, there is nothing the driver can do about that. Actually, there is a lot they can do and are obligated to take care of before they embark on any delivery. Here again, the FMCSA spells out the responsibilities that a driver and trucking company have to maintain their fleet. Even though the driver doesn’t make the repairs, they still need to inspect their rig and report any problems.
When an accident occurs, part of the inspection provided by the Dozier Law Group will include looking into the following:
If a trucking company fails to conduct the required fleet inspections or delays repair, it can be further proof of liability.
Do you get nervous when driving directly behind a truck, thinking that its cargo might fly out at any moment? You’re right to be concerned. Many potential problems with improper cargo loading could lead to an accident, starting with uneven weight distribution.
That can throw off a truck’s balance and increase the chances of a rollover accident.
Overloading a truck can strain the tires, brakes, and suspension. On a long haul, that can lead to tire blowouts and brake failures. If cargo shifts during transit due to improper loading, it can make the truck more difficult to control.
In many cases, a truck is loaded by an independent crew. Although the driver does need to inspect the load, if the crew did not meet security requirements, they could be held liable for the accident.
Because of their size, weight, and high center of gravity, semi-trucks are more likely to spin out of control in bad weather. Hydroplaning is a major concern when the roads are slick with rain. If a truck driver slams on the brakes to correct a spinout, it could lead to a jackknife accident.
A trucking company might also exert pressure on the driver to “make up time.” That can lead them to exceed the speed limit. When that happens, the braking distance required for a truck to come to a complete stop increases, increasing the risk of collisions.
Driver error, specifically fatigue and distracted driving, is the leading cause of truck accidents in Portland and across Oregon. When operators fail to follow Hours of Service regulations or lose focus on congested routes like I-5, the risk of a catastrophic collision increases significantly. A proper investigation is required to determine whether the driver or the trucking company is at fault.
Liability in a truck accident can fall on multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking corporation, the cargo loading company, or vehicle parts manufacturers. Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. An experienced attorney can help identify all insurance policies available for your claim.
Portland’s frequent rain and winter ice require truck drivers to exercise extreme caution and reduce speeds. If a truck driver fails to adjust their driving to hazardous weather conditions and causes a crash, they can be held liable for negligence even if they were driving within the posted speed limit. Evidence such as weather reports and black box data is vital in these cases.
Truck accident cases are not like a typical collision between two cars. Determining who is responsible requires a thorough investigation of all parties involved. That investigation starts with the truck driver’s actions that led up to the crash. It can also involve the trucking company’s actions.
In order to establish liability, you will need access to the truck’s black box data, driver logbooks, maintenance and inspection records, and available surveillance footage.
That might be hard to come by on your own, but it is something Dozier Law Group excels at. We have a network of investigators and accident reconstruction experts who help support every case we take on. It’s also important to note that we won’t accept a case unless we’re confident we can prevail.
Insurance companies move quickly to limit their exposure, especially when high-value truck accident claims are involved. Having an experienced legal team on your side ensures critical evidence is preserved, liability is properly established, and blame is not unfairly shifted onto you.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Portland truck accident, don’t wait to protect your rights. We want to hear from you. Schedule a free consultation with Dozier Law Group today. Let us help you get your life back on track with compassionate support and guidance.
