One of the first lessons we learn as a new driver is that we’re sharing the road. Every traffic law reinforces the need to watch out for other drivers. That is why we should also signal our intention to turn or merge, obey speed limits, and yield to oncoming traffic. When a driver fails to fulfill their duty of care to other drivers, accidents happen. Those accidents can be especially devastating when they involve a fully loaded semi-truck.
If you’ve been involved in a crash with a commercial vehicle, you might not know where to begin the insurance claim process. Do you file a claim against the truck driver or the trucking company? Perhaps both would be liable. This is why you need to hire an experienced Portland truck accident lawyer like you’ll find at the Dozier Law Group.
Our legal team provides prospective clients with the guidance and information they need to make the right decision about where to file a claim and the scope of the damages.
Seeking compensation after a truck accident is not something you want to tackle on your own. Dozier Law Group is standing by to help.
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
As you might expect, there are many rules and regulations that apply to the trucking industry. The primary state agency is the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), which handles permits, safety, and regulations.
ODOT works closely with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which sets regulations for interstate trucking that also apply within the state. As such, there is significant overlap and oversight in the aftermath of any truck accident.
Here’s what has to be investigated:
There are rules that truckers and carriers must comply with regarding commercial driving licenses (CDLs), medical fitness, and training. If any of those issues are not in compliance, it could create liability issues.
Truckers must enter their hours of service in electronic logs. The FMCSA sets those rules that Oregon follows. If it can be demonstrated that a driver falsified those records, it could constitute clear negligence.
There are mandates in place for inspections and repairs that must be followed. Failure to maintain brakes, tires, lights, and other systems can result in horrific accidents.
There are specific requirements in place that must be met for properly securing cargo.
If those rules aren’t followed, a cargo can shift, leading to a rollover or jackknife accident.
There are minimum insurance requirements for truckers that need to be met. The limits of these policies will directly affect the final settlement.
These are the types of issues that the team from Dozier Law Group can explain in detail.
The goal remains to help you make an informed decision about your accident claim.
Another benefit of hiring a knowledgeable Portland truck accident attorney is the support they can provide in identifying all potentially liable parties in a trucking claim. In an accident involving two drivers, assigning blame is easy.
An accident that involves a commercial vehicle, the following parties could be held liable for the accident:
It is not uncommon in a truck accident claim for liability to be shared among more than one entity. When it can be clearly established who is at fault, it increases the likelihood of fair compensation.
The moment of impact between your car and a truck will be shocking and overwhelming.
If you were injured, you would no doubt call for help and be somewhat immobile until it arrived. Depending on the severity of the accident, traffic lanes may have been blocked and needed to be cleared. All of this can compromise gathering evidence at the crash scene.
A skilled truck accident attorney will know how to track down all the relevant evidence from the crash scene and beyond. Here’s what should be collected:
Each one of those items can play a crucial role in determining the outcome of your settlement. You might not have direct access to this evidence, but a lawyer will know how to track it down.
Insurance is a simple concept. You pay a premium for a policy, and in the event of a loss, that policy is intended to make you whole again. Although an insurance policy is treated as a type of business contract, that doesn’t automatically mean the insurance agency will comply with that contract.
In other words, they will do everything they can to delay or deny making a payment on the policy.
There is also the consideration of Oregon’s contributory negligence law to consider. Under that law, you can be found partially responsible for the accident. If that occurs, the amount of your settlement can be reduced by the percentage of blame you’ve been assigned.
That’s why you need a fierce legal advocate to counter the aggressive insurance tactics.
Here’s what the attorneys at the Dozier Law Group will be prepared for:
An insurance company might recognize that the truck driver is liable and will want to close the claim as quickly as possible. They might put out a lowball offer. Your attorney will counter that by helping you calculate the true value of the claim. That should include all your medical expenses, lost wages, and the compensation you deserve for enduring the pain. All of those calculations will be backed up by supportive evidence so that the insurance company will appreciate what you are entitled to.
It is not uncommon for an insurance company to delay the processing of a claim.
Your attorney won’t let that happen. We can step in and compel the insurance company to respond.
An insurance company might try to claim that you have a pre-existing condition, which is the real cause of your pain and suffering. We can counter that argument by providing expert medical evidence linking your current symptoms directly to the truck accident.
If you maintain direct contact with the insurance company, they might try to deploy scare tactics to get you to accept a lowball offer or scare you off altogether. They might accuse you of fraud or tell you that their offer is the only offer you’re going to get.
When Dozier Law Group takes on a case, we assume responsibility for communicating with the insurance company. We know the truth of the situation and won’t be intimidated.
If the insurance company denies the claim outright, you might think that is the end of the process. As we inform our clients, a denial can be appealed. When there is an impasse, we can discuss filing a civil complaint. That will mean presenting the evidence to a jury and letting them decide the outcome.
It’s important to remember that we will only file a civil lawsuit if we’re confident we will prevail.
Truck accident settlements in Portland vary significantly based on the severity of injuries and the insurance policy limits of the trucking company. Because commercial policies often carry $1 million or more in coverage, these settlements are typically much higher than standard car accident claims. A lawyer can help calculate your specific damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Fault in a semi-truck accident can be shared by the truck driver, the trucking company, the vehicle manufacturer, or the team that loaded the cargo. Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. An attorney will investigate logbooks and maintenance records to determine exactly who is liable.
Yes. Crashes near high-traffic areas like the Hawthorne, Morrison, or Steel Bridge, or on I-5 and I-205, can be more complicated due to traffic patterns, bridge regulations, and high speeds. Evidence collection and expert analysis are often needed to accurately prove fault and damages.
Truck accidents are unlike ordinary car crashes. They involve complex state and federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and aggressive insurance companies determined to protect their bottom line. At Dozier Law Group, clients benefit from a hands-on, client-focused legal team that understands the high stakes after a serious truck accident.
As a Portland-based firm with deep roots in the community, the attorneys at Dozier Law Group take the time to explain your options clearly, protect your rights, and shoulder the burden of dealing with insurers. They know how to counter lowball offers, delay tactics, unfounded denials, and attempts to shift blame onto injured victims, all while preparing every case as if it may go to trial.
You do not have to face a trucking company or its insurers alone. Dozier Law Group is committed to providing honest guidance, strategic advocacy, and relentless representation from start to finish.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident, contact Dozier Law Group today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the compensation and accountability you deserve.
