40+ Years Experienced, Truck Accident Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

Leading Personal Injury Attorney for Truck Accidents (Vancouver WA + Portland OR)

Collision between a truck and a car is one of the most common accidents on the roads and highway in United States (and in fact, elsewhere). A passenger car that colloids with a commercial truck leaves little hope for avoiding injuries since most average passengers cars weigh about 2 tons and a truck can weigh about 40 tones. It is obvious which of the two would sustain the most amount of damage, including but not limited to serious head, neck, back, arm, and leg injuries, cuts and abrasions, the onset of a coma, broken bones, limb amputations, fractures, lacerations, and other more serious injuries.

There is often very little hope for avoiding serious injuries where there is an accident between a passenger car and a truck. There high probability of likelihood that there will be a serious physical injury, emotional trauma, and drastic financial consequences for medical expenses and time lost from wage earning work.

Truck accidents can sometimes be a nightmare. A semi- or other commercial trucks and 18-wheelers (big rigs) with their gross weight of about 40 tons can cause devastation if involved in an accident with a passenger car or even worse, a motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrians. This type of accident is often so serious that many federal and state agencies that enforce regulations, often handle truck collisions differently. The situation can get quite complex and victims of trucking accidents can often benefit from the services of a personal injury attorney to help them through the maze.

Driving a truck through narrow streets of our capitals is not easy, to be fair to a truck driver. A large truck has to swing wide, often occupying two lanes when they make a turn. There is often very little space available and sometimes not enough time left in-between the change in the traffic lights. A truck driver has to cover so many different potential hazards such as unsuspecting pedestrians walking on cross walks or side-walks, or blind spots that put a motorcyclist or a bicyclist hidden from the view of the truck driver.

Sometimes all this is exasperated by a truck driver who may be tired, or behind on their scheduled delivery, or impatient to get away from city traffic and get onto a highway, or they may be distracted from paying attention fully to the hazards on the road. In yet other scenarios there could other reasons for negligence on the part of the truck driver, such as driving under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs. These can make a truck driver speed while ignoring road signs and safety procedures, making unsafe lane changes that is a hazard to other vehicles on the road or highway, using cell phone and being distracted, and one of the most common causes is being fatigued and over-worked and under-rested. It is well known that some truck drivers cheat on their driving logs in order to meet delivery schedules and deadlines in order to make a living and pay for their rig.

But beyond consequences surrounding the truck driver, there is always the issue of malfunctioning mechanical parts which contribute to an accident caused by a truck in a collision. There could be brake failure, defective mechanical parts, missed scheduled maintenance, a tire blow out, or even design flaw in a part or the truck itself. All of these should be considered by an experienced personal injury attorney in evaluating a truck accident case.

When a truck colloids with a car or a motorcycle, the injuries of car passengers or a motorcyclist is almost always a lot more drastic, as compared to the truck driver. Because of the sheer size of a semi- or a large commercial truck, as compared to a small passenger car or a motorcycle, a truck driver is rarely seriously injured. Drivers and passengers in a car or a motorcyclist experience a range of injuries from broken bones, head injuries or traumatic brain injuries, spine and back injuries, cuts and bruises, concussions, fractures, and even fatal injuries. With severe injuries, almost always, come severe emotional disturbance and psychological trauma.

Victims of truck accidents may be able to receive compensation from the negligence of a truck driver or his/her trucking company if fault has been determined to rest with them. Compensation will often cover medical expenses, current and future wage losses, and may even cover emotional and psychological distress.

I am wondering if I should handle my injury claim myself. Why do I need a lawyer?

Truck accidents cases are often very complex. Add to that, the insurance companies who just are waiting to take advantage of anyone that doesn't have the support and the know-how of dealing with them on something so technical in nature. There are also additional state and federal trucking mandates to be aware of. Judging from experience, we believe it is never a good idea to file an injury claim for comepnsation against a trucking company on your own. For instance, in a semi-truck accident, you will need to review all the details to ascertain whethere or not to make a claim against the truck driver, or the owner of the truck, the owner of the tractor, or the company that entered into a trip lease with the owner of the truck or trailer for the transport of goods? All the circumstances must be analyzed in detail and there needs to be an adequate investigation of the accident and demand and acquire driver’s logs, and truck's black box (if any). At a minimum, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who will discuss the merits of your case with you. This is free and there is no obligation. What have you got to lose? There are many different aspects of a trucking accident that needs to be investigated, from driver and his/her driving record, to trucking company, truck repair and maintenance, as well as the truck trailer itself, in order to establish responsibility and negligence. There are too many issues to pursing a trucking accident claim without the assistance of a qualified and experienced lawyer.

 

We work hard to protect your rights and get you the maximum compensation you deserve.

If you were injured in a trucking accident, you can call me at (360) 695-0464 for a no-obligation consultation. Let us help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.