Hillsboro Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents in Hillsboro can have devastating consequences for the victims. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks can contribute to catastrophic injuries and fatalities. If you have been injured in a truck accident in Oregon, it’s essential to have an experienced truck accident attorney on your side. At Pro Accident Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys specialize in representing truck accident victims, and we are here to protect your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.

How Common Are Semi-Truck Accidents?

Due to the large number of commercial trucks on roads and various other contributing factors, truck accidents are a frequent occurrence in Hillsboro. According to National Safety Council data, as many as 117,000 large commercial trucks were involved in crashes leading to injuries in 2021, representing an increase of 12% over the previous year. 

Semi-truck drivers often work long hours and cover substantial distances in a single shift. This can lead to driver fatigue or drowsiness, a significant factor in semi-truck accidents. Despite regulations aimed at ensuring safety, enforcing compliance across the trucking industry can be challenging. The volume of trucks on the road increases the likelihood of truck accident injuries.

Causes of Truck Accidents in Hillsboro

Common causes of truck accidents in Hillsboro, Oregon, include:

• Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to truck driver fatigue, impairing judgment and reaction times.
• Speeding: Trucks traveling at high speeds are more difficult to control and stop, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Distracted Driving: Distractions like phone use, eating, or adjusting the radio divert a driver’s attention from the road.
• Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drug use by truck drivers can impair their ability to drive safely.
• Inadequate Training: Insufficient training in handling large commercial vehicles can lead to accidents.
• Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Trucks: Overloading or uneven cargo distribution can affect a truck’s stability and handling.
• Mechanical Failures: Poorly maintained trucks can experience brake, tire, or other mechanical failures.
• Weather Conditions: Hillsboro weather, including rain and fog, can create hazardous road conditions contributing to accidents.
• Blind Spots: Trucks have substantial blind spots, and accidents can occur when smaller vehicles are in these areas.
• Inadequate Following Distance: Failure to maintain a safe following distance can result in rear-end collisions.
• Aggressive Driving: Aggressive behaviors like tailgating or weaving in traffic can lead to accidents.
• Inexperienced or Inattentive Drivers: Inexperienced truck drivers or those not paying attention to road conditions can pose dangers.
• Brake Failure: Malfunctioning or poorly maintained brakes can lead to accidents, especially on steep hills.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Disobeying traffic signals and signs can result in intersection accidents.

Truck accidents can have severe consequences, and determining liability may require a thorough investigation. You should consult with an experienced Hillsboro truck accident lawyer at Pro Accident Lawyers to protect your rights and obtain compensation for your injury and losses.

Common Injuries from Truck Accident Cases

The severity of injuries can vary widely depending on the circumstances of the accident. Victims of truck accidents often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Here’s a list of common injuries from truck accidents:

• Whiplash
• Crush Injuries
• Severe Burns (Third-Degree Burns)
• Amputations
• Organ Damage
• Paralysis (Partial or Complete)
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal Cord Damage
• Multiple Fractures
• Complex Orthopedic Injuries

You should get legal representation to ensure that the responsible party is held accountable, and victims receive the compensation needed to cover medical expenses, lost income, and the physical and emotional toll of their injuries.

What to Do If You Sustain Truck Accident Injuries

If you sustain injuries in a truck accident, remember to take immediate action. Your first priority should be to obtain prompt medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries. Many issues may not manifest immediately. 

Report the accident to the police and ensure an accident report is filed. Gather information, such as the truck driver’s details and witness statements, and preserve evidence from the scene.

Notify your insurance company about the accident, but be cautious about giving recorded statements or accepting settlements without legal advice. Keep detailed records of your injuries and treatment, including medical bills and photographs.

Consult with an experienced Hillsboro truck accident attorney as soon as possible. They can protect your rights, assess your case’s strength, and guide you through the legal process. Avoid discussing the accident on social media or with the at-fault party’s insurance company without legal counsel.

Follow medical advice and attend all recommended treatments and follow-up appointments to aid your recovery and document your injuries. Consider the long-term impact of your injuries and potential future expenses.

Carefully review any settlement offers from insurance companies with your attorney to ensure they adequately cover your losses. Know your legal rights and the compensation you may be entitled to for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.

If negotiations fail, be prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations. By taking these steps and acquiring strong legal representation, you can protect your rights and improve your chances of receiving fair compensation for your losses.

Potential Defendants in an Oregon Truck Accident

In an Oregon truck accident case, several potential defendants may be liable for the /accident and resulting injuries. These can include:

• Truck Driver: The truck driver or an independent contractor may be responsible for the accident if their actions, such as speeding, reckless driving, or distracted driving, contributed to the crash. 
• Trucking Company: The trucking company that employs the driver may also be liable. If the driver was operating within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident, the company can be held accountable for its hiring practices, maintenance of the truck, and adherence to safety regulations.
• Truck Manufacturer: If a mechanical failure, such as brake or tire failure, contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the truck or its components may be held liable for producing defective parts.
• Maintenance Companies: Companies responsible for semi truck maintenance, repairs, and inspections can be defendants if inadequate maintenance or negligent repairs played a role in the accident.
• Cargo Loaders: Those responsible for loading and securing the cargo on the truck may be held liable if improper loading or unsecured cargo caused the accident.
• Government Entities: In some cases, government entities may be liable if poorly maintained roads or inadequate signage contribute to truck crashes.
• Other Motorists: If other motorists on the road were negligent and their actions led to the truck accident, they may also be defendants in the case.

Determining liability in a serious commercial truck accident can be complicated, as multiple parties may share responsibility. An experienced personal injury attorney at Pro Accident Lawyers can assess the circumstances of the accident, identify potential defendants, and pursue compensation from those responsible for your injuries and damages.

Time Limit on Truck Accident Claims in Hillsboro, OR

In Oregon, the statute of limitations for filing a truck crash claim is typically two years from the date of the accident. You need to initiate legal action against the responsible parties within this time frame.

It is prudent to be aware of and adhere to this statute of limitations, as failing to file a lawsuit within the specified time frame can result in the loss of your legal right to acquire compensation for your injuries and damages.

Importance of Black Box Data as Evidence

Black box data, also known as an Electronic Control Module (ECM) or Event Data Recorder (EDR), plays a vital role as evidence in a commercial truck accident. This is why it’s important:

• Objective Documentation: Black box data provides an objective and accurate account of the events leading up to and during the accident. It can reveal critical details such as vehicle speed, braking, steering, and even the deployment of airbags.
• Establishing Liability: This data helps establish liability by showing whether the truck driver was obeying traffic laws, maintaining a safe speed, or braking appropriately. It can also determine if other factors like sudden acceleration or deceleration were involved.
• Reconstructing the Accident: Accident reconstruction experts use black box data to recreate the accident scene, helping determine the sequence of events and who was at fault. This reconstruction can be invaluable in legal proceedings.
• Verifying Driver Statements: Sometimes, drivers may provide inaccurate statements about the accident. Black box data can verify or contradict these statements, ensuring the truth comes to light.
• Identifying Negligence: It can reveal instances of driver negligence, such as distracted driving, fatigued driving, or aggressive driving behaviors.
• Evidence of Mechanical Failures: Black box data may show if mechanical failures, like brake malfunctions or engine issues, played a role in the accident, which can be helpful when identifying responsible parties.
• Supporting Witness Testimony: If there were witnesses to the accident, their statements can be supported or challenged by EDR data, adding credibility to their accounts.
• Insurance Claims: Accurate data from the truck’s black box can expedite the insurance claims process, as it provides clear evidence of liability and can help facilitate faster settlements.
• Courtroom Evidence: In legal proceedings, black box data is admissible as evidence in court, making it a valuable tool for personal injury attorneys when representing accident victims.

Why Hire Our Hillsboro Truck Accident Lawyers?

Specialized Knowledge

Our team possesses in-depth knowledge of trucking regulations and the complexities of truck accident lawsuits. We understand the unique factors that contribute to these accidents and can deal with the various legal challenges with confidence.

EDR Data

Our experienced Hillsboro personal injury lawyers can get access to the black box data before it can be tampered with or destroyed. They can promptly notify the trucking company and relevant parties to preserve the data, preventing potential spoliation of evidence. Additionally, the involvement of a truck accident attorney from Pro Accident Lawyers will make sure that the data is leveraged as a vital asset in determining liability and pursuing just compensation on your behalf.

Extensive Resources

Truck accident cases often require substantial resources, including accident reconstruction experts and medical specialists. We have the resources needed to build a robust case on your behalf.

Proven Track Record

Our attorneys have a proven track record of successfully handling truck accident cases in Oregon. We have helped clients recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Get Legal Representation from a Proven and Capable Hillsboro Truck Accident Lawyer

The seasoned Hillsboro truck accident team at Pro Accident Lawyers has the experience, resources, and knowledge to pursue your claim and obtain favorable results. We understand the unique challenges involved in truck accident claims and are dedicated to fighting for your legal rights. Schedule your free case review with our lawyers today. Call us at 503-858-9048 or contact us online.