At any given moment, there are hundreds of tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles hauling cargo from place to place on Oregon highways and interstates. While the vast majority of commercial vehicle trips go off without a hitch, when they are involved in accidents, victims can be seriously injured. In an effort to keep the public safe, both the federal and state governments impose significant regulations on the trucking industry, requiring safety measures like pre-trip inspections and a certain amount of reflective material or illumination on truck trailers.
Unfortunately, truck accidents continue to occur, sometimes with disastrous results. Some basic information regarding truck accidents and what truck accident victims should do is provided below. For more information, call our office today to speak to an attorney.
Commercial vehicles are substantially different from smaller passenger vehicles in a number of ways; they are larger, heavier, and are often made up of at least two segments that are joined by a moveable joint known as a “coupling device.” As a result, they are more likely to be involved in certain types of accidents, including the following:
Just as there are many different types of truck accidents, they can also occur for a wide variety of reasons. Perhaps most importantly for victims, when they occur because of negligence, the people who are injured in them are often legally entitled to recover compensation for their losses, including their medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, and lost income. Some of the more common causes of truck accidents include the following:
There are certain steps that victims should take in order to maximize their chances of recovering compensation. Three of the most important are detailed below:
Document information about your accident. Make note of things like the names of the other drivers involved, the company for whom the truck driver works, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, and any road hazards that you think may have contributed to your accident.
See your doctor, even if you think that you will get better without medical treatment. Doing so will result in the creation of a medical record that will describe the nature and extent of your injuries, which may be important in establishing damages.
Talk to an attorney as soon as you can. Oregon truck accident cases are subject to a strict statute of limitations, and waiting may result in the loss or destruction of evidence critical to the success of your case.
Because of the significant differences between commercial truck accidents and accidents involving solely non-commercial vehicles, it is important for victims to retain an attorney familiar with the intricacies of Oregon truck accident litigation. For example, commercial trucks are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), and a lawyer without an intimate understanding of these laws may not recognize when they have been violated. An experienced truck accident attorney will have the skill and knowledge to get you the compensation to which you are entitled.
We’ve all seen news stories about horrific truck accidents involving large semi-trucks, many of which were carrying cargo at the time of the crash. While dangerous, these are not the only types of trucks that can cause serious…
READ MORETruck accident cases can be substantially more complicated and can require significantly more resources than other types of motor vehicle accident or personal injury cases. You always want to make sure that any attorney you hire has successfully handled cases that specifically involve large commercial trucks and the trucking industry. Your attorney should have a thorough understanding of trucking industry standards, FMCSA regulations, and truck accident reconstruction methods. At USTA, we focus specifically on truck accident cases and you can rest assured that we have the experience needed to successfully handle your case.
GET STARTEDWith their legal teams and insurance companies, trucking companies are known for fighting against liability whenever possible. They will often try to strong-arm injured individuals into accepting inadequate settlements by intimidating them with the idea of trial and the resources involved in litigation. Unfortunately, too many attorneys recommend settling cases too early in the process to avoid any further litigation. You need an attorney on your side who is not intimidated by trucking companies and who has the resources and willingness to take your case as far as necessary to obtain the full settlement or award you deserve. The attorneys at USTA will not back down and will do what is needed to fully protect your rights as a truck accident victim.
GET STARTEDn order to best know if an attorney is the right one for you, you should meet with them in person or schedule a phone consultation. A positive attorney-client relationship is critical in a successful truck accident case so you should always ensure that you get a good feeling from an attorney before you decide to hire them. You want to stay apprised of new developments in your case and ensure your attorney is not too busy to address your questions or concerns as they arise. At USTA, we provide personalized and committed representation and invite anyone who believes they may have a truck accident claim to call and schedule a free consultation today.
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