Truck accidents cause some of the most devastating harm seen on Portland’s roadways. Weighing up to 80,000 pounds, tractor-trailers can cause catastrophic damage, severe injuries, and tragic fatalities when they collide with passenger vehicles. The sheer size and weight disparity between trucks and cars creates extremely hazardous conditions for drivers and passengers.
Victims are often left with overwhelming medical bills, substantial wage losses, and significant pain. Additionally, large truck crashes can involve multiple potentially liable entities, complex federal regulations, Oregon trucking laws, and aggressive legal teams that defend trucking corporations.
Portland is a major transportation hub in the Pacific Northwest. Commercial truck traffic crisscrosses its highways and city streets on a daily basis. I-5, I-84, and I-205 all converge in the city, which forces Portland residents to share the road with semis, tankers, and other commercial vehicles. Sadly, dozens of people are killed and hundreds more are injured every year in large truck accidents statewide.
Given the dangers and potential complications, it helps to know some of the common Portland truck accident causes – as well as the implications these causes can have on a personal injury case.
Driver Fatigue, Distracted Driving, and Other Truck Driver Negligence
Considering the risks of driving these large commercial vehicles, truck drivers must take great care to avoid collisions. However, there are many ways they could be negligent and cause severe harm.
Drowsiness
Fatigue is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. Commercial truck operators face unique pressures and challenges that increase the danger of driving while too tired to do so safely.
Fatigue compromises a driver’s reaction time, road awareness, and decision-making abilities – similar to alcohol impairment. Studies have found that going 18 hours without sleep is like having 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration – more than the 0.04 percent that is the legal limit for commercial vehicle drivers.
Truck drivers often work long hours under tight deadlines. Despite federal regulations that limit driving time, some operators continue behind the wheel while dangerously tired – often resulting in devastating collisions and injuries.
Distractions
Even well-rested and sober drivers can engage in another form of hazardous behavior: driving while distracted. Using phones, adjusting GPS devices, eating, or attending to other tasks while driving can have deadly consequences. A momentary lapse in attention can allow fully loaded trucks to travel hundreds of feet while uncontrolled.
Other Driver Errors and Negligence
Truck drivers often speed, maneuver aggressively, change lanes improperly, and ignore their blind spots. To operate a commercial vehicle, drivers need specialized knowledge and skills.
Trucking companies can also bear significant responsibility for their drivers’ actions if they fail to conduct background checks, provide proper driver training, and enforce regulations. Plus, employers can be held responsible for their employees’ actions performed as part of the job. If an accident happens because the company encouraged or ignored violations, such as when they pressure drivers to exceed driving hour limits to meet deadlines, the company can face strict legal penalties.
Poor Maintenance and Mechanical Failures
Commercial trucks require regular, thorough maintenance for safe operation. Common mechanical causes of truck accidents include:
- Brake failures
- Tire blowouts
- Steering malfunctions
- Transmission failures
- Lighting defects
- Unsecured trailer hitches
These system failures can make it impossible for drivers to remain in control while at highway speeds or in heavy traffic.
In particular, commercial truck braking systems require careful maintenance and regular inspection to function properly. A fully loaded tractor-trailer already needs approximately two football fields of stopping distance. Without working brakes, a truck driver cannot stop their vehicle in time to avoid a collision.
Federal regulations require trucking companies to perform regular inspections and maintain comprehensive maintenance records. Drivers must also perform pre-trip inspections. Companies that cut corners on maintenance to reduce costs or keep trucks rolling may face liability for mechanical failure accidents.
Bad Weather Conditions
Even with pristine vehicles and well-trained operators, Portland’s climate can present unique challenges for commercial truck drivers throughout the year:
- Rain – The city’s notorious rain can create slick roadways that extend stopping distances and increase the risk of hydroplaning. Portland experiences approximately 160 rainy days annually, with variable weather patterns, rapidly changing road conditions, and treacherous driving areas.
- Fog – Fog frequently blankets Portland areas, especially near rivers and during early morning hours. This should encourage drivers to reduce their speed and increase their following distance. Unfortunately, some drivers fail to take these precautions.
- Ice and snow – Winter conditions can introduce ice and occasional snow that may compromise a driver’s control over a commercial vehicle.
The Columbia River Gorge area, in particular, may have high winds and ice that can endanger eastbound trucks from Portland.
Though poor weather itself doesn’t constitute negligence, a truck driver’s failure to adjust driving behavior for the conditions can. Professional drivers must meet higher standards and exercise appropriate caution during hazardous weather conditions.
Cargo-Related Accidents
Sometimes, the danger comes from within. If the loading company improperly secures or unevenly distributes the load in the back of a trailer, it can cause multiple hazards during transit:
- A shifting load can destabilize trucks and cause rollovers.
- Cargo can fall from vehicles, creating road hazards for other motorists.
- Poor weight distribution affects braking and handling.
- Overloaded trucks that exceed legal weight limits are harder to control and put additional stress on roadways.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established detailed cargo securement regulations. These rules specify appropriate methods for securing various freight types, required tie-down strength ratings, and weight distribution procedures. A violation can constitute negligence on the loading company’s part.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Portland
What you do in the aftermath of a commercial truck accident is important. These steps can help protect your health and your rights:
- At the scene – Take photos of the accident scene and contact authorities. Request a copy of any official police reports to corroborate your side of the story. Get the names of anyone else involved in the crash and anyone who saw it take place.
- Medical care – Not all serious conditions present symptoms immediately, so don’t put off seeking medical treatment. Timely medical attention also creates documentation of injuries and treatment progression, which will help as you pursue legal action. Follow through with all necessary specialist appointments, physical therapy, and rehabilitation programs to establish a clear connection between your collision and ongoing medical issues.
- Evidence documentation – Create a dedicated file that contains all your accident-related paperwork, including insurance correspondence, medical bills, repair estimates, and missed work days. Document all your appointments, treatments, prescriptions, and medical expenses. Maintain a pain journal to track daily pain levels, limitations, and quality of life.
- Social media – Be aware that trucking companies and their insurers commonly monitor social media for anything they can use against accident victims. They might comb through your accounts, looking for things that contradict what you’ve said about the accident elsewhere. You should avoid discussing your crash on any social media platforms.
Along with these critical steps, you should contact a Portland truck accident lawyer. They can help you through the process of seeking fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
How Is Fault Determined for a Portland Truck Wreck?
If you plan to file a Portland truck accident claim, you need to establish that the truck driver, trucking company, or other entity caused the collision. That will require examining information such as:
- The vehicle’s electronic logging device (ELD) data
- The truck driver’s logbooks
- The vehicle’s maintenance history and damage patterns
- Photos and videos of the crash scene
- Eyewitness accounts of what took place
An experienced Portland truck accident attorney can investigate the incident and build a thorough case on your behalf.
Portland truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties, including truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo loading crews, vehicle or parts manufacturers, maintenance contractors, and other motorists sharing the road. Maximizing available insurance coverage means identifying everyone who may have played a role in what happened. A skilled Portland truck accident attorney will understand the relationships between the different parties in the trucking industry and know where to look for evidence of negligence or regulatory violations.
Contact a Portland Truck Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
Have you been injured in a semi-truck accident in Portland? Trust Rizk Law’s experienced truck accident attorneys to bring their considerable resources, unyielding determination, and investigative skills to your case.
We have successfully handled numerous truck accident cases and secured meaningful results, including $900,000 for a client T-boned by a commercial delivery truck driver who was cited for distracted driving and careless driving. Our glowing client testimonials speak for themselves, such as this one:
“Richard, and his team do as exactly as they say. They walked me through the process, and made me feel like family. Everything the defense team through at us, I was prepared because of Rizk Law. Highly recommend Rizk Law.” – Dennis Mosley
Truck wrecks often create life-altering consequences for their victims. Don’t face them alone. Instead, call or contact us online for a free consultation to discuss your options with a Portland truck accident attorney.