Commercial trucks traveling at excessive speeds can have devastating consequences. Large trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds require significantly more time and distance to come to a complete stop than passenger vehicles. When truck drivers exceed posted limits, they drastically reduce their ability to avoid collisions.
If you suffered injuries in a speeding truck accident, our team at Rizk Law understands the toll these crashes take on injury victims and their families. Don’t navigate complex trucking regulations and negotiations with corporate insurers and their teams of lawyers alone. Contact us for a free consultation with a reputable Portland truck accident lawyer to discuss your legal options and explore how we can pursue maximum recovery.
The Dangers of Speeding Trucks in Portland
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers going too fast for conditions contributed to 23 percent of large truck crashes – the second most common contributing factor. Speeding semi-trucks pose unique hazards due to their size, weight, and limited maneuverability. When commercial truck drivers operate their vehicles above safe speeds, they compromise the safety of everyone on the road. Dangers include the following:
- Extended stopping distances that make avoiding collisions nearly impossible
- Increased severity of impact forces in crashes
- Higher risk of jackknifing and rollovers
- Reduced time to react to traffic conditions or road hazards
- Greater likelihood of losing control on curves or during lane changes
- More danger of tire blowouts and mechanical failures
Understanding how speeding causes truck accidents requires recognizing that commercial vehicles operate under different physical constraints than cars. The momentum generated by a speeding truck creates catastrophic energy transfer on impact, resulting in more severe injuries and property damage than typical passenger vehicle collisions.
Common Causes of Speed-Related Truck Accidents in Portland
Multiple factors contribute to speeding and truck crashes throughout Portland. Identifying these causes proves essential when building a strong legal case for victims seeking compensation:
- Pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines and schedules
- Distracted driving while trying to maintain speed
- Inadequate training on safe speed management
- Failure to adjust speed for weather conditions like rain or fog
- Disregard for posted speed limits in construction zones
- Driver fatigue or impaired driving leading to poor judgment
- Compensation structures that incentivize rapid delivery
- Inadequate enforcement of company safety policies
Oregon law establishes basic speed rules, requiring drivers to operate on highways at speeds that are reasonable and prudent for the conditions. Portland speeding accident lawyers may reference this statute when demonstrating that truck drivers committed speeding violations by traveling too fast for the road or weather conditions, even if they technically remained below the posted limits.
Types of Injuries in Speeding Truck Accidents
Victims of truck crashes caused by speeding often sustain life-altering injuries due to the enormous forces involved in these collisions. The severity of injuries typically correlates directly with the speed at which the commercial vehicle was traveling at the time of impact. Common injury types include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis
- Multiple bone fractures and crush injuries
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe burns from post-collision fires
- Amputations of limbs
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
These catastrophic injuries frequently require extensive medical care and rehabilitation that can span years or even a lifetime. A Portland speeding accident attorney can help you document the full extent of your injuries and project future medical needs to ensure your claim accounts for all losses you’ll face throughout your recovery and beyond.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Portland Speeding Truck Accident?
Determining liability in speeding truck accidents often involves identifying multiple responsible parties, as commercial trucking operations typically include various entities that share responsibility for safe operations. Oregon law allows crash victims to pursue compensation from all parties whose negligence contributed to their injuries, which may include:
- Truck drivers – The at-fault driver who exceeds safe speeds or breaks traffic laws is liable. When speeding despite proper training and legal duties, they are directly accountable for any resulting accidents.
- Trucking companies – Vicarious liability rules hold employers responsible for their drivers’ actions and for creating policies that pressure drivers to speed. Companies that fail to properly screen, train, or supervise their drivers also face direct liability for negligent hiring and retention.
- Cargo loading companies – Incorrectly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift while the truck is in motion, reducing the driver’s control, especially at high speeds. Companies responsible for loading the vehicle can be liable when such errors lead to unsafe driving conditions or accidents.
- Truck maintenance providers – Companies that maintain commercial vehicles may be responsible if mechanical failures contribute to a speeding-related crash. Inadequate maintenance directly impacts a truck’s ability to operate safely at any speed.
- Truck and parts manufacturers – Faulty truck parts can also lead to speeding collisions, such as defective odometers or brake failures. The manufacturer can be responsible for resulting truck accidents in these cases.
At Rizk Law, we thoroughly investigate every potential source of liability to maximize your recovery options and work to hold all responsible parties accountable.
Compensation Available After a Speeding Truck Accident in Portland
Victims of Portland speeding truck accidents may pursue compensation to address their economic and non-economic losses. Oregon law acknowledges that these crashes affect every aspect of a victim’s life. Damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Long-term care and support services
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Wrongful death benefits for families
Our personal injury lawyers meticulously calculate the full value of your claim, accounting for both current losses and future impacts that may not become apparent until months or years after your accident.
How a Portland Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
At Rizk Law, we have successfully represented countless victims of speeding semi-truck accidents throughout Portland and the surrounding areas. Our track record speaks to our commitment and capability – we’ve secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients, including $900,000 for an injury victim in a commercial delivery truck collision caused by distracted and careless driving.
Our clients consistently express appreciation for our dedication to their cases and our compassionate approach during difficult times. Valued client, Dennis Mosley, attests to our commitment:
“Richard and his team do exactly as they say. They walked me through the process and made me feel like family. Everything the defense team threw at us, I was prepared because of Rizk Law. Highly recommend Rizk Law.”
Don’t face the aftermath of a truck crash caused by speeding alone. Contact our team for your free consultation with a trusted Portland truck accident lawyer at Rizk Law today to discuss the details of your case and learn how we can pursue maximum compensation.
