Dump trucks weigh tens of thousands of pounds and typically carry unstable loads. When they’re involved in a collision, the results can be devastating. If you were injured by a dump truck in Portland, you need a path to justice. Rizk Law is here to help you walk it.
Our Oregon dump truck crash lawyers have decades of experience fighting for victims of commercial vehicle collisions. We know the unique risks a dump truck poses on the road and how the companies that operate them will fight a personal injury lawsuit. More importantly, we know how to hold them accountable. When you partner with Rizk Law, you partner with a firm that understands that you matter.
Don’t wait to get the help you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation and choose a law firm that views your claim as seriously as you do.
Types of Dump Trucks Commonly Involved in Portland Accidents
There are several kinds of dump trucks, each with different risks. The most common are:
- Standard dump trucks – These trucks are the most common type used for removing and transporting loose materials. Because of their short wheelbases and high centers of gravity, they are easy to roll over, especially on uneven terrain.
- Transfer dump trucks – These are commonly used in heavy-duty applications, often pulling separate trailers. They are longer than standard dump truck models and struggle with braking in heavy traffic and dealing with blind spots.
- Semi-trailer end dump trucks – These trucks are designed for hauling large loads on highways. They have raised beds that can obstruct rear visibility and tend to become unstable when unloading.
- Side dump trucks – These are unique trucks that unload from the side, increasing the risk of tipping while making sharp or fast turns.
- Super dump trucks – These massive dump trucks have additional axles to help them carry the heaviest loads and can do tremendous amounts of damage in the event of a collision.
Crashes involving these heavy, cumbersome vehicles generally cause more serious injuries and catastrophic property damage.
How Dump Truck Features Contribute to Accidents
Dump trucks have special features designed to help them carry and dispose of heavy loads. However, their design elements also make them more prone to causing harm in an accident. For instance:
- A loaded dump truck takes much longer to stop, especially in wet or hilly conditions.
- A dump truck’s high center of gravity makes it unstable when turning or stopping suddenly.
- Blind spots on dump trucks are significantly larger than in passenger vehicles.
- Unsecured loads can shift around, causing the driver to lose control or debris to fall out and endanger nearby drivers.
Manufacturing defects and improper vehicle maintenance have also been known to lead to brake failures, tire blowouts, and hydraulic malfunctions, which can create dangerous situations on the road.
Determining Liability in a Portland Dump Truck Crash
A crash involving commercial vehicles can have multiple responsible parties. This makes it challenging to determine who is liable in a dump truck accident. Liable parties might include:
- Truck drivers can be liable if they make a mistake while operating their vehicle, such as speeding, driving while distracted, or making unsafe turns.
- The trucking company may be responsible for its employees’ negligence or for failing to maintain the vehicle, pushing drivers to work unsafe schedules, or not using safe hiring processes.
- A third-party contractor might be to blame for crashes that happen in poorly managed construction zones or commercial job sites.
- The manufacturer may be liable if a defective part or system caused or worsened the crash.
- Government entities may be liable for poor road maintenance or faulty signage.
The party liable for a dump truck crash is also responsible for paying for its consequences, including your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses. Your legal team may use evidence like driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, and witness statements to establish this liability.
Filing a Dump Truck Accident Claim in Oregon
Here’s what you can expect as you file a dump truck accident claim in Oregon:
- Meeting with your lawyer – Your case starts with a free consultation with a Portland dump truck accident lawyer who will review what happened and advise you on your options.
- Investigating the accident – Next, your lawyer gathers and reviews evidence to determine what happened and who’s to blame, potentially working with experts to aid in this process.
- Calculating fair compensation – Your attorney looks at your medical bills, lost income, repair estimates, and personal losses to determine how much compensation the liable parties owe you.
- Negotiating for a settlement – Your legal team meets with the liable parties and their insurers to negotiate for a settlement that compensates you fairly without the need for a trial.
- Going to court – If negotiations fail or insurance companies stall in the process, your attorney will be prepared to take your truck accident case to trial and demand the full compensation you deserve.
Oregon law typically only gives you two years from the date of the crash to file your Portland dump truck accident lawsuit. If your case is against a government entity, you have even less time to file the required notice of claim – just 180 days. Don’t wait to get started. Any delay could affect your ability to recover fair compensation.
Why You Need a Dump Truck Accident Attorney in Portland
An accident with a dump truck is not like other crashes. The vehicles are larger, which causes more damage and worse injuries. They often leave victims in need of more substantial compensation to offset the harm they’ve suffered. And insurance companies don’t want to pay that amount. They tend to be especially aggressive with more money on the line, and they will try hard to get you to accept less than you deserve. An attorney can defend against these attempts to undervalue your claim and demand the full amount you’re entitled to.
You also need a dump truck accident attorney who knows the complicated laws and can fight aggressively while you heal. You’re likely dealing with extensive injuries. You need to focus on healing, not learning the law. With the help of a Portland personal injury lawyer, you can sit back while your attorney pursues the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Dump Truck Accident Lawyers in Portland
Rizk Law has a reputation for securing impressive results for truck accident victims across Oregon, including a $900,000 settlement after a victim was T-boned by a delivery truck. Although each case is unique and past results cannot guarantee future outcomes, our case results speak for themselves, and our clients know that we will use all of our resources to fight for them and will not rest until justice is served. Their testimonials call us “caring, experienced, straightforward and supportive people to work with.”
Call us today for your free, no-obligation consultation with our Portland dump truck accident attorneys.