Protecting Your Rights After a Commercial Truck Accident
The aftermath of a Commercial Truck Accident Injury can be overwhelming and daunting. With the potential for significant property damage, physical injury, and emotional distress, it is crucial to understand your rights and take the necessary steps to protect them. Knowing what to do can ensure you receive fair compensation for any damages incurred.
The Prevalence of Commercial Truck Accidents in Oregon
Oregon has seen its share of commercial truck accidents in recent years. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), there were 2,174 reported crashes involving heavy trucks in 2019 alone. These accidents resulted in 61 fatalities and 1,042 injuries, highlighting the severity of such incidents.
These sobering statistics underscore the importance of understanding your rights after being involved in an accident with a commercial truck.
Determining Liability: Who is Responsible?
One of the first steps you should take after experiencing a commercial truck accident is determining liability—identifying who was at fault for causing it. This process may require extensive investigation and evidence-gathering since multiple parties might be responsible:
- The truck driver: If they were negligent or reckless behind the wheel (e.g., driving under the influence or violating hours-of-service regulations)
- The trucking company: If they failed to maintain their vehicles or hire qualified drivers properly
- Manufacturers: If defective parts contributed to causing the accident
- Government entities: If unsafe road conditions played a role in causing an accident
An experienced Personal Injury attorney can help navigate this complex process by conducting thorough investigations and gathering relevant evidence.
Seeking Compensation for Damages
After determining liability, obtaining just compensation for your losses becomes paramount. Compensation typically covers medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. In some cases, you may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of consortium.
To maximize your chance of receiving fair compensation, it is crucial to enlist the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. They can help gather evidence supporting your claim and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
After a commercial truck accident in Oregon, time is of the essence. Oregon imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle accidents. This means you have only two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against those responsible for causing it.
By acting quickly and retaining legal representation as soon as possible after an accident, you can preserve all relevant evidence and protect your legal rights throughout the process.
Navigating Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies often employ tactics designed to minimize their financial exposure following an accident involving one of their insured drivers. These tactics may include offering quick settlements before you understand the full extent of your damages or attempting to shift blame onto you – even if you were not at fault for causing the accident.
Having an experienced personal injury attorney by your side during negotiations with insurance companies can help protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for any damages incurred in a commercial truck accident.
Pacific Injury Law Firm: Protecting Your Rights After a Commercial Truck Accident
If you or a loved one has been involved in a commercial truck accident in Oregon, Pacific Injury Law Firm can provide knowledgeable guidance and zealous representation throughout every stage of the process. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling all types of motor vehicle accidents—including those involving Car Accident Injuries, Motorcycle Accident Injuries, Bicycle Accident Injuries, and Pedestrian Accident Injuries. We also have expertise in cases involving Wrongful Death and Oregon Drunk Driver Accident Injuries.
At Pacific Injury Law Firm, our commitment to you is unwavering. We will work tirelessly to investigate your accident, identify all responsible parties, build a compelling case on your behalf, and fight for the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how we can help protect your rights after a commercial truck accident in Oregon, please do not hesitate to contact us today.