Have you been injured in a commercial truck accident in Oregon? Are you dealing with debilitating injuries, expensive medical bills, and lost income from time missed at work? If someone else was to blame for the collision, they should have to pay for its consequences. Unfortunately, getting at-fault truckers and the deep-pocketed companies they work for to pay up is easier said than done. That’s why you need an experienced Oregon truck accident attorney to handle your case, fight back against attempts to undervalue your claim, and put you on the road to recovery.
At Rizk Law, we’re proud to stand up for ordinary people who’ve found themselves dealing with unexpected injuries that weren’t their fault. Now, let us do that for you. Contact us today for a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Oregon so we can plan your path forward together.
The Dangers of Truck Accidents
While any motor vehicle collision can have tragic consequences, truck accidents are especially devastating. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – that’s around 20 times what a midsize family SUV weighs. All that weight causes an incredible amount of force in a collision, which is transferred onto the smaller vehicle. The disadvantage of this size disparity is clear from the numbers. In one recent year, more than 80 percent of the people who died in large truck wrecks were occupants of other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Truck drivers accounted for just 17 percent of truck accident fatalities.
Exacerbating this danger is the fact that trucks are difficult to operate. They make wide turns, especially to the right. They are also more prone to overturning or jackknifing. At highway speeds, they take almost 70 percent more space to bring to a complete stop than a passenger vehicle. Commercial truck drivers must exercise considerable caution behind the wheel, as even a minor error on their part can lead to a devastating collision.
The Severity of Truck Accident Injuries in Oregon
Because of the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles, truck accidents are more likely to result in severe or even fatal injuries than collisions involving only passenger vehicles. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), there were over 10,000 truck wrecks in the state over a recent five-year period, resulting in almost 6,500 injury victims and about 300 fatalities. That’s an average of about 2,000 trucking accidents a year, resulting in nearly 1,300 people injured and about 60 killed.
By comparison, there were about 230,000 collisions involving all types of motor vehicles in Oregon over the five years, causing around 180,000 injuries and 2,700 fatalities. That means truck crashes are responsible for over 10 percent of all traffic fatalities in Oregon, and an Oregon truck accident is about three times more likely to result in fatal injuries than the average collision.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Below are some of the most common injuries associated with truck accidents:
- Soft tissue injuries – Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries are common in trucking accidents and are often caused by the sudden jolt of the body on impact. These injuries can result in chronic pain, limited mobility, and a prolonged recovery process. Some victims may experience lifelong discomfort or require ongoing physical therapy.
- Broken bones – The immense force of a truck wreck can lead to fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis. In severe cases, victims may suffer compound fractures that require surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Broken bones can hinder a victim’s ability to work and perform everyday tasks.
- Burn injuries – Burn injuries often occur when a vehicle catches fire or hazardous cargo spills during a crash. These injuries can range from superficial to third-degree burns that penetrate the skin into the underlying tissue. Victims may require painful treatments, such as skin grafts, and can suffer permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Severe cuts and lacerations – Deep cuts are common from shattered glass, jagged metal, or other debris unleashed during a crash. These wounds often require stitches or surgical repair and carry a high risk of infection. Scarring or nerve damage can result in long-term physical and emotional impacts.
- Facial and dental injuries – Facial injuries can result from the head hitting hard surfaces like the dashboard or steering wheel. Injuries like fractured orbital bones, deep cuts, and broken teeth may require reconstructive surgery and dental work to restore function and appearance. Scarring or disfigurement can also have a lasting emotional impact.
- Internal injuries – The blunt force of the collision or penetrating injuries from debris can cause organ damage and internal bleeding. These injuries can be life-threatening without immediate medical attention. Even with prompt care, victims may experience long-term health complications.
- Traumatic brain injuries – Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when the head is violently struck or penetrated, often from hitting the dashboard, windshield, or other hard surfaces during a collision. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, potentially causing memory loss, cognitive impairment, and long-term disability. Victims may face years of rehabilitation or even permanent loss of independence.
- Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries result from extreme force or twisting of the back during a crash, which can damage the vertebrae or nerves. These injuries can lead to partial paralysis (paraplegia) or complete paralysis (quadriplegia), profoundly altering a victim’s quality of life. Long-term care may involve mobility aids and home modifications.
- Amputations – The crushing force of a truck accident can lead to the loss of limbs, either during the collision or due to surgical amputation afterward. Losing a limb drastically alters a victim’s life, requiring prosthetics, physical therapy, and emotional adjustment. It can also greatly limit a person’s ability to work or be independent.
Damage to Mental Health After a Truck Accident
Not all of the injuries caused by semi-truck accidents are physical. The frightening experience of a truck accident and its aftermath can result in psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Victims may experience flashbacks, nightmares, or a persistent fear of driving or being near large vehicles. The emotional toll can disrupt daily life, strain relationships, and hinder a person’s ability to return to work. Therapy and counseling may be necessary to help victims process their trauma and rebuild their lives.
Compensation Available for Trucking Injuries
If the truck driver, trucking company, or another party is responsible for causing the truck accident, they could owe you compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments
- Lost wages, including both income missed during recovery and potential future earnings if the injuries result in a reduced capacity to work
- Pain and suffering, accounting for the discomfort of the injuries and the profound impact they can have on your quality of life
What Is Pain and Suffering?
You’ve probably heard the term “pain and suffering” with personal injury cases, but you might not know what it entails. The term refers to the physical and emotional discomfort caused by injuries, which can account for a large portion of a settlement or award. Pain and suffering compensation can account for:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Reduced quality of life
- Embarrassment caused by scarring and disfigurement
Because this type of loss is so subjective, it can be difficult to calculate on your own. A skilled truck accident lawyer can determine a fair value for your pain and suffering and ensure any compensation you pursue covers it.
How Can a Portland Truck Accident Attorney Help?
Truck accident claims are complicated – often far more so than cases involving only passenger vehicles. Large corporations may be involved, as can complex state and federal regulations. An experienced Portland truck accident lawyer is far better prepared to seek maximum compensation than you likely are yourself. So, while you rest and recover, your attorney from Rizk Law can:
- Investigate the accident to determine what happened
- Identify all potentially liable parties to be included in your case
- Itemize the financial and personal losses you’ve endured and calculate their fair value
- Send demand letters to the liable parties outlining the amount you’re seeking
- Negotiate with liable parties for an out-of-court settlement
- File paperwork and prepare for trial if the liable parties won’t make you a fair offer
- Litigate your case in court, fighting for every cent you’re owed
And because we work on contingency, you won’t have to pay for our help up front. Instead, you’ll only pay a fee if and when we win your case. That way, you’re not taking on any financial risk by asserting your rights.
Call Today for a Free Consultation
Were you hurt in a truck accident in Oregon? Rizk Law wants to hear from you. Our experienced legal team has secured millions of dollars for our clients, including $900,000 for someone injured in a commercial delivery truck accident.
Don’t just look at the numbers, though. Here’s what one satisfied client had to say about their experience with us: “Phenomenal assistance with the most caring and awesome lawyers you can find. They will fully invest in you and you’re case and go above and beyond.” We pride ourselves in providing personalized and dedicated advocacy, consistent communication, and the empathy and compassion each case deserves.
When you’re ready to stand up and demand the compensation you deserve, you know who to call. Contact Rizk Law today for a free consultation with an Oregon truck accident attorney, and let us put you on the road to recovery.