Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Portland

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Portland, Oregon?

  The non-emergency contact number for the Portland police station is (503) 823-3333. Call 311 for instances that do not need Fire, Ambulance, Police, or Portland Street Response.

• Where can you get a copy of the police report for the accident in Portland, Oregon?

  To get a copy of a police report in Portland, you can file an online request through the Portland Public Records Center or http://www.portlandoregon.gov/prr. It is encouraged to use the online system. If in case you are unable to submit an online request or require assistance, you can contact the Police Bureau (PPB) at (503) 823-0756 or the automated information line at (503) 823-0041.

• What do attorneys in Portland recommend to people involved in a truck accident?

  First, get medical care immediately, even if there are no visible injuries. Additionally, you must follow through with the prescribed medical care, which may include physical therapy, surgery or other invasive procedures, counseling, or psychological care. Second, gather information about the truck driver, the trucking company, and the USDOT number. It's also helpful to get the contact information of the witnesses and the first responders. Finally, consult a truck accident attorney in Portland, as they will be helpful in negotiating with insurance companies or trucking businesses, determining whether the truck driver complied with the law, and getting you the right amount of compensation.

• What factors determine the amount of a truck accident claim in Portland?

  There are five main factors that affect a truck accident settlement in Portland:

  1. Liability, or who or what is the reason behind the truck accident.
  2. Property damage or the fair market value of the car that was hit by the truck.
  3. Total cost of medical expenses, including past and future medical bills.
  4. Lost wages or hours of actual work missed, as well as impaired earning capacity or the injuries sustained that prevent the person from returning to work.
  5. Pain and suffering, scars, and emotional damages.

• What are the common reasons why truck accidents occur in Portland?

  Truck accidents in Portland have a variety of causes. Truck driver negligence due to speeding, distracted driving, or drug or alcohol use is the leading factor in truck crashes. Trucking companies can be held accountable if they hire inexperienced drivers, fail to give proper training, or conduct background checks. If it is proven that truck manufacturers failed to recall or warn of defective trucks or parts, they may be held liable. In addition, cargo loaders or another third party that failed to load the truck properly can face legal consequences.

• Is there a period wherein Portland victims should file a truck accident lawsuit?

  The state of Oregon follows a statute of limitations when it comes to truck accidents. Victims of a truck accident in Portland have two years from the date the accident took place to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. If the truck accident leads to death, the victim's family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit three years from the date of the crash. If the lawsuit was filed after the deadline, the case could be thrown out, and the victim might not get the rightful compensation.

• Will you still be compensated if you were partially at fault for a Portland truck accident?

  When it comes to personal injury lawsuits, Oregon uses comparative negligence laws. Even if you were partially at fault for a truck accident in Portland, you are still eligible to recover partial damages. Section 31.600 of Oregon Law governs how a truck accident victim who was partially at fault can be compensated. The degree of responsibility a victim bears for the specific trucking accident affects the settlement amount. For instance, if the settlement amount is $200,000 and the victim was 10% at fault, the amount will be deducted by 10%, or $20,000, which brings the total amount to be recovered to $180,000. However, the victim may be barred from collecting any recovery if it is proven that he or she is more than half at fault for a trucking accident.