When a truck accident turns your world upside down, you need more than just a lawyer, and you need a legal team that understands the high stakes and stands firmly by your side. We’re proud to serve accident victims across Oregon with dedication, compassion, and a deep knowledge of trucking law. While we offer specialized support for Punjabi-speaking clients, our services are open to everyone, and our commitment to justice knows no language barrier.
Whether your crash happened on I-5, a rural highway, or a busy city route, having an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer matters. As a trusted Oregon truck accident law firm, we’re here to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Does an Oregon Punjabi Truck Accident Attorney Do?
Truck accident cases often involve more than just two drivers and a police report. Trucking companies, third-party maintenance crews, cargo loading teams, and commercial insurers are often involved in such accident cases. An experienced Punjabi truck accident attorney plays a crucial role in sorting through the facts and holding the right parties accountable.
Our legal team thoroughly investigates every detail of the crash, works with accident reconstruction experts if needed, and builds a strong case supported by evidence. We handle all communication with insurance companies and aggressively negotiate for fair settlements. If your case needs to go to court, we’re fully prepared to represent you at trial. Throughout the process, we provide guidance in plain language, and if you or your loved ones speak Punjabi, we’re happy to communicate in the language you’re most comfortable with.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Oregon
Oregon’s mix of mountainous terrain, forested highways, and agricultural shipping routes makes it a high-risk state for commercial truck accidents. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), heavy trucks are involved in hundreds of crashes each year, many resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Oregon include:
- Driver fatigue: Despite federal Hours of Service rules, long shifts and tight schedules continue to lead to drowsy driving incidents, especially along busy freight routes such as I-5 and I-84.
- Distracted driving: Mobile device use and in-cab distractions continue to contribute to preventable crashes statewide.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Large trucks traveling at high speeds on steep grades (such as those found on Highway 26 and Highway 97) have a much higher risk of rollovers or rear-end collisions.
- Improper cargo loading: Oregon’s agricultural and logging industries frequently involve heavy or uneven loads, which can destabilize a vehicle if not secured correctly.
- Mechanical failure or poor maintenance: Equipment issues, including brake failure and tire blowouts, are especially hazardous on Oregon’s winding roads and during winter storms. According to ODOT’s Truck Safety Inspections, enforcement teams routinely take unsafe trucks out of service.
- Weather conditions: Oregon’s varied climate means trucks regularly face rain, fog, snow, and icy roads, particularly through the Cascades and during winter months.
By investigating these causes, an experienced truck wreck attorney can uncover signs of negligence and help you pursue compensation from every responsible party.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
In the moments following a truck accident, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But the actions you take can greatly impact your safety, recovery, and your ability to file a strong legal claim. Here’s what you should do:
Ensure Safety
If you’re able to move, get yourself and others to a safe area away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and check for injuries.
Call Emergency Services
Dial 911 right away. A police report will be important for your case, and paramedics can assess injuries, even ones that might not be immediately obvious. Don’t decline medical care just because you feel okay at the moment.
Document the Scene
Take photos or videos of the vehicles, damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. This evidence can be helpful later if you need to prove what happened.
Exchange Information
Get the truck driver’s name, insurance details, and company information. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact details too. Avoid discussing fault or blaming anyone at the scene.
Call a Lawyer
Before speaking with any insurance company, it’s wise to consult with a truck accident lawyer. A knowledgeable commercial truck accident lawyer can protect your rights, deal with the insurers, and start building your case right away.
Damages Available After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents can lead to overwhelming physical, financial, and emotional losses. In Oregon, victims may recover a wide range of damages, depending on the severity of the crash and the impact it has on their lives.
Economic Damages
These cover direct financial losses and are typically well-documented through bills, receipts, and pay stubs:
- Medical expenses (emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, rehab)
- Lost wages due to time off work
- Reduced future earning potential
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury (e.g., transportation, medical equipment)
Non-Economic Damages
These address the emotional and personal toll of an accident:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Oregon does not place a cap on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases stemming from motor vehicle accidents. However, punitive damages, which are awarded to punish especially reckless behavior, are allowed only in specific situations. According to ORS § 31.730, 70% of any punitive damages awarded in Oregon must be paid to the state’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Account, not just to the plaintiff.
Punitive Damages
These are rare but may apply in cases involving gross negligence, such as knowingly violating trucking safety regulations or falsifying driver logs. An experienced attorney can help determine whether punitive damages are appropriate in your case.
You can learn more about Oregon’s approach to injury claims by visiting the Oregon Judicial Department’s Civil Court resources or reviewing ODOT’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Program, which monitors trucking regulations across the state.
If you’ve experienced any of these losses, a skilled truck wreck attorney can evaluate your situation and help you pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to under Oregon law.
Who Pays for Damages in an Oregon Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, figuring out who is financially responsible isn’t always simple. Multiple parties may be involved, and Oregon’s legal system considers a variety of factors when determining liability.
Potentially Liable Parties
- The Truck Driver: If the driver was speeding, distracted, fatigued, or under the influence, they may be held directly responsible.
- The Trucking Company: Employers can be liable for negligent hiring, poor training, or pushing drivers to violate safety regulations. Under vicarious liability, companies can also be responsible for their drivers’ actions while on the job.
- A Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer: If the accident resulted from brake failure, tire defects, or mechanical malfunction, the manufacturer of the faulty component may be at fault.
- Cargo Loading Companies: Improperly loaded or unbalanced cargo can cause rollovers or jackknifes. These companies may be liable if their actions contributed to the crash.
- Other Motorists: In multi-vehicle collisions, other drivers’ actions might share in the blame.
- Government Entities: Poor road maintenance, missing signage, or defective traffic signals could make a local or state agency partially liable.
Oregon’s Liability Rule: Modified Comparative Negligence
Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule, outlined in ORS § 31.600. This means you can still recover damages if you were less than 51% at fault for the crash, but your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. If you’re found to be 51% or more at fault, you won’t be able to collect any damages.
Because fault can be spread across multiple parties, it’s crucial to work with an attorney who can investigate every angle of your case. A skilled commercial truck accident lawyer can help ensure you don’t get stuck paying for someone else’s mistakes.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for a Truck Accident in Oregon?
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you don’t have forever to take legal action. Oregon has a strict statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim, according to ORS § 12.110.
Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to seek compensation entirely, even if you have a strong case.
Exceptions That May Extend the Deadline
There are some limited circumstances where the two-year clock may be paused or extended, such as:
- If the injured person is a minor: Under ORS § 12.160, if the person injured in the truck accident is under 18 at the time of the incident, the statute of limitations is typically paused (tolled) until they reach adulthood. Once the individual turns 18, they then have two years to file a personal injury claim on their own behalf.
- If the injured person is mentally incapacitated: The law also allows tolling if the injured person is declared mentally incapacitated and unable to understand or manage their legal affairs. The clock will usually resume once the individual regains legal capacity. This can apply in cases involving traumatic brain injuries, cognitive disabilities, or mental illness resulting from or predating the accident.
- If the at-fault party leaves the state for an extended period: If the person responsible for the accident leaves Oregon after the crash and before a lawsuit is filed, the statute of limitations may be paused during their absence, as outlined in ORS § 12.150. This prevents at-fault parties from evading legal responsibility simply by moving out of state.
It’s also worth noting that if your claim involves a government agency (e.g., due to poor road maintenance), you must follow a separate notice process. Oregon law requires you to submit a Tort Claim Notice within 180 days of the accident.
To protect your rights and avoid missing any deadlines, speak with a qualified attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Acting early also helps preserve evidence and witness accounts, which are crucial for building a strong case.
Oregon Truck Accident FAQ
Do I need a lawyer for a truck accident case in Oregon?
Truck accident cases are more complex than typical car crashes. They often involve multiple parties, commercial insurance policies, and federal trucking regulations. A lawyer can handle the investigation, protect your rights, and help you pursue maximum compensation.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Under Oregon’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 51% at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced based on your share of the blame.
How long does it take to resolve a truck accident claim?
Every case is different. Some claims settle in a few months, while others, especially those involving serious injuries or disputes over liability, may take a year or more. Your attorney can give you a better timeline based on the details of your case.
What kind of evidence is important in a truck accident case?
Key evidence includes the police report, photos of the scene, dashcam or surveillance footage, medical records, witness statements, black box (event data recorder) data, driver logs, and maintenance records from the trucking company.
Will I have to go to court?
Not always. Many truck accident claims are resolved through settlement. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, going to court may be necessary. A strong legal team will prepare your case with both outcomes in mind.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident attorney?
Most personal injury lawyers, including our team at Punjabi Truck Accident Lawyer, work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay anything up front. We only get paid if we win your case or secure a settlement.
What makes truck accidents more dangerous than regular car accidents?
Commercial trucks can weigh 20–30 times more than passenger vehicles. Their size and weight can cause a much greater impact force in a collision, which often results in more severe injuries or fatalities. They also require more time and distance to stop, especially in Oregon’s hilly or wet driving conditions.
Call Our Oregon Punjabi Truck Accident Law Firm Today
If a truck crash has left you facing medical bills, lost income, or long‑term injuries, you deserve an advocate who will fight for every dollar you’re owed. At Punjabi Truck Accident Lawyer, our seasoned trial lawyers leverage deep knowledge of trucking regulations and insurance tactics to help clients across Oregon move forward with confidence.
Whether you speak English, Punjabi, or another language, we make sure you’re fully heard and informed at every step. Let our professional team work for you. Reach out to our team at Punjabi Truck Accident Lawyer at (844) 656-2091 and claim a free, no‑obligation legal consultation.
