Banks Truck
Accident Attorney

We Handle Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Involving Semi Trucks, 18-Wheelers & Other Large Trucks in Banks and Throughout Oregon

X

Trucks are an integral part of the economy in Banks, Oregon. Commercial vehicles carry wine from local vineyards. Large trucks transport farm-fresh produce grown for businesses selling their goods in nearby Portland. Yet, sometimes accidents happen. 

When trucks crash, the results can be serious. Some lose their lives. Survivors deal with injuries, damaged property, and insurance companies that value profit over justice. The day of the accident is often the beginning of a challenging journey, but in Banks, Oregon, you don’t have to struggle alone. Consulting personal injury lawyers could change the course of your future. 

Johnston Law Firm can help you discover and protect your rights. Call us to schedule a free case review with our personal injury team. 

Uncovering the Numbers — Truck Accidents in Banks, Oregon

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) reported the following crash statistics for Washington County in 2024: 

• 36 people killed
• 1,726 people injured
• 1,952 total motor vehicle accidents 

Banks, Oregon, has many off-road trails where hikers, bicyclists, and people riding horses enjoy the outdoors. However, when these people share roads or paths with trucks, the results can be disastrous. In Banks, OR, and the surrounding area, trucks were involved in 53 crashes in 2024.

Studies show that truck accidents cause more deaths and injuries than crashes with passenger vehicles. At Johnston Law Firm, our attorneys understand how devastating these accidents can be. Determining the causes behind them can help our legal team recover significant compensation to cover your financial losses. 

Identifying the Root Causes of Trucking Collisions

Understanding why trucking accidents occur allows lawyers to determine who is responsible. This knowledge helps them hold at-fault truck drivers accountable for their actions behind the wheel. You can learn more about negligence and liability in the next section. 

A study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mentioned common types of truck crashes, such as:

• Collisions with another vehicle: Incidents involving a truck and another motor vehicle (e.g., rear-end, side swipe, head-on crashes)
• Multi-vehicle: Scenarios involving a truck and multiple cars, often leading to complex chain reactions, called pile-up collisions
• Single-vehicle: Events where a truck causes property damage, often after crashing with fixed objects like buildings, fences, or landscaping features like trees or bushes
• Vulnerable road-user incidents: Situations where trucks collide with pedestrians or cyclists
• Rollovers: When a truck tips over onto its side or roof as a result of impact, speeding, sharp turns, or improper loading
• Run-off-road incidents: When damages occur due to a truck leaving the roadway or forcing someone to veer off to avoid a collision 

The FMCSA study also revealed various factors that contribute to truck collisions. 

Driver-related factors

Truck driver errors often play a significant role in serious accidents. Understanding how driver mistakes contribute to crashes can reveal where accountability lies.

Common driver-related factors are listed here:

• Alcohol or drug use: Driving performance impaired by alcohol, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, or illegal substances 
• Inattention: Distraction from or inattention to the road
• Illegal maneuvers: Unlawful driving actions, such as illegal lane changes, speeding, or running red lights
• Aggressive behavior: Reckless acts, like intentionally tailgating or weaving in and out of traffic
• Fatigue: Overly tired or drowsy drivers, possibly as a result of violating federal hours of service regulations (i.e., illegal scheduling practices)
• False assumptions: Incorrectly predicting the actions of other road users
• Unfamiliar roadways: Detours, temporary construction patterns, or new routes that cause confusion or disorientation
• Unfamiliarity with the vehicle: Operating a vehicle less than 6 times within 6 months

Medical conditions: Sudden health issues

Many of the causes of truck accidents are preventable. Individual decisions like taking drugs or drinking too much play a significant role. Yet, driver-related factors often involve the trucking industry.

For instance, trucking companies should ensure new hires have the proper credentials. In the State of Oregon, you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive vehicles:

• Weighing over a specific limit
• Pulling trailers over a specific weight
• Carrying 16 or more people, including the driver
• Transporting certain hazardous materials or dangerous substances

Drivers should also get proper training from their company. They need to know how to drive a large truck safely and handle potential dangers like blind spots. A trucking company may share fault for an accident if it failed to fulfill these duties.

Environmental challenges

Environmental factors can turn highways hazardous, creating risks even for cautious drivers. Such challenges might include:

• Interrupted traffic flow: Congestion or disruption due to previous crashes or other issues
• Roadway-related factors: Poor design, inadequate maintenance, missing or faded signs
• Adverse weather: Rain, ice, snow, sleet, high winds, fog, or other weather conditions affect visibility or maneuverability

Some road conditions that arise are no one’s fault. However, a driver’s poor response to rain-slicked pavement or the government’s failure to maintain safe roads could lead to preventable harm. Knowing the difference is key to building a strong claim and holding the right people accountable.

Mechanical and loading issues

Some dangerous situations occur when a truck does not work correctly. The risk of collision could be high if there are problems like those described below:

• Defective auto parts: Components that are faulty or fail to meet safety standards
• Inadequate maintenance: Failure to perform regular inspections or repairs
• Cargo shift: Improper loading or securement of cargo, affecting stability and control

Mechanical and loading issues can quickly lead to deadly truck accidents. If these problems cause a crash, you may have the right to sue for the harm and costs you have suffered.

Don’t miss out on these common personal injury mistakes.

Get the legal counsel you need to guide you through the process of filing an injury claim.

Seeking the Justice You Deserve in Tualatin Valley

After an Oregon truck accident, how can you recover the compensation you deserve? A truck accident lawyer can pursue financial relief for your losses. 

Identifying the liable party 

Liability refers to legal responsibility. A liable individual or entity must pay for harm caused to another party. An experienced personal injury lawyer can determine who is responsible for your damages.

First, your attorney can determine whether someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. He or she might investigate: 

• Truck operators
• Trucking companies
• Auto repair shops
• Auto part manufacturers
• Cargo loaders
• Other motorists
• Government entities responsible for maintaining roads

Neglect is the failure to exercise reasonable care. To show someone was careless, your truck accident lawyer will look at what each party was supposed to do. If one of them failed to uphold their duty and caused harm as a result, that constitutes negligence. 

Collecting proof

Some evidence in a truck accident is the same as in any car crash. However, truck crashes might also involve records specific to commercial vehicles. Trucking company logs might show that the driver was tired, speeding, or ignoring safety rules.

Important evidence to build a strong case could include:

•  Police reports and crash scene photos
•  Witness names and contact information
•  Medical records and bills
•  Photos of injuries and vehicle damage
•  Truck driver logbooks and hours-of-service records
•  The truck’s black box (electronic data recorder) data
• Trucking company maintenance and inspection records
•  Weight and cargo records
•  Dashcam or surveillance video

You should collect as much information as possible right after the crash. The more details you have, the easier it is to prove how the crash happened and how it affected your life.

Calculating fair compensation

Getting a settlement from an insurance company may feel like a win. Yet, the contentment you feel may be short-lived. An insurance company’s first offer does not always cover future accident-related costs.

You could be left with unpaid bills or lost income. Receiving appropriate compensation means calculating what your claim is truly worth in advance. A lawyer can determine the full extent of your losses, namely:

• Medical bills and future treatment
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Damage to your vehicle or property
• Wrongful death compensation

You deserve payment for both the financial and personal effects of your injuries. Do not rush to settle your claim. Talk to a Bank’s accident lawyer before accepting any insurance compensation offer.

Meeting deadlines

To ensure witness accounts and physical evidence are as reliable as possible, all US states have statutes of limitations. These deadlines limit the time you have to recover compensation for truck accidents. Delaying too long can prevent you from collecting the compensation you would have been due.

Money can quickly become an issue when expensive medical treatment and car repairs drain your finances. At Johnston Law Firm, our experience allows us to work efficiently while aiming to maximize our clients’ compensation.