Bend Truck
Accident Lawyer

Our Team Handles Vehicle Accident Claims Involving Semi Trucks, 18-Wheelers & Other Commercial Trucks in Bend and Throughout Oregon

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Every year, about 4,000 people lose their lives in truck accidents across the United States. Thousands more suffer serious injuries that change their lives forever. When you’re involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle on Bend’s busy highways, the consequences can be devastating.

At Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm, we understand the unique challenges that truck accident victims face. Our experienced legal team has years of experience with commercial vehicle accident cases. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Bend, don’t face this battle alone. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us start fighting for your rights.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Bend

Truck accidents in Bend can be caused by a number of factors. The leading causes of truck accidents often include:

• Driver fatigue from long hours and pressure to meet deadlines
• Distracted driving from cell phones, GPS systems, and other devices
• Mechanical failures, including brake problems and tire blowouts
• Improper maintenance of critical safety systems
• Speeding and aggressive driving behaviors
• Weather conditions that reduce visibility and road safety

Types of Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents cause some of the most severe injuries seen in motor vehicle collisions. This is due to the massive size and weight difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. The strong impact of truck accidents can cause severe injuries. Victims may even need long-term medical care to recover.

Some examples of common injuries from truck accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Severe burns
• Psychological trauma

Oregon Truck Accident Laws and Regulations

Oregon has specific laws and regulations for commercial trucking companies. These laws set the standard for trucking operations within the state.

Key regulations that affect truck accident cases include:

• Hours of service limits that restrict how long drivers can operate
• Weight limits for commercial vehicles on Oregon highways
• Maintenance requirements for critical safety systems
• Driver qualification standards, including licensing and medical fitness
• Cargo securement rules to prevent shifting loads
• Drug and alcohol testing programs for commercial drivers

When trucking companies fail to follow federal regulations, they put everyone on the road at risk. Truck accident lawyers know that these laws are there to protect other drivers on the road. In accident cases, they often look into whether any of these regulations were violated and caused the accident.

What to Do After a Truck Accident?

The steps you take immediately after a truck accident can have a big impact on your compensation. Your priority should always be getting medical attention for any injuries. 

However, if you’re able to do so safely, there are important steps you should take at the scene. These actions can help protect your legal rights and strengthen your case.

Essential steps after a truck accident include:

Contact an attorney as soon as possible

Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical help

Get medical attention even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured

Document the scene with photos and video, if possible

Gather information from all drivers and witnesses

Avoid admitting fault or discussing the accident details with others

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.

Dealing With Multiple Insurance Policies

Truck accident cases often involve multiple insurance policies that can provide compensation for your injuries. The truck driver may have personal insurance, while the trucking company carries commercial policies. 

There may also be additional coverage for the cargo being transported. Determining which policies apply and how much coverage is available requires specialized knowledge.

Insurance company adjusters will often contact truck accident victims within hours of the collision. Insurance adjusters may seem helpful and concerned about your well-being. However, their primary goal is to minimize the amount their company pays out on claims. You should be very careful about what you say to insurance representatives. Anything you say can be used against you later.

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. You should direct all communication through your attorney once you’ve hired one. This protects you from saying something that could hurt your case.

Our firm has experience dealing with all types of commercial insurance policies. We know how to maximize recovery from multiple sources and ensure that you receive full compensation for your injuries.

Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims

Oregon law sets specific time limits for filing truck accident lawsuits. In most cases, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation forever. However, some exceptions to this rule may apply.

Important deadlines to remember:

• 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Oregon
• 3 years to file a wrongful death claim
• Shorter deadlines may apply for claims against government entities
• Evidence preservation should begin immediately after the accident
• Insurance claims should be filed promptly to avoid delays
• Legal consultation should happen as soon as possible

Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations

There are limited circumstances where the statute of limitations may be extended. For example, if the truck accident resulted in injuries that weren’t discovered until later, the time limit may begin when the injury was discovered. This is called the discovery rule. However, these exceptions are rare and difficult to prove.

The best approach is to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your truck accident. This ensures that all deadlines are met and that your case is handled properly from the beginning. Waiting too long can result in lost evidence and weakened claims.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Beyond the legal deadlines, there are practical reasons to act quickly after a truck accident. Evidence can disappear, witnesses may forget important details, and trucking companies may destroy records. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better chance we have of building a strong case for you.

Insurance companies also prefer to settle claims quickly, often before victims understand the full extent of their injuries. Having an attorney involved early in the process helps protect you from accepting inadequate settlements.

How a Truck Accident Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Truck accident cases are far more complex than regular two-vehicle car accident claims. They involve federal regulations, multiple insurance policies, and often several potentially liable parties. A skilled truck accident attorney brings expertise and resources to your case that you can’t get anywhere else.

Ways in which a truck accident lawyer can help include:

• Investigating the accident to find all causes and liable parties
• Gathering evidence, including electronic data and witness statements
• Calculating damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering
• Negotiating with insurance companies to maximize your settlement
• Filing lawsuits when necessary to protect your rights
• Representing you in court if your case goes to trial

Damages Available in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident victims may be entitled to various types of compensation depending on the circumstances of their case. The goal of any personal injury claim is to make the victim whole again. 

While money cannot undo the harm that has been done, it can help victims rebuild their lives and move forward. The amount of compensation depends on factors like the severity of injuries and the impact on the victim’s life.

Types of damages in truck accident cases include:

• Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgery costs, and rehabilitation
• Lost wages from time off work due to injuries
• Future medical costs for ongoing treatment and care
• Pain and suffering from physical and emotional trauma
• Lost earning capacity if injuries prevent a return to work
• Property damage to repair or replace your vehicle

Why Choose Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm for Your Truck Accident Case?

At Johnston Law Firm, we are dedicated to winning your truck accident case. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for your specific situation.

What sets us apart from other firms:

• Extensive experience with truck accident cases and federal regulations
• Proven track record of successful settlements and verdicts
• Personal attention from experienced attorneys who care about your case
• No upfront costs — we only get paid if you recover compensation
• Local knowledge of Bend courts and Oregon laws

Our firm has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for truck accident victims throughout Oregon. While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, our track record proves our ability to handle complex truck accident cases successfully. We’re not afraid to take cases to trial when necessary to ensure our clients receive fair compensation.