Boring Truck
Accident Lawyer

We Handle Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Involving Semi Trucks, 18-Wheelers & Other Large Trucks in Boring, OR and Throughout the Whole State of Oregon

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It’s not uncommon to see commercial trucks on the road transporting necessary goods for communities across the nation, including here in Boring, OR. The service that they are providing is absolutely crucial to the function of society. 

However, due to their immense size and limited visibility, commercial trucks create an increased risk of serious accidents for other drivers on the road. When an accident involving a commercial truck occurs, victims may be left suffering catastrophic or even fatal injuries. 

In the aftermath of a truck accident, it is often discovered that driver negligence was the cause. In some cases, other factors contributed to the accident as well. This is why it’s vital for victims of truck accidents to get the assistance of an experienced truck accident lawyer.

If you or your loved one has recently been involved in a truck accident, contact the Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free consultation. Our team of personal injury lawyers has used their years of experience to negotiate millions of dollars successfully in settlements for our clients.

Differences Between Car Accidents and Commercial Truck Accidents

Car accidents and truck accidents may appear similar to many people; however, there are significant differences between the two vehicles. The following list highlights just a few of these differences.

Injuries and Damages

One outstanding difference between car accidents and truck accidents is the extent of damage that results from these crashes. This is because a car can weigh up to 4,400 pounds, while a commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.

That is why victims of truck accidents tend to be left suffering severe, life-changing, or even fatal injuries. Sadly, such an incident occurred on June 23, 2025, in Boring. A motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries from an accident involving a commercial truck. This incident highlights how accidents involving commercial trucks far too often end with tragic results.

Multiple Parties Involved

Usually, car accidents involve just two vehicles, with one party primarily liable for damages. However, truck accidents may include multiple potentially liable parties.

In addition to the truck driver, these potentially liable parties may include the trucking company (if it hired an unqualified driver), the loading company (if the cargo was improperly loaded), or the truck manufacturer (if a faulty part was the cause). Any of these parties may be found fully or partially liable for the truck accident.

Insurance Policies

Most car accidents involve just two insurance policies, namely, that of the victim and the at-fault driver. However, commercial truck accidents typically involve multiple insurance companies, including the driver, the trucking company, the maintenance company, and the loading company.

Another difference regarding insurance policies is that insurance for autos tends to carry lower limits, since accidents involving cars usually are less severe than truck accidents. Due to the severity of the nature of truck accidents, commercial truck companies and other potentially liable parties tend to carry higher insurance limits.

Extensive Investigation

In the aftermath of a car accident, the drivers involved typically exchange driver’s licenses and insurance information, take pictures and videos, and eventually get a copy of the police report. However, with accidents involving a commercial truck, the aftermath investigation is much more extensive and complicated.

Evidence must be obtained from various sources, including the truck’s black box, data logs, and weigh station receipts. Also, repair records and inspection reports would need to be obtained to ascertain whether the crash occurred due to negligence with regard to regular maintenance.

Complex Regulations

In addition to following the same traffic laws as the other drivers on the road, a truck driver must also adhere to additional state laws and Federal regulations stipulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

Such rules as the transport of hazardous materials, weight restrictions, substance testing, and even the number of hours a truck driver is allowed to be behind the wheel are all regulated by the FMCSA.

This limited list highlights some significant differences between car accidents and truck accidents. It also shows why the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer would absolutely be needed to perform a thorough investigation, isolate the facts, and pursue all potentially liable parties for fair compensation.

Most Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

In commercial truck accidents, there are a number of factors that could have caused or contributed to the crash. Some of these factors include:

• Driver error: Far too often, in the aftermath of a truck accident, driver negligence is found to be the cause. Some types of negligent acts that a truck driver may engage in are distracted driving, driving while fatigued, and reckless driving. Additionally, a driver may fail to properly maneuver the truck when making a wide turn or fail to check blind spots before merging into the next lane.
• Mechanical failure: In some cases, a truck accident is caused by a defective part. When this is the case, the manufacturer of that part could possibly be held liable for damages. However, in cases where the necessary maintenance was not performed to keep the truck in a safe running condition, the maintenance company may be held liable.
• Poorly loaded cargo: A rollover accident, when a truck turns on its side, may occur if the cargo has been improperly loaded. Additionally, a truck driver may lose control of the vehicle and leave dangerous debris on the road if the tires blow out due to overloaded cargo. The same could result if the cargo has been correctly loaded but improperly secured.
• Inclement road conditions: Occasionally, road conditions may become hazardous due to inclement weather, such as snow, sleet, and heavy rain. These dangerous road conditions may cause a truck to hydroplane. Other potentially hazardous conditions on the road include large potholes or poorly marked construction zones. A driver may veer into oncoming traffic to avoid such hazards.

This list, while not exhaustive, does highlight some of the most common causes of truck accidents. It also shows how multiple parties may potentially share responsibility for the accident. The truck accident lawyers at Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm would know how to establish the facts of a truck accident claim by gathering evidence.

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.

Compensation That You May Be Entitled to Receive

In the aftermath of a truck accident, victims may be facing large medical bills and lost days from work, in addition to pain from physical and emotional injuries. If you or your loved one is facing such a scenario right now, remember that you have rights. Don’t settle for anything less than the compensation that you are legally entitled to receive.

While it is true that there’s no amount of money that would be sufficient to compensate for suffering long-term injuries or losing a loved one, financial compensation can help you feel a measure of justice for such loss and even begin the process of rebuilding your life.

An experienced truck accident attorney with our law firm can help you receive fair compensation for damages suffered. 

The damages sought are divided into two categories, economic and non-economic, and may include:

• Present and future medical bills for long-term care
• Present and future loss of income
• Household renovation and service costs
• Loss of property
• Pain and suffering
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Consortium and loss of enjoyment of life
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Punitive damages, if possible