Corvallis Truck
Accident Lawyer

We Represent Victims of Truck Accidents in Corvallis & Throughout Oregon. Call 503-546-3167 Today for a Free Consultation.

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Home to Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, is known for its safe neighborhoods and outdoor lifestyle. To satisfy the needs of its more than 60,000 residents, commercial trucks ply Highway 34, Highway 20, and a network of local roads each day. Sadly, sometimes these trips go wrong, resulting in serious injuries and potentially changing the lives of accident victims forever. 

At Johnston Law Firm, our Corvallis, OR, truck accident attorneys understand the devastation these accidents can cause, and we’re passionate about fighting for justice for accident victims. We’re ready to hear your story, build a strong case, and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.

There’s no need to go it alone. Talk to a compassionate Corvallis truck accident lawyer today by calling [phone number] or reaching out online to set up a consultation at a time that works for you.

Corvallis Truck Accident Hotspots

Downtown Corvallis is known for being busy, no matter what type of vehicle you’re traveling in, with some intersections in urgent need of attention. The OR 99W: 3rd Street and 4th Street at Western Boulevard is currently slated for intersection upgrades. Roads in need of repair and commercial trucks supplying downtown retailers can be a recipe for accidents.

Sadly, Corvallis has already seen its share of truck crashes:

• Highway 34: In 2022, a semi-truck was involved in a multi-vehicle accident just outside Corvallis, causing injuries to one of the drivers
• I-5 SB: At the Corvallis exit north of Highway 34, a semi-truck crashed and overturned, spilling its cargo onto the highway
• Highway 99: In August 2024, a man was taken to the hospital after his SUV collided with a garbage truck in Corvallis

Wherever your accident happened, and whatever injuries it caused, you can trust Johnston Law Firm’s Corvallis truck accident attorneys to hear your story and provide the legal advice you need. If we believe you have a strong case, we may agree to fight your claim, even all the way to court if needed.

Common Truck Driver Errors That Endanger Corvallis Drivers

Any driver can lose concentration and make a mistake behind the wheel. However, truck drivers face some unique challenges that may increase the likelihood of negligent actions that have devastating consequences.

• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers routinely work 60-hour weeks. Although federal and state regulations require them to take regular breaks and limit the number of hours they can work, they can still work up to 14 hours a day, and 60 hours in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days. These punishing work times and the fact that drivers often sleep in their trucks at truck stops mean truckers are susceptible to fatigue. This can be a deadly combination while driving.
• Speeding: Truck drivers aren’t out for a Sunday afternoon drive; they are under huge pressure to meet strict delivery deadlines and at the mercy of the weather and traffic conditions. Tight schedules can lead to truckers engaging in reckless behavior like speeding.
• Improper cargo loading: Sometimes, truck drivers are responsible for loading their trucks. At other times, it’s the responsibility of other workers or companies. Whoever does the loading, the truck driver needs to keep the truck steady while driving. If it has been incorrectly loaded, the truck can become unbalanced and even tip over.
• Distracted driving: Truckers spend many hours on the road when they cannot legally use their phones to read or send text messages, browse the internet, or press more than a single button to end a call. Like other drivers, truckers can be tempted to break the rules, get distracted, and cause serious accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) points out that the odds of being involved in a “safety-critical event…are 23.2 times greater” for truck drivers who text while driving compared to the risk for those who don’t. 

However, while a truck driver’s error may be the immediate cause of your accident, the driver is not the only party who could potentially face a Corvallis truck accident claim.

Why Liability Is Complicated in Truck Accident Cases

In a Corvallis, OR, truck accident, there may be several potentially liable parties. This is just one reason why you should never go it alone or rely on an insurance company after a truck accident. Every truck accident requires a thorough investigation from a truck accident lawyer who is interested in uncovering the truth, not in protecting the insurer or the trucking company.

Identifying All Liable Parties After a Truck Crash

To maximize your compensation, your truck accident lawyer may consider all the following parties for potential liability:

• Truck driver: As we have seen, he or she may have been tired, distracted, working too many hours, or intoxicated at the time of the accident, leading to negligent behavior.
• Trucking company: Under the legal concept of respondeat superior, the trucking company may be vicariously responsible for the truck driver’s actions. Even if the truck driver is an independent contractor, the company can still be held responsible. Additionally, the trucking company may have shown negligence in its lack of training, poor hiring practices, or putting truck drivers under pressure to meet unrealistic schedules.
• Cargo loading company: If the truck was loaded incorrectly, was overloaded beyond legal limits, or did not tell the driver or trucking company about hazardous contents, the company may be found liable.
• Maintenance contractor: Commercial trucks cover 125,000 miles on average every year and require a lot of maintenance to keep them in good working order. The FMCSA requires that all trucks be systematically “inspected, repaired, and maintained” and that “parts and accessories must be in safe and proper condition at all times.” If a maintenance company fails to uphold these standards and its negligence leads to an accident, the company could be sued for compensation.
• Truck or parts manufacturer: A truck accident investigation may reveal that an accident was caused by a defective part or a flawed system in the truck. If the truck or parts were inherently unsafe, your truck accident lawyer may be able to build a case that the truck manufacturer or parts manufacturer was liable for your accident.

Rights for Partially Liable Truck Accident Victims

It is important to remember that none of the above may be liable for your accident. It could have been caused by another driver’s negligence. You may even believe that you were partially liable.

In this case, do not avoid seeking legal advice in the belief that you are not entitled to compensation. While the insurance company may be quick to pin the blame on you, you deserve a sympathetic ear, and Johnston Law Firm truck accident lawyers have the patience and experience you need. 

In Oregon, even if you are up to 50 percent liable, you can still recover partial compensation for your Corvallis truck accident. So whatever the circumstances of your accident, talk to one of our experienced local attorneys to discover the legal options open to you.

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The Devastating Impact of Truck Accidents

A truck accident can affect every aspect of a victim’s life. Long after the initial wounds have healed, the impact may be felt by every member of the family.

Physical Consequences

Trucks are the heaviest and largest vehicles on Oregon’s roads. When truck accidents happen, they often cause life-changing injuries, which may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal injuries and paralysis
• Internal injuries, including internal bleeding and organ damage
• Crush injuries
• Amputations

Some injuries may result in permanent disabilities requiring ongoing medical treatment and the assistance of caretakers. This may make it difficult or even impossible to remain in employment and perform normal daily tasks.

Emotional and Psychological Consequences

Truck accidents are terrifying, and the trauma can lead to long-term psychological consequences for some victims. This may include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A dedicated Corvallis truck accident attorney will look beyond physical injuries and take into account the pain and suffering you have endured when fighting for fair compensation that reflects the full impact of your truck accident.

Financial Consequences

Medical bills can quickly start to pile up and become overwhelming after a truck accident. If you can no longer work as you did before, you may also be deprived of your regular income, leading to financial difficulties for you and your family.

No one should suffer the injustice of being financially harmed by a truck accident that was not his or her fault. A Johnston Law Firm truck accident lawyer can aggressively pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage to restore the financial losses you have sustained.