Dallas, OR Truck
Accident Lawyer

We Represent Truck Accident Victims in Dallas, OR, and Throughout Oregon. Call 503-546-3167 Today!

X

No matter how much we try to avoid them, accidents happen. While some are minor and result in little to no damage, others can be life-changing. Although Dallas residents enjoy the relative peace that comes with living in a small city, they are no strangers to busy and dangerous highways or the accidents that come with them. 

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Dallas, OR, you likely have many questions. Of course, your initial concern is likely for the health and safety of yourself and your family. However, in addition to the pressing medical needs, additional legal matters must be handled. 

At Johnston Law Firm, we fight to represent our clients’ interests and also to build a safer, healthier community. Owner and managing attorney Marc Johnston has dedicated his 15+ year legal career to seeking justice for injury victims, and this determination is shared by his entire legal team. 

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. We will take the time to hear your story and see how we can meet the needs of you and your family. 

Dangerous Roads Near Dallas, OR

The area around Dallas, OR, has many high-traffic intersections and dangerous roads that see many accidents each year. 

According to Oregon Department of Transportation (DOT) crash data, these roads near Dallas recorded injuries or fatalities between 2020 and 2023:

• Highway 223 (Dallas-Rickreal Highway/Kings Valley Highway)
• Highway 51 (Independence Highway)
• Highway 99W (Pacific Highway W)

In addition, Oregon DOT has identified the intersection of Highways 22 and 51 near Dallas as a priority site for safety improvements due to the high number of accidents in the area. 

According to a DOT report, 154 crashes were reported between 2016 and 2020 in that stretch of highway between Rickreal Road and Doaks Ferry Road. The report outlines recommended safety improvements for the area, but notes that a lack of funding has prevented these changes from being implemented. Sadly, these and other intersections continue to be the scene of serious and, at times, fatal accidents. 

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Every truck accident is different. However, several dangerous and negligent actions result in truck accidents every year. 

Truck driver negligence

Driver negligence is a factor in nearly all car accidents. While truck drivers are supposed to be well-trained and more experienced drivers, they are still subject to driver error and negligence. 

Sometimes spending long hours on the road can cause a truck driver to become complacent and less attentive. 

Truck driver negligence that could lead to an accident includes:

• Failure to yield
• Inattention or distracted driving
• Dangerous passing or lane changing
• Driving too fast for conditions

Insufficient vehicle maintenance

Trucking companies are required to follow strict federal and state regulations regarding inspections and maintenance of commercial trucks. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations ensure that commercial vehicles are in safe and working order, reducing the chances of an accident occurring. 

However, not all trucking companies and truck drivers follow these regulations as they should. This may be done in an effort to meet deadlines or avoid losing money by taking a vehicle off the road for necessary repairs and maintenance. Or it could be a result of human error and oversight. No matter the reason, failing to properly maintain a truck can have disastrous consequences. 

Essential areas of vehicle maintenance include:

• Brakes: A truck with poorly maintained brakes may be unable to stop in a timely manner or even experience complete brake failure.
• Tires: Tires that are not kept in good condition may cause a truck to lose control. A tire blowout can be disastrous and lead to a chain reaction collision, affecting multiple vehicles.
• Lights: If a truck has broken or malfunctioning lights, other drivers may not be able to react properly to the truck’s movements and cause a collision. 

Improper cargo loading and transport

One of the risk factors in truck accidents is not only the size of the vehicle, but also the materials it is transporting. If the cargo is not loaded properly onto the truck, the weight may be unevenly distributed, causing the truck to be unstable or the driver to lose control. It could also cause the cargo to become unsecured, increasing the chances of an accident.

Improperly loaded cargo could result in:

• Jackknife accidents
• Truck rollovers
• Loss of cargo

In addition to the way cargo is loaded, the type of material being transported can increase the risk. For example, materials like oil and gasoline are flammable, and other materials may release toxic fumes if they are released. Commercial trucks must follow additional security measures when transporting hazardous materials. 

What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different Than Other Car Accident Cases?

At Johnson Law Firm, we handle various types of injury law. However, we have a focus on truck accidents. This experience better equips our team to handle the details of these complex cases. 

The extent of damage

A fully-loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Even when empty, a semi-truck weighs up to 40,000 pounds, or 10 times the weight of a Toyota RAV4. Clearly, an accident between a semi-truck and a regular passenger vehicle will result in more extensive damage than an accident between two vehicles of similar size.

Since truck accidents often result in serious injuries or even death, the amount of compensation required can easily reach into the millions. Of course, insurance companies will try to minimize the amount of compensation as much as possible, making it important to have adequate legal representation on your side. 

The liable parties

Many regular car accident cases involve two parties: the injured driver and the liable driver. However, in truck accident cases, there are often multiple potential liable parties. In these cases, each party may try to point the finger and shift the blame to the other to avoid liability.

Potential liable parties in truck accidents include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The cargo loaders
• The manufacturer
• Third-party maintenance companies

Many times, more than one party shares liability for the crash. Cases involving multiple parties and shared liability are more complex and may be subject to several different statutes. You will need the help of a law firm with extensive experience in handling the intricacies of truck accidents, like Johnston Law Firm.

The legal regulations

Commercial truck drivers and the trucking companies that manage fleets are held to a higher standard than passenger vehicles. For example, strict rules are in place regarding:

• The number of hours the driver is behind the wheel
• The frequency and length of non-driving breaks
• The keeping of accurate and up-to-date records and logs

Since there are additional regulations governing the trucking industry, more factors must be considered and investigated when handling these types of cases.

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.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

While any type of car accident can result in serious injuries, those involving large trucks are more likely to result in severe injuries or permanent disabilities. 

Head and brain injuries

Head and brain injuries are common in truck accidents, as there is often a stronger force of impact. These injuries can be either closed, meaning the brain is injured from an external force, or penetrating, meaning the brain is injured when a foreign object pierces the skull.

Even “mild” brain injuries such as a concussion can have disabling, long-term effects on an injury victim. Brain injuries can result in symptoms such as confusion, personality and mood changes, and memory problems. More serious brain injuries can have a significant impact on a person’s motor and cognitive functions. 

Spine and neck injuries

Injuries to the neck and spine may result in loss of strength, feeling, and function of different body parts. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, it may result in a complete loss of movement and function or varying degrees of impairment. 

Even relatively minor spinal injuries that do not result in paralysis can have a lifelong impact, causing a change in sensations, pain, stinging, or a change in sexual function. As with head and brain injuries, neck and spine injuries affect a person’s emotional and mental health as well, as there is a significant impact on quality of life.

When a Truck Accident Results in a Fatality

Sadly, many truck accidents are fatal. If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident, you may be overwhelmed with grief or anger at the responsible party. 

When you work with a trusted law firm, your lawyers can identify all liable parties and hold them accountable. While nothing can bring your loved one back, a wrongful death lawsuit not only offers some compensation for the innumerable losses you have suffered but can also bring justice for you and your family.