Severe injuries and expensive medical bills are common in truck accident cases. The massive size and weight of commercial trucks compared to the average passenger vehicle is a recipe for destruction. If you were injured in a crash, an experienced Oregon truck accident lawyer can help you recover damages from the liable party.
At Groth & Associates, we have 89+ years of experience helping accident victims recover compensation from those liable for their damages. Learn more about how our team of experienced Oregon personal injury lawyers can help by scheduling a free case review with a member of our legal team today.
Common At-Fault Parties in Truck Accident Cases
Before you can file a lawsuit to recover damages, you will first need to figure out who is liable for your truck accident. While many people assume the driver of the truck is to blame, the truth is that there are a variety of parties who can potentially hold a level of fault. Some of the most common liable parties in cases include:
- The trucking company
- Any company that performed maintenance on the truck
- The manufacturer of the truck
- A parts manufacturer
- The company that loaded the truck
- A third-party driver whose actions caused the accident
Of course, this list is not exhaustive. Many other parties could be to blame, depending on the details of your case. An experienced truck accident attorney in Oregon will thoroughly investigate your accident to figure out who is at fault so you can begin the process of taking legal action to recover damages.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving Oregon, call (419) 930-3030
How Much Does a Truck Accident Attorney Serving Oregon Charge?
At Groth & Associates, we take on truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not pay any money for legal services if you don’t recover compensation from the liable party. If we do get you money, we collect a single fee at the conclusion of your case, taken directly out of the money you recover as a fixed percentage.
This fee system allows us to provide access to experienced legal representation for all accident victims, regardless of their financial situation. When we take your case, we will handle all legal matters so you can focus on getting healthy. Our team will ensure that you meet the personal injury statute of limitations in Ohio deadline and build a strong case in support of your claim.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
Proving Negligence Following a Truck Accident
To get the money you need from the liable party after a truck accident, you will need to show that they were negligent or acting with the intention of causing harm. The four elements necessary to establish negligence are:
- Duty of care
- Breached duty of care
- Causation
- Damages
Duty of Care
The first thing you will need to do when attempting to prove negligence is show how the defendant owed you a duty of care. In most cases, establishing the presence of a duty of care is simple.
For example, if you are looking to recover compensation from the truck driver, the duty of care they owe to you is clear. All drivers owe a duty of care to everyone on the road, requiring them to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner.
Similarly, trucking companies must provide their drivers with adequate safety training and ensure that their trucks are regularly maintained to protect everyone on the road.
Breached Duty of Care
After establishing that the liable party owed you a duty of care, you will need to prove that they violated that duty. When pursuing damages from a truck driver, you can prove a violation by showing that they engaged in a variety of unsafe behaviors, including:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Talking on a cell phone or texting while driving
When filing a claim against the trucking company, proving that they failed to adequately train their drivers or carry out routine maintenance on their fleet of trucks will serve as adequate evidence of a breach of their duty of care.
Causation
The last thing you will need to do to prove negligence is show how all these elements fit together. An experienced truck accident lawyer serving Oregon can help demonstrate to the court how the at-fault party’s breach of their duty of care directly led to the damages you incurred.
Damages
Next, you will need to show that you suffered damages in connection with your accident. In most cases, the simplest way of proving your damages is through your accident-related medical records and medical bills.
Damages Commonly Awarded in Truck Accident Cases
After suffering serious injuries in a truck accident, there are a variety of damages you will likely be eligible to collect. Some of the damages most often awarded following truck accidents include:
- Medical costs
- Future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Property damage
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
- Loss of companionship
- Lowered quality of life
In a small number of cases, punitive damages are also available. The court reserves these damages for extreme cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm. After losing a loved one as the result of a truck accident, an Oregon wrongful death lawyer can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover the money you need and deserve.
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Get Help From an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Oregon Today
Recovering compensation from the responsible party can be crucial for putting your life back in order after suffering damages in a truck accident. The best method for ensuring you get the money you need and deserve is to hire an experienced attorney. At Groth & Associates, our team of Oregon truck accident attorneys has a long history of winning big for our clients.
Contact us today by filling out our online contact form or giving us a call to schedule your free initial case evaluation.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form