Oregon and Washington Truck Accident Lawyers

Rear-End Collisions

Among the most common types of truck accidents, rear-end collisions typically occur when a truck follows another vehicle too closely or cannot stop in time. The force of a large commercial vehicle can cause severe whiplash, back injuries, and multi-vehicle pileups. A truck accident lawyer may investigate black box data, braking records, and driver logs to prove the trucker was speeding, distracted, or fatigued, then pursue compensation from the driver, trucking company, and their insurers.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on truck crashes can occur when a truck driver crosses the center line, drives the wrong way, or loses control of their big rig vehicle. Because of the truck’s size and speed, these impacts are frequently fatal or life-changing. An ESE truck accident lawyer will reconstruct the crash with experts, obtain toxicology reports, and analyze maintenance and dispatch records to show negligence.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the truck’s trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, forming an L- or V-shape. This can block multiple lanes of traffic and lead to devastating secondary collisions. We will look for improper braking, speeding, or inadequate driver training, using electronic logging data and expert testimony to show how the company’s policies or violations of safety rules contributed to the jackknife.

Truck Rollovers

Rollovers happen when a truck tips onto its side or roof, often due to excessive speed, sharp turns, or improperly loaded cargo. Nearby vehicles can be crushed or forced off the road. Our Washington and Oregon truck accident lawyers will investigate load manifests, weigh station records, and company safety procedures to identify unsafe loading or negligent driving, then bring claims against both the driver and any cargo-loading contractors.

Underride Accidents

In an underride crash, a smaller vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a truck’s trailer. These collisions are often deadly because the upper part of the smaller vehicle can be severely crushed. Our Portland truck accident lawyers will determine whether the trailer had proper underride guards and reflective markings, and apply FMCSA regulations to the accident profile. In underride accidents, equipment failures and poor maintenance can make the crash more severe.

T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions

T-bone crashes typically occur at intersections when a truck runs a red light, fails to yield, or makes an unsafe turn. The side of a passenger vehicle offers less protection, so injuries can be severe. Our truck accident lawyers can obtain traffic camera footage, witness statements, and phone records to show the trucker’s fault, and then seek damages for medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipes occur when a truck traveling in the same or opposite direction makes contact along the side of another vehicle. They often happen during unsafe lane changes or merges and can push smaller vehicles into other lanes or off the road. Eder Sturm Eder will likely focus on the truck driver’s mirror checks, blind-spot monitoring systems, and lane-change policies. We will then use accident reconstruction experts to prove the truck driver violated lane safety rules.

Blind Spot (No-Zone) Crashes

These accidents arise when a truck driver fails to see a vehicle in a large blind spot along the sides, rear, or front of the truck. The truck may change lanes or turn into the smaller vehicle’s path. An attorney can analyze the truck’s placement, speed, and signaling, and use expert testimony to explain that professional drivers must account for known “no-zones,” countering insurers’ attempts to blame the smaller vehicle.

Wide-Turn Accidents

Wide-turn crashes happen when a truck swings wide—usually to the left—to make a right turn, or cuts a turn too sharply. Nearby vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians can be trapped, squeezed, or struck. A lawyer may review diagrams, surveillance video, and municipal truck-route rules to show the turn was unsafe and violated professional driving standards, then pursue claims for both physical and emotional harm.

Tire Blowout Accidents

When a truck tire suddenly fails, the driver can lose control and swerve into other lanes or off the roadway. Flying tire debris can also create hazards for vehicles behind the truck. An ESE truck accident attorney will obtain maintenance records, inspection reports, and tire manufacturing data to determine whether poor upkeep or a defective tire caused the blowout and then hold the responsible company or manufacturer accountable.

Lost Load / Falling Cargo Accidents

These occur when cargo is not properly secured and falls from a truck or shifts suddenly. Spilled or shifting loads can strike other vehicles directly or cause serious crashes as drivers try to avoid debris. Your Eder Sturm Eder truck accident lawyer may pursue claims against shippers, loaders, and the carrier by examining tie-down methods, training records, and compliance with cargo securement regulations.

Brake Failure and Mechanical Failure Crashes

If a truck’s brakes, steering, or other critical systems fail, the driver may be unable to stop or control the vehicle. Poor maintenance or defective parts can turn a manageable situation into a serious collision. An Oregon/Washington truck accident lawyer will work with engineering experts to inspect the truck, evaluate maintenance logs, and identify whether the trucking company, repair shop, or parts manufacturer is responsible.

Distracted or Fatigued Driving Accidents

Crashes linked to distraction or driver fatigue occur when a trucker is texting, using a device, or too tired to react safely. Delayed reaction times and drifting between lanes dramatically increase the risk of a serious wreck. Trust your ESE truck accident lawyer to analyze all phone records, logbooks, and hours-of-service data to show rule violations and build a case that the carrier encouraged unsafe schedules or failed to enforce “hours-of-service” rest requirements.