Pendleton Truck Accident Lawyer

Experienced Pendleton Truck Accident Lawyers Fighting for Injury Victims Throughout Eastern Oregon – Call Today for a Free Consultation

When a commercial truck crashes into your vehicle, life changes in an instant. You’re suddenly facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and an uncertain future.

At Hess Injury Law, we understand what you’re going through. Our Pendleton truck accident lawyers have helped countless victims navigate the aftermath of devastating truck crashes throughout Eastern Oregon.

Truck Accidents in Pendleton: A Serious Danger on Our Roads

Pendleton sits at the crossroads of major transportation routes. With I-84 running through our community and highways connecting to Washington state, our roads see heavy commercial truck traffic every day.

These massive vehicles—often weighing up to 80,000 pounds—share the road with passenger cars weighing just 3,000 pounds. This disparity means truck accidents typically result in catastrophic consequences for occupants of smaller vehicles.

Common causes of truck accidents in the Pendleton area include:

  • Driver fatigue from long hours on the road
  • Speeding to meet tight delivery deadlines
  • Improper loading causing trailer imbalance
  • Poor truck maintenance
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of substances
  • Unfamiliarity with Pendleton’s mountain passes and changing weather conditions

The busy intersection of I-84 and Highway 395, the steep grades of Cabbage Hill, and winter driving conditions on the Blue Mountains all contribute to making our region a high-risk area for truck accidents.

Why Truck Accident Claims Are Different

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need to understand that these cases are fundamentally different from typical car accident claims.

Here’s why:

  • Multiple Liable Parties: The truck driver might not be the only responsible party. The trucking company, maintenance contractors, cargo loaders, and even truck manufacturers might share liability.
  • Complex Regulations: Commercial trucks must comply with federal and state regulations that don’t apply to passenger vehicles. Violations of these regulations can be crucial evidence in your case.
  • More Substantial Insurance Policies: Commercial trucks typically carry larger insurance policies, which means insurance companies fight even harder to minimize payouts.
  • Evidence Preservation Challenges: Critical evidence like electronic logging devices, maintenance records, and driver qualification files must be preserved quickly before they’re lost or destroyed.

Without experienced legal representation, you risk being outmaneuvered by trucking companies and their insurers who start building their defense immediately after a crash.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?

The aftermath of a truck accident often involves extensive medical treatment, ongoing rehabilitation, and significant life disruptions. Oregon law allows victims to seek compensation for various damages, including:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Long-term disability costs
  • In-home care expenses

In rare cases involving extremely reckless behavior, punitive damages may also be available.

At Hess Injury Law, we work diligently to calculate the full value of your claim, including future expenses you may not have considered. Our goal is to secure maximum compensation so you can focus on your recovery without financial worry.

Oregon Truck Accident Laws You Should Know

Understanding Oregon’s truck accident laws is crucial to protecting your rights:

Statute of Limitations

In Oregon, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, certain circumstances may extend or shorten this timeframe. Waiting too long can permanently bar your right to compensation.

Comparative Negligence Rule

Oregon follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. If you’re found partially responsible for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re deemed more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages.

Federal Regulations

Commercial trucks operating in Pendleton must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations regarding hours of service, maintenance requirements, load securement, and driver qualifications. Violations of these regulations can help establish negligence in your case.

Why Choose Hess Injury Law for Your Truck Accident Case?

When you’re recovering from serious truck accident injuries, the last thing you need is the added stress of fighting insurance companies and trucking corporations.

Here’s why Pendleton residents trust our firm:

  • Experience: We have specific experience handling complex truck accident cases in Eastern Oregon.
  • Resources to Investigate: We work with accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and industry specialists to build strong cases.
  • Local Knowledge: We understand Pendleton’s roads, weather patterns, and local courts.
  • Proven Results: We’ve secured substantial truck accident settlements and verdicts for truck accident victims throughout Oregon.
  • Personalized Attention: You’ll work directly with your attorney—not just paralegals or case managers.
  • No Fee Unless We Win: We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Pendleton

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Pendleton or surrounding areas, take these steps to protect your health and legal rights:

  1. Seek immediate medical attention – Even if you feel “okay,” some injuries take days to manifest symptoms.
  2. Report the accident to law enforcement and obtain a copy of the police report.
  3. Document everything – Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, your injuries, and gather contact information for witnesses.
  4. Avoid giving statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with a lawyer.
  5. Keep all evidence related to your accident and injuries, including medical records, correspondence with insurance companies, and receipts for expenses.
  6. Contact an experienced Pendleton truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Free Consultation with a Pendleton Truck Accident Attorney

The aftermath of a truck accident can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Hess Injury Law in Pendleton, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process, from investigation to settlement or trial.

Our dedicated team will:

  • Thoroughly investigate your accident
  • Identify all responsible parties
  • Gather and preserve critical evidence
  • Handle all communications with insurance companies
  • Consult with medical experts about your injuries
  • Calculate the full value of your damages
  • Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement
  • Take your case to trial if necessary

Don’t let trucking companies and their insurers deny you the compensation you deserve. Contact our Pendleton office today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Remember, you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Your road to recovery starts here. Call Hess Injury Law today and let our experienced Pendleton truck accident lawyers fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.