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February 21st, 2026
When a serious truck accident happens on I-84 or anywhere else in Eastern Oregon, the trucking company’s response team often arrives before you’ve even left in the ambulance. That’s not an exaggeration.
These companies have systems in place that activate within minutes of a crash—and it’s not because they’re concerned about your wellbeing.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident near Hermiston, understanding what happens behind the scenes can help you protect yourself and your claim. At Hess Injury Law, we’ve seen how quickly trucking companies move to protect their interests, and we want you to know what to expect.
Most commercial trucking companies have accident response teams on standby. When a serious crash occurs, these teams get to work immediately.
We’re talking about investigators arriving at the scene within hours—sometimes while law enforcement is still documenting the accident.
When these investigators arrive, they’re collecting evidence that might help the trucking company’s case later:
• Photos of the accident scene from multiple angles
• Measurements and vehicle positions
• Witness statements and contact information
• Road condition documentation
• Damage assessment to the truck and trailer
• Black box data from the truck’s electronic systems
Here’s the thing: these investigators aren’t working for you. They’re working for the trucking company and its insurance carrier. Their job is to find ways to minimize the company’s liability or shift blame away from their driver.
One of the biggest concerns after a truck accident is the preservation of evidence. Trucking companies are required to maintain certain records, but these records don’t stick around forever.
Without quick action to preserve this evidence, it can be deleted, lost, or simply disappear. That’s why having an experienced attorney involved early makes such a difference.
Commercial trucks operating on highways like I-84 are required to carry significant liability insurance—anywhere from $750,000 to $5 million, depending on what they’re hauling.
That’s a lot of money at stake, which is why insurance companies take truck accidents very seriously.
You might get a call from an insurance adjuster surprisingly soon after your accident. They’ll sound friendly and concerned. They might even offer you what seems like a reasonable settlement right away.
This is a strategy.
Early settlement offers are almost always far less than what your case is actually worth. Insurance adjusters know that if they can get you to settle quickly—before you’ve fully understood the extent of your injuries or consulted with an attorney—they can save their company significant money.
When the insurance company contacts you, they have specific goals:
• Get recorded statements they can use to minimize your claim
• Find inconsistencies in your story
• Obtain signed medical releases to search your health history
• Get you to settle fast and cheap
Important: You have no legal obligation to give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance carrier. You don’t have to sign anything they send you. And you definitely don’t have to accept their first offer.
Unlike a typical car accident, truck crashes in Hermiston and Eastern Oregon often involve multiple parties—and that means multiple insurance companies.
You might be dealing with separate insurers for:
• The truck cab
• The trailer
• The cargo
• The driver (if they’re an independent contractor)
This creates a situation where insurance companies start pointing fingers at each other, each trying to pass the blame. Meanwhile, you’re stuck in the middle trying to recover from serious injuries while the bills pile up.
Make no mistake: from the moment a serious accident happens, the trucking company and its legal team are building their defense.
They’re not waiting to see if you file a claim. They’re preparing for the possibility of a lawsuit, even if you haven’t thought that far ahead yet.
• Blaming road or weather conditions instead of their driver
• Claiming you were speeding or driving distracted
• Suggesting your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim
• Pointing to pre-existing conditions
• Arguing you’re partially or fully at fault for the crash
In Eastern Oregon, we see these tactics all the time, especially on stretches of I-84 where weather conditions or road design might provide alternative explanations for how an accident happened.
The trucking company is moving fast:
• Their investigators are at the scene within hours
• Their insurance adjusters are calling you within days
• Their legal team is preparing their defense from day one
If you wait too long to get legal help, critical evidence can be lost. Witnesses’ memories fade. Physical evidence from the scene disappears. Electronic data gets overwritten. The trucking company has time to shape the narrative in their favor.
That’s not meant to scare you—it’s meant to inform you. The sooner you have someone on your side who knows how trucking companies operate, the better positioned you’ll be to protect your rights and pursue fair compensation.
Get medical attention even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away, and having medical documentation from day one is critical.
• Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and vehicle damage
• Get contact information from witnesses
• Keep copies of police reports and medical records
• Save all correspondence from insurance companies
Don’t give recorded statements to the trucking company’s insurance carrier without talking to an attorney first. Be polite, but firm. You can provide basic information like your name and contact details, but don’t discuss how the accident happened or describe your injuries in detail.
Talk to a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. The right attorney will take immediate action to preserve evidence, deal with insurance companies on your behalf, and make sure you’re not being taken advantage of while you’re focused on recovering from your injuries.
At Hess Injury Law, we understand how trucking companies and their insurance carriers operate after serious accidents. We’ve handled numerous truck accident cases in Hermiston and throughout Eastern Oregon, and we know what it takes to build a strong case.
• Send preservation letters to trucking companies requiring them to save all evidence
• Conduct our own investigation with accident reconstruction experts
• Handle all communication with insurance companies
• Fight for the full compensation you deserve—not just what the insurance company offers
Trucking companies have teams of professionals working to minimize what they pay after an accident. You deserve to have a team working just as hard for you.
The hours and days after a serious truck accident can be overwhelming. You’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, damage to your vehicle, and probably missing work.
The last thing you need is to try to navigate the complex world of commercial trucking litigation on your own.
Trucking companies and their insurers are counting on you not knowing your rights. They’re hoping you’ll accept a low settlement because you don’t understand the full value of your case.
At Hess Injury Law, we’ve been helping injured people in Hermiston and Eastern Oregon for years. We know the tactics trucking companies use, and we know how to counter them.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident, call us. We offer free consultations, and we’ll give you honest advice about your situation.
Don’t let the trucking company’s head start turn into an unfair advantage. Get the help you need to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact Hess Injury Law today for a free consultation.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel.
Peter J. Hess grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. He is a 1996 graduate of Walla Walla High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Washington, with a B.A. in Business Administration/Information Systems.
Peter graduated from Willamette University College of Law, with honors, in 2007. While at Willamette, he was an Associate Editor of the Willamette Law Review, he was a Teacher’s Assistant for a Legal Research and Writing professor, and he worked as a Personal Injury Law Clerk at Swanson, Lathen, Alexander & McCann in Salem, Oregon. After graduation from Willamette, Peter began working here at Hess Injury Law. In 2012, he became a partner in the firm. He is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Oregon.