Portland Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Law Firm Ready To Fight For You

Every day, thousands of commercial trucks travel through Portland, moving freight along Interstate 5, Interstate 84, Interstate 205, and the roads connecting the Port of Portland to destinations across the Pacific Northwest. Most complete their routes safely, but when a fully loaded tractor-trailer is involved in a collision, the consequences are often catastrophic. A moment of driver fatigue, an improperly loaded trailer, or a trucking company that failed to follow federal safety regulations can leave victims facing life-changing injuries, overwhelming medical expenses, and an uncertain future.

At D’Amore Law Group, we understand the pain, financial stress, and worry that you and your family are experiencing in the immediate aftermath of a semi-truck crash or accident. Large commercial trucks or semi-trucks are undeniably one of the most hazardous motor vehicles traveling on Oregon roads. The days and weeks following a trucking accident are often filled with grief, staggering medical bills, and lasting changes in your quality of life and the quality of life of a family member.

If you need an experienced truck accident attorney in Portland, the team at D’Amore Law Group is ready to put decades of trial experience to work for you. We will develop a legal strategy tailored to the facts of your case and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Call us today at 503-222-6333 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

Tom D’Amore is one of the few NBTA board-certified truck accident attorneys residing in the Pacific Northwest.

The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of trial advocacy and aiding consumers in their selection of experienced legal representation. To become board-certified, an attorney must meet substantial professional requirements and undergo a peer review process. The organization is led by a board of directors of noted trial lawyers, law professors, and judges. In the Pacific Northwest, Tom D’Amore is one of the few attorneys who holds certification in truck accident law and maintains offices within the region.

Tom D’Amore is board-certified with the Academy of Truck Accident Lawyers.

The Truck Accident Law Board Certification by the ATAA (Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys) is the first and only board certification in Truck Accident Law in the country that is accredited by the American Bar Association. The certification, which is in partnership with NBTA, is designed to help consumers choose a qualified truck accident lawyer with objectively verifiable credentials. To become certified in Truck Accident Law, lawyers will have to demonstrate a substantial percentage of their practice is in trucking litigation, show hands-on experience in multiple truck accident cases and pass a comprehensive written exam.

D’Amore Law Group has the highest semi-trucking accident verdict in Oregon.

D’Amore Law Group obtained a $26.4 million jury verdict in a semi-truck accident case involving wrongful death and catastrophic injuries, making it the highest trucking verdict in Oregon.

With over 30 years of experience and over 2,000 cases handled, D’Amore Law Group has the knowledge and resources to fight insurance companies. Tom D’Amore is one of the few resident Board-Certified trucking attorneys in the Pacific Northwest by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Tom treats each one of his clients with compassion, care, and zealous representation.

Oregon Truck Accident Statistics

Commercial trucks are essential to Oregon’s economy, transporting goods throughout Portland and across major freight corridors such as Interstate 5 (I-5), Interstate 84 (I-84), and Interstate 205 (I-205). Unfortunately, when collisions involving these large vehicles occur, the consequences are often catastrophic because of the tremendous size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles.

Recent data from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) demonstrates that truck crashes remain a significant safety concern throughout Oregon. In 2024, the state recorded 1,696 crashes involving large trucks, including 59 fatal crashes that resulted in 73 deaths and 488 reported injuries. While these figures fluctuate from year to year, they consistently highlight the serious risks associated with collisions involving commercial motor vehicles. That same year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported Oregon has the 8th highest traffic fatality rate in the country, with 1.44 roadway deaths for every 100 million miles traveled.

Potential Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

The commercial trucking industry is a cornerstone of the modern economy and impacts our daily life. From the goods we purchase at stores to the gas we put in our cars, the majority of products used around the country are transported by semi-trucks. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of trucking entities engage in sound business safety practices when it comes to maintaining their vehicles and supervising their drivers’ work activity. There are, however, instances where some trucking corporations look to take short-cuts that result in reckless driving practices, inadequate training, and sub-par maintenance that increase the chances of an accident occurring. Common causes of trucking accidents can include:

• Driver Fatigue: Drivers employed by commercial trucking corporations often face pressure from their employers to make their deliveries in a short time-frame. Although Oregon statutes impose a cap on the number of hours a semi-truck driver can operate a vehicle at a given time, those regulations are often violated in an effort to meet deadlines. Extended time behind the wheel can lead to fatigue and exhaustion for the driver. It may get to the point where their reaction time is drastically affected, or they even fall asleep while driving – putting themselves and those driving around them in danger.
• Distracted Driving and Inadequate Training: Some truck drivers engage in “Road Rage” – reckless driving practices such as illegal passing, tailgating, vulgar gestures, breaking the speed limit, or driving under the influence of medicine, drugs, or alcohol. Others may not have undergone the requisite training to become certified to operate commercial trucking vehicles. Nearly 33% of all drivers of large trucks implicated in fatal accidents had at least one prior speeding conviction on their record. This is compared to less than 20% of passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal collisions.
• Improper Maintenance: Oregon truck accidents are often caused simply due to the inherently large size of the 18-wheelers, which have wide blind-spots where the driver is unable to see other vehicles when turning or changing lanes. Additionally, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a fully-loaded tractor-trailer takes anywhere from 20-40% farther to stop than an average automobile. These risk factors can be exacerbated if the trucking company fails to exercise reasonable care in maintaining its equipment.

After a semi-truck accident, your recovery should be your priority—let us handle the legal battle. Contact D’Amore Law Group for skilled, compassionate representation.

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Just as there are multiple potential causes of semi-truck accidents, there are also a number of parties who may be potentially liable for the accident as well. This includes the individual truck driver whose negligence led to the collision; the company or organization that employed the truck driver; the entity who manufactured the truck, attached trailer, the trucking equipment, or aftermarket addition; the broker that arranged the transport; the governmental organization that made a road design error; or an additional truck driver or automobile driver whose negligence caused or contributed to the collision.

The dedicated Portland truck accident attorneys at D’Amore Law Group thoroughly understand the state and federal regulations applicable to the trucking industry. We will conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances that resulted in the trucking accident, in order to bring the negligent party to justice, so that you can fully focus on the recovery process.

Oregon’s Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit

After a serious truck accident, your focus is naturally on your recovery, not legal deadlines. However, Oregon law limits the amount of time you have to pursue compensation. Under Oregon Revised Statute 12.110, most personal injury lawsuits arising from truck accidents must be filed within two years of the date of the crash.

Although two years may sound like plenty of time, commercial truck accident cases often require extensive investigation long before that deadline arrives. Critical evidence such as electronic logging data, onboard computer information, maintenance records, dispatch communications, and surveillance footage may be lost or overwritten if steps are not taken to preserve it.

Certain claims may also involve different deadlines or procedural requirements. For example, accidents involving government-owned vehicles or public entities may require additional notices before a lawsuit can proceed, while wrongful death claims and cases involving injured minors may involve different legal considerations.

Because every trucking case is unique, speaking with a Portland truck accident lawyer as soon as possible allows your truck accident attorney in Portland to preserve evidence, identify liable parties, and protect your right to pursue compensation before important deadlines expire.

What Happens After You Hire a Truck Accident Attorney in Portland

Many people know they need a Portland truck accident attorney after a serious truck accident but have no idea what happens next. Commercial trucking cases are significantly more complex than ordinary car accident claims because they often involve federal regulations, multiple insurance companies, and extensive technical evidence. 

At D’Amore Law Group, we guide clients through every stage of the process.

Step 1: Immediate Investigation

We begin by gathering available evidence, including police reports, witness statements, photographs, surveillance footage, and accident scene documentation. Early investigation often uncovers evidence that would otherwise disappear.

Step 2: Preserve Critical Evidence

Commercial trucking companies possess valuable evidence that may not remain available indefinitely. We promptly send preservation letters requesting that important records—including electronic logging device (ELD) data, engine control module (ECM or “black box”) information, dash camera footage, driver qualification files, maintenance records, inspection reports, and dispatch communications—be preserved.

Step 3: Review Federal Safety Compliance

Unlike ordinary automobile cases, trucking companies must comply with numerous safety regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). We review driver qualification files, hours-of-service (HOS) compliance, inspection records, maintenance history, and other documentation to determine whether safety violations contributed to the collision.

Step 4: Build and Negotiate Your Claim

Once we understand the full extent of your injuries and damages, we negotiate aggressively with insurers using the evidence gathered throughout our investigation. Because trucking companies often carry substantial insurance policies, these negotiations frequently involve multiple insurers and defense attorneys.

Step 5: Prepare for Trial If Necessary

While many claims resolve through settlement, we prepare every case as though it will proceed to trial. Thorough preparation strengthens negotiations and positions our clients for the best possible outcome if litigation becomes necessary.

Multiple Parties May Be Responsible for a Portland Truck Accident

Unlike most passenger vehicle collisions, truck accident cases frequently involve more than one negligent party. Identifying every responsible party is an essential part of maximizing the compensation available after a catastrophic collision.

Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend beyond the truck driver to include:

• The trucking company or motor carrier,
• The owner of the tractor or trailer,
• Cargo loading companies,
• Maintenance and repair contractors,
• Truck or component manufacturers,
• Freight brokers or logistics companies, and
• Shippers responsible for improperly loaded cargo.

For example, a fatigued driver may have violated federal hours-of-service regulations, while the trucking company simultaneously failed to monitor those violations or encouraged unrealistic delivery schedules. In another case, improperly secured cargo may have shifted during transit because a third-party loading company failed to follow industry standards. Mechanical failures may also involve negligent maintenance providers or defective truck components.

Commercial trucking operations often involve several businesses working together, each carrying separate insurance policies. Our attorneys carefully investigate every aspect of the collision to determine who may share responsibility and pursue compensation from every available source.

Federal Regulations Can Play a Critical Role in Truck Accident Cases

Commercial trucking companies operate under extensive federal safety regulations that do not apply to ordinary passenger vehicles. Many truck accident investigations focus on whether these regulations were followed before the collision occurred.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes nationwide rules governing driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, inspections, cargo securement, drug and alcohol testing, and maximum driving hours.

For example, hours-of-service regulations limit how long commercial drivers may operate before taking mandatory rest breaks. Most commercial vehicles are also equipped with electronic logging devices that electronically record driving time and help investigators determine whether fatigue may have contributed to the crash.

Other important evidence may include information stored within the truck’s engine control module or “black box.” Black box data may reveal vehicle speed, braking activity, throttle position, and other operational information immediately before impact.

Many interstate carriers operating throughout Oregon are also regulated through Oregon’s Motor Carrier Transportation Division (MCTD), making compliance with both state and federal requirements an important part of a comprehensive investigation.

Portland Truck Accident Hotspots

Portland serves as one of the Pacific Northwest’s busiest freight transportation hubs. Every day, thousands of commercial trucks travel through the region transporting goods between Oregon, Washington, California, and the rest of the country.

As a result, serious truck accidents frequently occur along heavily traveled freight corridors such as Interstate 5 (I-5), Interstate 84 (I-84), and Interstate 205 (I-205). Congested merging traffic, construction zones, and frequent lane changes create dangerous conditions for passenger vehicles sharing the road with fully loaded commercial trucks.

Additional truck traffic is common throughout the Columbia Corridor, the industrial areas surrounding the Port of Portland, and major commercial routes such as Barbur Boulevard, Columbia Boulevard, and Marine Drive. These areas often experience high volumes of tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, and other commercial vehicles serving warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers.

While truck accidents can occur anywhere, understanding the unique traffic patterns and commercial transportation routes throughout the Portland metropolitan area often provides valuable context during an accident investigation.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Portland Truck Accident?

Because commercial truck accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries, the financial consequences often extend well beyond immediate medical expenses. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover compensation for both your economic and noneconomic losses.

Economic damages may include:

• Past and future medical expenses,
• Rehabilitation and therapy,
• Lost wages,
• Loss of future earning capacity,
• Property damage, and
• Other documented financial losses.

Noneconomic damages compensate victims for losses that cannot be measured through receipts or invoices alone, including:

• Physical pain and suffering,
• Emotional distress,
• Permanent disability,
• Loss of enjoyment of life, and
• Disfigurement.

In limited circumstances involving particularly egregious misconduct—such as intentionally falsified safety records, extreme recklessness, or other extraordinary conduct—Oregon law may also permit punitive damages under ORS 31.730. Although punitive damages are awarded only in exceptional cases, they are designed to punish especially dangerous behavior and discourage similar misconduct in the future.

Recent Results Obtained By Our 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Oregon

• $26 million verdict from an Oregon federal jury against two transportation companies and their drivers for their prolonged bout of “road rage” with one another that caused a head-on accident with a car, killing a 30-year old woman and severely injuring her 27-year old husband.
• $22 million result for a family after an out-of-control tanker truck killed a young boy and his father.
• $3.99 million result after a semi-truck driver rear-ended a woman’s vehicle, causing fatal injuries to the mother of two.
• $3.25 million result for a 27-year-old pedestrian who suffered brain injuries after being struck by an intoxicated truck driver.

Every truck accident is different, and accurately calculating damages often requires evaluating both the immediate and long-term impact of your injuries.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Semi-Truck Accident

Trucks with two or three trailers weighing in excess of 80,000 pounds and measuring up to 75 feet in length are a common sight along Oregon’s I-5 and I-84 highways. The sheer size of these vehicles makes this type of accident particularly devastating for the parties involved. While these events are understandably traumatic and stressful, the actions you take in the immediate aftermath can significantly impact your future legal options and ability to recover the damages you are entitled to. If you find yourself involved in an accident with a semi-truck, follow the steps outlined below to maximize your chances for recovery:

Obtain Competent and Experienced Legal Counsel: Trucking accidents can be complex and pose unique legal challenges. They commonly involve serious injuries and significant property damage while implicating a variety of federal and state laws. Additionally, negotiating with insurance company representatives (whose primary role is to limit liability and minimize the damages paid to injured parties) requires a strategic approach and willingness to go to trial if necessary. Contact our knowledgeable and proven Portland trucking accident lawyer to discuss your case.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Call 911 immediately and seek medical attention for any serious injuries. Due to the severity of the majority of semi-truck accidents, injuries requiring treatment are often obvious. However, many victims fail to recognize the full extent of their injuries. They may not realize until days or weeks later that they or a loved one are experiencing a traumatic brain injury, internal bruising and bleeding, or other latent, less-noticeable injuries as a result of the accident. Thus, you should seek medical treatment beyond the initial assessment you receive at the scene of the crash. This should include a comprehensive medical evaluation by a licensed medical practitioner, physical therapy, surgery, counseling and psychological treatments, and x-rays. Make sure you are completely candid with your physician–downplaying your injuries or pain level will only benefit the insurance company when it comes time to settle. Be sure to keep track of all medical expenditures and bills.

Document Evidence: Obtaining details about the truck driver and their employer is an essential step in building your case. These details should include the other driver’s name and contact information, their license number, insurance information, and their USDOT number. Avoid making any statements regarding fault when obtaining these details from the other party.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who will pay my damages? The trucking company? Who can be held liable in a Portland truck accident—just the driver?

In a typical truck accident claim, it is the driver’s insurance company that pays the claim. Normally, the trucking company cannot be held liable unless the company itself can be said to have caused the accident. If the trucker is an actual employee of the trucking company (a rather unusual case), the trucking company can be held automatically liable for the trucker’s negligence. Truckers are usually heavily insured–the minimum liability limits for truckers required by the Federal Department of Transportation is $750,000.

Q: My child was killed in a truck accident. What are my options?

As a parent, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the trucker or file a claim against his liability insurance policy. The other parent or the child’s grandparents might also be authorized to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Compensation is distributed among close family members, particularly parents. In most cases, the statutory deadline for filing a lawsuit is three years after the accident. Please contact our Portland trucking accident lawyers, we are experienced, empathetic and determined.

Q: What do I have to prove to win my case?

In a negligence case (as most truck accident cases are), you must prove four facts to win:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care. This is easy to prove since all drivers have this duty.
• The defendant breached his duty of care. He may have violated a traffic law, for example, followed you too closely, or violated a trucking regulation.
• The defendant’s breach of duty was a substantial cause of the accident.
• You suffered personal injury and/or property damages as a result of the trucker’s breach of duty.

Q: What are some possible defenses that might be raised?

Many possible defenses might be raised, depending on the exact circumstances of the accident. The defendant or the insurance company might, for example, assert that:

• The accident was your fault, or partly your fault.
• The statute of limitations deadline for filing a lawsuit has already expired.
• The accident did not cause your injury (it was pre-existing, for example).

If you or someone you love has been affected by a semi-truck accident, it is important to realize that there is simply too much on the line to trust your case with anyone other than a dedicated legal team with a proven track record of obtaining results. The trucking accident lawyers at D’Amore Law Group offer zealous representation at all stages of your case so you can rest assured that your legal rights will be protected.

Q: How is a truck accident case different from a regular car accident case?

Truck accident cases are considerably more complex than ordinary automobile collisions. In addition to Oregon law, commercial carriers must comply with federal safety regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Investigations often involve electronic logging device (ELD) records, engine control module (ECM) data, driver qualification files, maintenance records, and hours-of-service (HOS) compliance. Multiple insurance companies and corporate defendants are also common, making experienced legal representation especially important.

Q: What compensation can I recover after a truck accident in Portland?

Depending on your injuries and the circumstances of the collision, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, property damage, and pain and suffering. In limited cases involving particularly reckless or intentional misconduct, Oregon law may also allow punitive damages. A truck accident attorney in Portland can evaluate both your current losses and the long-term financial impact of your injuries to pursue the full compensation available under the law.

Contact our Experienced Construction Truck Accident Law Firm

Before signing any papers presented to you by insurance companies, seek advice from experienced legal counsel. The attorneys at D’Amore Law Group will thoroughly examine your case to ensure you pursue all available avenues of recovery. Otherwise, you could be signing away your legal rights and adequate compensation for your injuries and losses. Meet one of our Portland truck accident lawyers for a free consultation in one of our offices. Contact us today.

Our highly-skilled attorneys also handle other types of personal injury cases as well, including:

• Catastrophic Injury
• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bus Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Medication Errors
• Construction Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Medical Malpractice
• Sexual Abuse
• Nursing Home Abuse
• Bad Faith Insurance
• Birth Injuries
• Product Liability
• Spinal Cord and Head Injury

Call our Portland personal injury lawyers or visit us online. Our law firm will fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

Legal References Used to Inform This Page

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – Regulations 

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) – 2024 Traffic Crashes Quick Facts 

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – Fatality Facts 2024

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – Driving Tips: Following too closely

Oregon Revised Statute 12.110 – Statute of limitations

Our highly-skilled attorneys also handle other types of personal injury cases as well, including:

• Catastrophic Injury
• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bus Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Medication Errors
• Construction Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Medical Malpractice
• Sexual Abuse
• Nursing Home Abuse
• Bad Faith Insurance
• Birth Injuries
• Product Liability
• Spinal Cord and Head Injury

Call our Portland personal injury lawyers or visit us online. Our law firm will fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.