Interstate 5 through Salem and Keizer is one of the busiest freight corridors on the West Coast. Semi trucks, log trucks and delivery vehicles share the road with commuters every day on I-5, Highway 22, Highway 99E and River Road. When an 80,000-pound truck collides with a passenger car, the results are often devastating.
Truck accident claims are very different from regular car accident claims. More parties may be responsible, federal rules apply, and the trucking company's insurer usually starts building its defense within hours. This guide explains what Salem and Keizer truck accident victims need to know.
Key Takeaways
- Truck crashes often involve multiple liable parties: the driver, trucking company, cargo loader, maintenance company or manufacturer
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules govern driver hours, inspections and maintenance
- Critical evidence like electronic logging device data and dashcam footage can disappear quickly
- Commercial trucks typically carry much higher insurance limits than passenger cars
- Your own Oregon PIP still pays your medical bills first
Why Truck Accidents Are Different
Size and weight
A fully loaded semi can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car. Stopping distances are much longer, and impacts cause more severe injuries.
Federal regulations
Commercial truck drivers and companies must follow FMCSA rules on hours of service, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle inspections, cargo securement and driver qualifications. Violations can be powerful evidence of negligence.
Multiple defendants
Unlike a typical car crash with one at-fault driver, a truck accident may involve:
- The truck driver for distracted, fatigued or impaired driving
- The trucking company for unsafe schedules, poor training or negligent hiring
- The cargo loader for overloaded or unbalanced cargo
- The maintenance company for faulty brakes or tires
- The manufacturer for defective parts
Aggressive defense
Trucking companies and their insurers often send investigators to the scene immediately. They are protecting their interests, not yours.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents Near Salem and Keizer
- Driver fatigue from long hauls on I-5
- Following too closely in stop-and-go traffic near the Kuebler, Market Street and Chemawa interchanges
- Unsafe lane changes and blind spot ("no zone") collisions
- Speeding on wet roads during Oregon's rainy season
- Wide right turns on city streets
