Portland 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Information

Semi truck, tractor trailer and 18-wheeler accidents are common occurrences on Portland roads and highways. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people die as a result of 18-wheeler accidents and big rig collisions in the United States each year with a substantial number of 18-wheeler truck accidents occurring in Portland, Maine, every day. Due to the high population and highly congested traffic throughout Portland’s sprawling metropolis, the city of Portland unfortunately has its fair share of big rig truck accidents. In 2009, the U.S. Census estimated Portland’s population to be at 2.3 million people within an area of 579 square miles. With Portland being the fourth largest city in the United States and the largest city in the State of Maine, 18-wheeler accidents and semi truck crashes on Portland highways are inevitable.

Portland’s freeway system, which is made up of 739.3 miles of freeways and expressways in a ten-county metropolitan area, uses a hub-and-spoke freeway structure serviced by multiple loops. The innermost loop is Interstate 610, which encircles Portland’s downtown, the medical center, and many core neighborhoods with about a 10-mile diameter. The automobile is still the most common form of transportation in Portland, with approximately 71.7% of its residents driving to work alone each day.

Portland 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

Due to the sheer weight difference of a car versus the weight of an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, accidents that involve commercial vehicles often times result in severe injuries or even death. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, one can easily see how much more dangerous commercial vehicles like an 18 wheeler can be. That is why if you are injured by a semi truck or commercial vehicle in Portland, it is important that you choose an experienced Portland 18-wheeler accident attorney who knows the truck regulations and laws both nationally and for the State of Maine.

Commercial vehicles go by different names such as:

1. Truck
2. 18 Wheeler
3. Lowboy
4. Flatbed
5. Semi

Portland truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Portland streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Portland happen along the major Portland highways, which include the  I-295, SH-25, and US-1.

Types of Trucks

The following trucks do specific things and carry certain types of cargo:

1. Flat bed trucks
2. Tanker trucks
3. Refrigerated trucks
4. Bob-Tail Trucks
5. Logging trucks

Buses are also considered commercial vehicles as well, but as a rule do not haul cargo. Instead a bus is a transportation vehicle that carries children or adults such as a school bus or commercial bus like Greyhound. School bus accidents or commercial bus accidents are common on Portland roads and freeways. The causes may vary, but often times the accident is a result of hazardous road conditions or driver negligence.

It is essential to hire a Portland bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

1. Portland city buses;
2. transportation buses such as Greyhound;
3. shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Portland International Airport or Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport; and/or,
4. Concord Coach Lines accidents that occur running back and forth from Highland Lake.

The ways Portland truck accidents happen occur are too numerous to list. Blind spots, rear-ends, sideswipes, head-ons, load overturns, jack-knifes are all possible and can result in fatal wrongful death truck accidents.

If you live in Portland and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in one of these courts:

Cumberland County District Court - Portland
205 Newbury Street, PO Box 412, Portland, ME 04112
(207) 822-4200

Cumberland County Superior Court - Portland
142 Federal St, PO Box 287, Portland, ME 04112
(207) 822-4109

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Portland and Surrounding Cities

erving clients throughout Southwestern Maine, including Appleton, Augusta, Bath, Belfast, Bethel, Biddleford, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Camden, Clinton, Dover, East Harpswell, Farmington, Gardiner, Gray, Harrison, Hiram, Jay, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Lisbon, Litchfield Corners, Naples, Newport, Oxford, Pittsfield, Portland, Portsmouth, Raymond, Richmond, Rochester, Rockland, Rumford, Sanford, Skowhegan, South Paris, St. George, Standish, Union, Vassalboro, Waterville, Wells Beach, Winthrop, Wiscasset, York Beach, areas in the vicinity of Portland International Airport, and other communities in Cumberland County.

Portland 18-wheeler accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Portland 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Types of Trucks

Hiring a Portland 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Portland, Maine, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Portland 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and Maine state laws regarding trucking regulations. Portland, located in Cumberland County, is the largest city in Maine with extensive roadways and congested freeways due to its high population. Therefore, it is not uncommon for truck collisions, wrecks, crashes and injuries to occur due to the high amount of traffic. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Southwest Maine truck accident, contact a qualified Portland semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Portland & Maine Professional Associations

In addition to selecting a qualified Portland personal injury lawyer who regularly handles Portland area truck accident cases, you should also check out the lawyers credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of the Portland Trial Lawyers Association or of the American Association of Justice (AAJ)?

All states have bar associations. Some are mandatory, or "unified," and some are not. In other words, if the bar association is unified, then a lawyer must be a member to practice law in that jurisdiction. On the other hand, if the bar association is voluntary, then a lawyer does not have to be a member. However, there are usually many benefits to being a member of a bar association and being a member is just one aspect that you may wish to consider in selecting your lawyer. The Maine Bar Association is a voluntary bar association. A Portland truck accident attorney may choose at his or her own discretion whether or not to join the state bar association in order to practice in the State of Maine.

Portland semi-truck injury lawyers may also join other professional organizations, such as:

• Maine State Bar Association
• Maine Trial Lawyers Association
• American Association of Justice

The Portland Bar Association  is a nonprofit professional association of lawyers with nearly 12,000 members. It is the fifth largest bar association in the nation. The Portland Bar Association provides educational and professional development services for both the legal profession and the Portland community.

Big Rig Accidents Can Be Devastating

When a negligent truck driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their semi tractor-trailer, any driver traveling near them is at risk for serious injury or death. The consequences of an 18-wheeler truck a crash along a Portland intersection, avenue, or freeway can be devastating, often resulting in very serious injuries that can even lead to death. The sheer force of a speeding 18-wheeler truck is a dangerous weapon that can forever change your life. Under the law if you are involved in such a wreck or an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck accident in Portland, ME or Cumberland County, it is in your best interest to contact a Portland big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

Portland 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Cumberland County, ME

When a truck accident occurs and a lawsuit is subsequently filed, the decision of where to file it is called “choice of venue.” The venue chosen can have legal consequences that affect the outcome of your case. Generally, venue in a truck accident case is proper in any of the following locations:

1. the county wherein the accident occurred;
2. the county wherein the defendant company’s principal place of business is located; or,
3. the county wherein the defendant truck driver resides.

Even though your accident may have occurred in Portland, the truck company and truck driver will often be from a different state. This is because trucking companies frequently operate in states other than where they are registered. In these cases, the venue where the lawsuit may be filed could be the state where the truck accident occurred, the state where the trucking company is located, or even the state where the trucking company regularly does business, if different. For example, the accident may have occurred in Portland, Maine, therefore making venue proper in Cumberland County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Portland tractor trailer lawyer to decide what the best venue would be in a case like this that crosses state lines.

Some of the courts in the Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, areas include:

Cumberland County Superior Court - Portland
142 Federal St, PO Box 287, Portland, ME 04112
(207) 822-4109

Cumberland County District Court - Bridgton
3 Chase Common 2, Bridgton, ME 04009
(207) 647-3535

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Portland and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Southwestern Maine, including Appleton, Augusta, Bath, Belfast, Bethel, Biddleford, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Camden, Clinton, Dover, East Harpswell, Farmington, Gardiner, Gray, Harrison, Hiram, Jay, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Lisbon, Litchfield Corners, Naples, Newport, Oxford, Pittsfield, Portland, Portsmouth, Raymond, Richmond, Rochester, Rockland, Rumford, Sanford, Skowhegan, South Paris, St. George, Standish, Union, Vassalboro, Waterville, Wells Beach, Winthrop, Wiscasset, York Beach, areas in the vicinity of Portland International Airport, and other communities in Cumberland County.

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Portland 18-wheeler accident lawyer is essential if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck collision. Contact a big rig accident lawyer today to ensure you receive expert representation from an attorney who knows how to handle your case.

Types of Trucks on Portland Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Portland, Maine. Trucking companies in Portland offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Portland trucking companies deal with courier and small package delivery as well. Some companies offer bicycle couriers for downtown Metro areas and will also use an assortment of vehicles ranging from cars, vans and pick-up trucks to large tractor-trailers and bobtail trucks.

Types of Trucks Used By Portland Trucking Companies:

• 18 Wheeler
• Semi Truck
• Tractor Trailer
• Big Rig
• Semi Trailer
• Box Truck
• Straight Truck
• Flatbed Truck
• Stake Truck
• Bobtail Truck

Be sure to insist on the highest levels of safety by selecting a reputable Portland trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a Portland Truck Accident Lawyer

In many cases, Portland 18-wheeler accident attorneys must retain the services of scientific and medical experts to prove both the cause of the accident and the cause of your injuries. Additionally, a qualified semi truck accident lawyer will obtain all kinds of evidence concerning the scene of the crash, truck logs, and other important information to be used against the trucker, trucking company, or the company’s insurer. Arranging expert witness testimony and preparing important physical and documentary evidence is just one of many ways a Portland tractor trailer injury lawyer can help you after you’ve suffered a truck accident injury from a major 18-wheeler truck wreck.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious box truck wreck, semi crash or big rig accident, hiring a lawyer is the farthest thing from your mind when tragedy such as this strikes you, a family member, or a friend. However, this is when you need a Portland truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Portland truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Portland tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

Portland Trucking Companies

Following is a list of trucking companies based in Portland, Maine. Services offered include container drayage, loose freight drayage, overweight loads, bonded moves, same day delivery.

Truck Accident Attorneys Serve Portland and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Southwestern Maine, including Appleton, Augusta, Bath, Belfast, Bethel, Biddleford, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Camden, Clinton, Dover, East Harpswell, Farmington, Gardiner, Gray, Harrison, Hiram, Jay, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Lisbon, Litchfield Corners, Naples, Newport, Oxford, Pittsfield, Portland, Portsmouth, Raymond, Richmond, Rochester, Rockland, Rumford, Sanford, Skowhegan, South Paris, St. George, Standish, Union, Vassalboro, Waterville, Wells Beach, Winthrop, Wiscasset, York Beach, areas in the vicinity of Portland International Airport, and other communities in Cumberland County.

Portland truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Portland truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Portlamd Truck Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Truck Drivers

Truck drivers who operate an 18-wheeler truck or big rig on the busy roads and highways of Portland such as I-295, can become injured when a major commercial vehicle collision occurs. Truckers often say, “Ride with me for just one day and you will see what it is like ‘out there’…it’s not always the trucker’s fault…”

It is not uncommon to see a big rig wreck, semi crash or major accident involving semi truck drivers in Portland, ME. Portland’s freeway system, which is made up of 739.3 miles of freeways and expressways in a ten-county metropolitan area, uses a hub-and-spoke freeway structure which is serviced by multiple loops. The danger of an 18-wheeler truck accident is not just confined to injured people in automobiles, but can end up injuring the truck driver affecting their livelihood and family’s livelihood as well as the automobile driver. So, when a Portland 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer is contacted, be it by an automobile driver who has been injured or a truck driver that has been injured at the dangerous hands of another, you will need an expert Portland truck injury lawyer to fight for your rights.

The Semi Truck Driver is Not Always at Fault

When an 18-wheeler is moving down a Portland road or highway, such as I-295, SH-25, or US-1 at high speeds, it is nearly unstoppable and can easily turn a motorist’s everyday commute into a lethal situation. Although a passenger car is lightweight, in comparison, and can easily maneuver in and out of lanes on Portland highways, it is no match for a big rig truck. If the two vehicles are unable to avoid a collision, wreck or crash, the driver of the passenger car will be lucky to escape with their life.

A driver of a passenger vehicle could easily be killed as a result of  veering out of his lane and then smashing into a tractor trailer truck let’s say on the U.S. 59 Southwest Freeway which is just under the beltway in Portland.  If the trucker tried to avoid hitting the passenger car but was unable to avoid the wreck or crash, then this would be a case where the accident was caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle and therefore the trucker would not be at fault.

Truck Driver Facts

• Two of your fellow truck drivers die each day in accidents
• 33,000 people driving large trucks are injured each year
• 6.3% of U.S. truck drivers are injured each year.

Injured Truckers Need Legal Representation

A qualified Portland 18-wheeler accident attorney should offer a free case review. If they decide to take on your legal matter, they should not require an up-front fee. Truckers with a trucking injury claim are generally taken on a contingency fee basis. In other words, your Portland truck accident attorney is only paid if you receive compensation for your injuries.

Injured Truckers Need to Know Their Rights

As a trucker, you have rights you need to be aware of. It is not uncommon for aggressive insurance companies to contact you shortly after the accident in an effort to try to get you to settle quickly and convince you that you want the matter to go away. In many cases, injuries are not so quick to heal. Many times the injuries can be permanent, long-lasting, and career-threatening. That is why you need a competent Portland truck accident lawyer that is not only prepared to mediate a resolution, but also prepared to take your case to court.

When Negligence Changes a Trucker’s Life

Qualified Portland truck accident lawyers know exactly how to provide nationwide representation for truckers injured in trucking accidents caused by a variety of negligent acts and mechanical malfunctions, including:

• Rear-end, Head-On Crashes and Jackknives
• Poor Maintenance, including Tires and Brakes
• Driver Fatigue
• Unsecured Loads
• Aggressive Driving
• DWI/Drug Use
• Lack of Reflectors and Poor Visibility

Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, litigation can be very complex. Hiring a semi truck accident attorney who specializes in the numerous trucking laws throughout the United States is essential for a successful verdict outcome. For more information about trucking laws or to schedule an appointment with an experienced commercial truck injury lawyer, contact a truck injury attorney today.

When an 18 Wheeler accident occurs, your Portland truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In Portland, Maine, one truck driving school is  Patriot Taxi Service & Transportation, Po Box 4691, Portland, ME 04112, although there are many others throughout the country. See the Nationwide List of Accredited CDL Schools for a more comprehensive list.

Truck Accident Attorneys for Injured Truckers Serve Portland and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Southwestern Maine, including Appleton, Augusta, Bath, Belfast, Bethel, Biddleford, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Camden, Clinton, Dover, East Harpswell, Farmington, Gardiner, Gray, Harrison, Hiram, Jay, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Lisbon, Litchfield Corners, Naples, Newport, Oxford, Pittsfield, Portland, Portsmouth, Raymond, Richmond, Rochester, Rockland, Rumford, Sanford, Skowhegan, South Paris, St. George, Standish, Union, Vassalboro, Waterville, Wells Beach, Winthrop, Wiscasset, York Beach, areas in the vicinity of Portland International Airport, and other communities in Cumberland County.

Portland truck accident attorneys for injured truckers are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Portland 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.