Any type of traffic accident carries the potential to cause severe damage, physical injuries, or fatalities. Truck accidents are far more likely to result in devastating consequences than accidents involving two standard passenger vehicles. This increase in risk is due in large part to the sheer size, weight, and impact inherent in accidents involving large commercial truck accidents. Though truck accidents can happen in various ways, jackknife truck accidents, in particular, can be unpredictable and dangerous due to the truck driver’s lack of control over the truck during such an accident.
When a large commercial truck loses control on the roadway, the driver of the truck and every other driver and passenger on the road is immediately placed in danger. With the size and weight of such trucks, the injuries that result from jackknife accidents are often devastating and life-altering. Along with the physical effects, the ensuing financial challenges that result from significant medical treatment and potential ongoing rehabilitation can quickly become unbearable. In such situations, having a personal injury lawyer with experience in jackknife truck accidents is critical. Let a skilled truck accident lawyer in Murrieta lead you in the right direction to pursue the financial compensation you need.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a jackknife truck accident that another party caused, you have the right to take legal action to seek fair financial compensation. By working with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can identify the liable party and pursue the resolution you deserve following the harm you have endured. In this article, you will learn more about jackknife truck accidents, their common causes, the types of injuries that commonly result from such accidents, and how to go about seeking a knowledgeable attorney who can represent you in your claim against the responsible party. Contact a truck accident lawyer with experience in jackknife truck accident cases today to schedule a consultation.
Overview of Jackknife Truck Accidents
There are many types of truck accidents, but a jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out from behind the truck at an angle resembling a folding pocket knife. Such accidents happen when a truck driver loses control of the vehicle, causing the trailer to skid to one side or pivot away from the truck. These types of accidents present a particularly significant level of danger, as the jackknife will effectively widen the range of impact, leading to massive crashes with nearby vehicles and other obstacles in the truck’s path — often leaving substantial damage and injuries to those involved in the accident.
Jackknife truck accidents often happen on highways or busy thoroughfares where trucks may be traveling at high speeds before being required to make sudden stops. If a truck’s trailer skids out of control, it can swing into multiple lanes of traffic and create a dangerous situation for other vehicles. Jackknifing can result from various factors, including driver error, inclement weather, mechanical issues, or the actions of other vehicles. Know more about the common causes of jackknife truck accidents, the types of injuries that the victims of such accidents frequently suffer, and how to pursue compensation for the harm you have suffered.
How Do Jackknife Truck Accidents Happen?
As briefly described above, a jackknife truck accident occurs when the trailer swings out from behind the truck’s cab, mimicking a folding pocket knife’s “V” shape. It often happens when the truck’s drive axle brakes lock up, resulting in the trailer skidding and pivoting uncontrollably. If a trailer’s wheels lose traction on the road, it has a tendency to swing out to one side, creating a highly dangerous situation for every vehicle in its path. Knowing how jackknife truck accidents happen can be helpful when putting together the pieces of the accident and forming a strategy with your personal injury attorney to seek compensation.
Jackknife truck accidents present particularly dangerous situations due to the size and weight of the vehicle combined with the widened destructive path created by the “jackknife” of the trailer. Once out of the driver’s control, the truck’s trailer can strike vehicles in adjacent lanes, creating multi-vehicle pile-ups and increasing the likelihood of significant property damage and physical injuries. Understanding the impact of these accidents is vital for anyone involved and their family members who may be left seeking compensation on their behalf.
Impact of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks frequently carry several tons of cargo, creating an imposing and dangerous package when it ends up out of control on the road. While regular traffic collisions often have predictable points of impact and paths of destruction, a jackknife truck accident can substantially increase the range and scope of potential damage. Vehicles caught in the path of the skidding trailer or the truck itself are at significant risk, creating a situation where multiple vehicles can be damaged and the occupants to be severely injured.
Due to the scope of damage often inherent in jackknife truck accidents, the aftermath is usually a chaotic and debris-covered scene. Specialized crews can often be required to clear a path for medical crews and first responders to reach the vehicles and individuals impacted by the crash. It can delay the critical assessment and treatment of injured people. It is also worth noting that smaller vehicles are often at greater risk due to the sheer impact of a larger and much heavier truck and trailer, leaving the occupants of such vehicles vulnerable to more severe injuries.
Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
A jackknife truck accident can be caused by multiple factors compromising the truck’s ability to maneuver safely or the truck driver’s ability to maintain control of the vehicle. Some of the most common causes of jackknife truck accidents include:
- Speeding & Sudden Braking: A large truck moving at a high speed does not have the ability to stop quickly, particularly in situations when the driver is forced to apply the brakes too quickly.
- Inclement Weather: Rain, snow, ice, fog, and other environmental factors can result in slick roadways, poor visibility, and an increased likelihood of trucks having difficulty stopping safely.
- Driver Fatigue & Distraction: Tired or distracted drivers may not have the proper alertness or reaction times needed to respond to sudden changes on the road or the necessity to brake.
- Unbalanced Cargo: Uneven or improperly loaded cargo in the trailer can shift, which can destabilize the trailer and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- Mechanical Failures: Faulty truck brakes, blown tires, and other mechanical problems can create sudden and catastrophic issues for the truck’s ability to drive safely and the driver’s control over the vehicle.
- Hazardous Road Conditions: Bad roads, sharp curves, potholes, or steep inclines can cause truck trailers to swing out of control.
- Inexperienced & Poorly Trained Drivers: Truck drivers who lack experience in carrying heavy loads in various conditions can increase the risk of jackknife accidents.
No matter the cause of the jackknife truck accident you were involved in, you can work with your lawyer to determine who was at fault and how to best proceed in your case.
Common Injuries from Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknife truck accidents commonly result in severe injuries due to the size and impact of the vehicles involved. Common injuries suffered by victims of jackknife truck accidents include:
- Whiplash & Neck Injuries: The violent impact of a truck crash can strain muscles and ligaments in the neck.
- Bone Fractures: Collisions at high speeds can easily result in broken arms, legs, ribs, and other bones.
- Burns & Lacerations: Fire, fuel spills, or broken glass can result in burns or severe cuts to vehicle occupants.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma in traffic accidents can damage internal organs and soft tissues, resulting in internal bleeding that can potentially be life-threatening.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: An injury to the spinal cord can cause chronic pain or paralysis, requiring extensive rehabilitation or long-term care.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Impact on a person’s skull can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, cognitive impairment, and permanent disability.
- Emotional Trauma: Victims of truck accidents can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental challenges.
Many of the injuries listed above require extensive medical treatment, both in the short term and well into the future, leading to mounting medical bills and an increasing financial burden.
Liability in Jackknife Truck Accidents
Determining who the liable party is following a jackknife truck accident can be complicated. In some cases, multiple parties may share different levels of responsibility. Common parties potentially held liable following an accident include:
- Truck Driver: Negligence, impairment, and other factors can make the driver responsible.
- Trucking Company: The company that owns the truck is responsible for properly training the driver and maintaining the truck itself.
- Cargo Loaders: If a truck’s load is improperly secured, it can contribute to an accident.
- Truck Manufacturer: Mechanical failures can potentially be the fault of a poor design or errors in the truck assembly process.
Each party listed above is responsible for keeping trucks safe, well-maintained, and operated correctly out on the road. Your lawyer will examine the details of your accident to determine who the liable party (or parties) may be.
The Importance of Strong Legal Representation
Following a jackknife truck accident, the importance of having strong legal representation cannot be overstressed. From the need to protect your rights to pursuing rightful compensation for the harm you have suffered, having a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney in your corner is critical. The complexity of legal issues requires a highly trained professional with insight into the laws and regulations governing such accidents. You are likely facing a long road of physical recovery and mounting financial difficulties, making your pursuit of compensation even more critical.
A skilled lawyer can help navigate the complicated legal landscape by thoroughly investigating your accident, gathering all available evidence, identifying the liable parties, and working diligently on your behalf. Without solid legal representation, accident victims run the risk of coming away with only lowball settlement offers — or, in the worst cases, nothing at all.
With the experience of a truck accident lawyer, you can focus on your recovery and leave the legal matters to the professionals. They will negotiate with insurance companies and fight for a fair settlement, or take your case to court if necessary.
Contact an Experienced Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer Today
In the aftermath of a jackknife truck accident, you are likely left with not only significant physical issues to recover from but also the financial and emotional burdens that come along with them. Fortunately, you do not have to worry about going through this type of ordeal on your own. With the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer with experience in handling jackknife truck accident cases, you can put yourself in a solid position to not only hold the responsible party accountable but also obtain financial compensation that can help pick up the pieces of your life and start moving forward again.
Christopher C. Walton, Truck Accident Lawyer in Murrieta
Though the injuries you have suffered in the accident may have brought your life to a screeching halt, there is still hope for a more secure future. Working with a strong jackknife truck accident attorney allows you to file a claim to make things right. A knowledgeable lawyer will meet with you to discuss the details of your accident, explain all of the legal options available to you, answer any quotations you have along the way, and guide you through each phase of the legal process.
Though a legal issue can seem daunting and complicated on the surface, knowing that a highly trained professional is serving as your advocate and fighting for you can give you confidence and peace of mind. A successful claim can result in compensation that can be used to pay your medical bills, cover for lost income if you have been rendered unable to work and help deal with the pain and suffering that have entered your life after the truck accident. Don’t think you are on your own — there is help available. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer in Murrieta with experience in jackknife truck accidents today to schedule a consultation.