Jackknife Truck Accidents

A jackknife truck accident is not only terrifying but can also cause devastating injuries. If you have suffered a serious injury in a jackknife truck accident, the truck wreck lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are here to help. Call or chat with us today to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee for our services unless we win your case.

What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?

Jackknife collisions are a unique type of truck accident that occurs only in trucks made of two parts—a cab and a trailer—such as an 18-wheeler or semi-truck. This accident occurs when the cab and trailer fold at a 90-degree angle, creating a “V” shape like an open jackknife. Often, the accident will happen in the middle of a road away, blocking several lanes of traffic.

Because many of the causes of jackknife truck accidents are caused by the behavior of truck drivers, these crashes are often preventable. Trucking companies and their drivers are responsible for ensuring their trucks don’t pose a danger to other drivers on the road. But if they fail to regularly service the vehicles, which in turn causes a crash, they may be held liable.

Most Common Causes Of Jackknife Truck Accidents

The most common cause of a jackknife crash is driver error. Truck drivers have a responsibility to keep everyone safe while on the road. When they ignore that responsibility by acting carelessly, such as driving while fatigued, under the influence, at high speeds, or distracted, the result is a catastrophic accident.

Sometimes, driver error may not be the cause, but it may be the result of the negligence of the trucking company or another third party. Other causes of jackknife accidents include:

• Poor vehicle maintenance
• The tractor trailer is carrying unbalanced or overloaded cargo
• Bad weather conditions
• Poor road conditions or road hazards
• Defective truck parts such as the brakes or tires
• Other negligent drivers on the road

Are Jackknife Truck Collisions Preventable?

Because many of the causes of jackknife truck accidents are caused by the behavior of truck drivers, these crashes are often preventable. In addition, trucking companies and their drivers are responsible for ensuring their trucks don’t pose a danger to other drivers on the road. But if they fail to regularly service the vehicles, which in turn causes a crash, they may be held liable.

Common Injuries in a Jackknife Crash

Because of the severity of jackknife truck crashes, they will often result in serious injury and sometimes death. Common injuries in jackknife truck accidents include:

•  Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Back and neck injuries
• Internal organ injuries
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Lacerations
• Wrongful death

Liability in a Jackknife Truck Accident

There can be many liable parties for your crash. In addition to the truck driver, other parties who may be held at fault include:

• The driver
• The trucking company
• The cargo loading company
• The truck manufacturer
• The owner of the truck

To determine who is responsible, your jackknife truck accident lawyer will do a thorough investigation and gather evidence that proves who can be held responsible for your injuries. The evidence needed to support your jackknife truck accident claim includes:

•  The police report
• Medical bills
• Your vehicle or property damage information
• The truck’s black box data
• Truck’s maintenance records
• Driver records, including logbooks, cell phone records, and employment history

Damages Available For a Jackknife Truck Crash

Jackknife truck accident victims may recover financial compensation for:

• Medical treatment
• Loss of income
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of companionship
• Emotional distress

For 65 years, Munley Law’s truck accident attorneys have represented motor vehicle accident victims throughout the United States. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges of surviving a truck crash. We are proud that our team is some of the country’s leading jackknife truck accident attorneys.

Our mission is to hold the negligent party accountable and restore justice where harm has been done. For this reason, we do not collect a fee for our services unless we win your case. You will never have to pay us anything upfront or out of pocket. Call today for a free case evaluation.

How Much Is Your Jackknife Truck Accident Injury Worth?

How much your jackknife truck accident injury is worth depends on various factors. To pursue monetary compensation, your attorney will assess the following to seek compensation on your behalf:

• The amount of your current and future medical expenses
• The amount of lost wages or lost earnings you have faced
• The extent of your serious injuries, pain, and suffering
• Whether punitive damages are available in your state
• The number of negligent parties involved