A jackknifing truck is dangerous and potentially deadly, as the trucker has little control over the vehicle. A jackknife can cause severe injuries and even death to the trucker and others sharing the road.
The nature of the event can cause impacts to the cab, trailers, other vehicles, and any pedestrians who are nearby. Truck jackknifes are especially hazardous on roads with sharp turns or steep inclines that can be challenging due to their large size and weight.
Were you involved in a crash where a large truck jackknifed across multiple lanes into your path? Each Chicago jackknife truck accident lawyer at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can help you seek compensation to recover your damages, including those caused by injuries or your loved one’s fatality.
Call our truck accident legal team at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or use the contact form to schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your jackknife truck accident case.
Dangers of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknife truck accidents can be devastating due to the size and weight of semi-trailers. A jackknifing trailer pushes the front towing vehicle to one side.
This type of accident can cause serious damage and injury, leading to countless accidents, injuries, and deaths each year in the United States. Victims of jackknife truck accidents may be able to pursue compensation from the liable party, but they must establish negligence first.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help protect victims’ rights to compensation. Our law firm has years of experience helping those injured in jackknifing truck accidents fight for full and fair compensation.
They understand the complexities of these cases and will work hard to ensure that victims receive the justice they deserve. With their help, victims can focus on recovering while their legal team handles all aspects of their case.
What Is Jackknifing?
Jackknifing is a type of truck collision in which the trailer swings to one side, resembling a folded pocket knife. This type of accident can occur on any road due to various road conditions and other factors.
Victims of jackknife accidents should seek immediate medical care and consult a lawyer for a free case evaluation. After a truck accident, it is important to call the police, take pictures, and exchange contact information with the truck driver.
Why Trucks Jackknife
Trucks jackknife when the front vehicle skids, but the trailer attached does not slow down, causing the trailer to push the front of the vehicle. It can cause serious accidents that involve not only the trucker but other motorists on the road, as they can spin horizontally and block all lanes of traffic.
Jackknifes are some of the most common and hazardous truck accidents. Causes of jackknife crashes include sudden braking, slippery roads, and improper loading.
Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknifing is a serious danger on the roads and can cause substantial damage due to the heavy weight of semi-trucks. These accidents are often caused by improper braking, which can cause an accident as the trailer continues traveling in a straight line toward the cab to fold into a V-shape, usually across a slippery road surface.
Drivers of large commercial vehicles need to be trained in the correct procedure for applying brakes safely to avoid these accidents. Sudden braking can result in a jackknife accident, and victims may be able to pursue compensation from the liable party if negligence is established.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help protect victims’ rights to compensation after a jackknife accident. They will review all evidence of the crash and work with experts to determine who is at fault for the accident.
Mechanical Defects
Truck accidents can be caused by various mechanical defects, ranging from equipment failure to tire defects. One of the most common causes of jackknife crashes is equipment failure, which can occur in any part of the vehicle, including the truck’s brakes and battery system that could malfunction.
Tire defects are also a major factor in jackknife-related crashes, accounting for around 30 percent of all incidents. These can be caused by defective components or inadequate inspections and maintenance, leading to dangerous situations on the road.
Driving Too Fast
Speeding is a dangerous practice that can have serious consequences. A big rig has a risk of jackknifing when traveling over the speed limit should it lose traction on a slippery road surface.
The extra stopping distance required for these vehicles due to the truck’s size and weight means that jackknife accidents are more likely to happen when they are speeding.
The vehicle needs more time to slow down or stop in an emergency situation, which can lead to the trailer swinging out of control and potentially causing a crash.
Imbalanced or Heavy Loads
Heavy or imbalanced loads pulled by a tractor-trailer can cause jackknifing. When a trailer is overloaded or improperly loaded, it can become unstable and cause the truck to sway while in motion.
Trucks jackknife because of instability that can lead to the trailer swinging from behind the truck, resulting in a jackknife accident. A trailer slew (trailer swing) causes an imbalance where the cargo shifts causing the trailer to sway and potentially lead to a jackknife accident.
Trucking companies must train their employees to avoid causing a serious accidents by jackknifing in heavy traffic.
Weather-Related Jackknife Accidents
Truckers must always be aware of the weather conditions on the road. Poor weather can create hazardous driving conditions, such as reduced visibility due to heavy rain or icy roads in winter.
These conditions make it difficult to control the vehicle, causing the truck to jackknife. Tractor-trailer operators must consider the potential risks of bad weather and adjust their driving accordingly when traveling with passenger cars, SUVs, and other trucks.
Jackknifing Collision Liability
Jackknifing collisions can be devastating and cause serious injuries. In such cases, multiple entities may be held liable for the crash, including the driver, manufacturer, employer, and even a mechanic if they miss an obvious problem.
Typically, negligent behavior causes jackknifing trucks, like driver error or defective parts. An attorney can review documents related to the collision to determine which party owes compensation.
Suing a Truck Driver from Another State
Suing an out-of-state truck driver traveling long distances and their employer for causing the crash can be challenging. Typically, the jurisdiction where the accident occurred applies regardless of where the truck driver and their employer are based.
In such cases, a lawyer can help to gather evidence to prove negligence and obtain compensation. If you were injured in a jackknife truck accident, an attorney can help you identify all liable parties and hold them accountable.
Possible liable parties that might have caused the truck to jackknife include:
- Driver
- Trucking company
- Trailer owner
- Cargo owner
- Defective parts manufacturer (with jackknife accidents)
- Cargo loaders
- Vehicle maintenance
- Repair contractors
Who Can Sue in a Fatal Jackknifing Truck Case?
In a fatal jackknifing accident case, the representative of the deceased can be an immediate family member such as a spouse or parent. Other potential plaintiffs may include distant relatives, life partners, and financial dependents.
The state’s laws should be reviewed to determine who can bring legal action against the liable party. All vehicle owners and operators must drive safely and lawfully on the road.
Jackknife accidents can be caused by inexperienced, poorly trained, or otherwise impaired truck drivers.
How a Chicago Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
When a jackknife truck accident occurs, the victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional suffering, and loss of consortium. An experienced jackknife truck accident attorney can help victims seek the compensation they deserve.
The complex circumstances of a jackknife truck accident often require the legal knowledge of an experienced truck crash attorney to examine every factor in an accident and build a case against insurance companies.
Truck drivers must drive safely and lawfully to avoid such accidents, but when they fail, an experienced lawyer can help victims get the justice they deserve.
Calculate a Settlement
Attorneys calculate a settlement figure before negotiations begin by adding up damages. Economic damages include medical bills, future medical costs, property damage expenses, and lost wages.
Other possible damages involve pain and suffering, emotional distress, and disfigurement. The type and the extent of injury affect the settlement value. Therefore, seeking immediate medical care after an accident is important to ensure fair compensation for the victim.
Having an attorney can also help increase the claim’s worth to maximize truck accident victims’ settlement amount.
Negotiating With the Insurance Company
Negotiating with an insurance company can be daunting. It is important to remember that the initial settlement offer from the insurance company is usually lower than what you deserve.
You have the right to negotiate with the adjuster for fair compensation, and hiring a truck accident attorney can help you secure a better settlement offer.
Were You Injured in a Jackknife Truck Accident? Hire Experienced Semi-Truck Injury Lawyers
Were you or a loved one injured in a jackknifing accident in Chicago, Illinois?
Seek medical attention for any injuries sustained. It is also important to take down the contact information of the truck driver and witnesses, if possible, and take pictures of the accident and your injuries. This documentation will help build a case for your claim.
Our personal injury lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can ensure you are compensated for your damages. Call us at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or fill in the contact form online today to schedule a free consultation.
