1-855-722-2552According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 80,000 people were injured in Truck accidents in 2010. Truck accidents can be broken down into several categories including rear-end accidents, rollovers and underride accidents. One of the most dangerous types of truck crashes to be involved in is a jackknife truck accident. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, jackknife crashes can leave vehicle passengers with serious injuries and cause extensive property damage.
In most jackknife truck accidents, a tractor that is pulling a trailer will skid, causing the trailer to push the tractor from behind until it spends around and is facing backward. This type of crash is referred to a jackknife because it resembles a folding pocket knife. After the accident occurs, the cab is facing the opposite direction of the trailer, making it difficult to move the cab. Due to the nature of the accident, other vehicles traveling on the road may not have enough time to stop or move around the truck, causing them to hit the tractor trailer. It is not uncommon for jackknife accidents to occur during bad weather such as fog, sleet, rain or snow.
If you or a family member has sustained an injury in a jackknife truck accident, you may have grounds for legal action. Contact a Palm Beach truck accident attorney today to explore your legal options.
For additional information about lawsuits regarding jackknife truck accidents, call 1 (855) 722-2552 or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form.
Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Florida jackknife truck accidents can be caused by a variety of factors. Some common causes of a jackknife truck collision include:
- Speeding– A truck driver that is excessively speeding cause the truck to jackknife.
- Braking Suddenly– When a tractor trailer that weighs thousands of pounds, abruptly slams the brakes, it puts the truck at an increased risk of jackknifing.
- Driver Error– A driver that tries to brake and swerve concurrently can cause the accident.
- Improperly Adjusted Brakes– An unloaded truck can jackknife, if the brakes are not adjusted correctly. Sometimes a driver will travel for several miles with soft brakes, which can be an indication of brake failure. The tractor trailer can jackknife, if the driver doesn’t attend to the brakes quickly.
Filing a truck accident lawsuit
Jackknife truck accidents can leave vehicle occupants with severe and debilitating injuries. If the crash was caused by the truck driver’s negligence, the accident victim may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses
- Ambulatory costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Emotional trauma
If your loved one was fatally injured in a jackknife truck accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
For additional information about wrongful death claims, fill out the contact form on this page.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
It’s imperative for injury victims to seek legal consultation immediately after a jackknife truck accident. A skilled Palm Beach truck accident attorney can identify the cause of the accident. In addition, the attorney knows how to collect key evidence and interview witness to establish liability in the case.
If you or a loved was one was injured in jackknife truck accident, you may have financial and legal recourse. Contact Gordon & Partners today to schedule a free case evaluation. Gordon & Partners is available to assist truck accident victims in Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties.
For a Free Case Evaluation, complete a contact form or call 1 (855) 722-2552.
