Car accidents are scary, and collisions with large vehicles like semi-trucks can leave you seriously injured and your car damaged beyond repair. If you were involved in a crash where a semi-truck jackknifed, you may be seeking compensation for your medical bills and other damages. As it turns out, these kinds of accidents are often actionable.
If you’re interested in pursuing a lawsuit following your accident, a qualified car accident attorney can assist you. Below, we’ll discuss your options and what you can expect during this process. Nothing should stop you from getting the compensation you rightly deserve.
Semi-Truck Jackknife Accidents
A semi-truck is considered an articulated vehicle, which is a vehicle with a semi-permanent or permanent pivot joint that allows for sharper turns. This added maneuverability may be beneficial for some circumstances, but it also makes the truck much more vulnerable to certain types of accidents, like jackknifing.
A jackknife accident occurs when an articulated vehicle like a semi-truck folds along its pivot joint. It’s called jackknifing because it looks similar to the acute angle of a pocket knife. The vehicle pulling the trailer may start to skid, which causes the trailer swing out and stops to form an angle of 90 degrees or less with the front section.
This type of accident may be caused by over-steering, high winds, poor braking, turning too fast, improperly loaded cargo, unsafe road conditions, faulty parts or other driver errors. It’s important to have all of the correct facts after the incident so you can file a successful personal injury claim.
Lawsuits for Semi-Truck Collisions
Semi-trucks can be seen everywhere on highways, hauling goods and materials across the U.S. These vehicles may be essential to certain industries, but they are also the cause of many accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2012, more than 100,000 people were injured in accidents with large trucks.
Many people can recover their losses following a jackknifing accident by filing a personal injury claim. A lawyer will help analyze the details of the incident by reviewing phone records, the driver’s qualifications and driving record, the truck’s maintenance history and the responsible company’s safety practices. Evidence collected during this analysis will help solidify your case.
Due to the contentious nature these types of lawsuits, it’s important to have an attorney on your side who specializes in truck-related accidents. Someone experienced in these types of cases will be able to refer to relevant laws and regulations that may have a bearing on your case.