Jackknife truck accidents in Aurora, IL can lead to catastrophic injuries and property damage for everyone involved. When a truck “jackknifes,” its trailer swings outward, while the cab swings inward towards the trailer, forming a 90-degree or L-shaped angle. This sudden movement can put other road users in danger, cause significant damage to their vehicles, and could hurt them.
If you have been involved in this type of truck crash, you need to seek legal help to receive compensation. An Aurora jackknife truck accident attorney from McCready Law can help you negotiate, pursue, and obtain a fair settlement for your losses from the responsible truck driver’s insurance company.
When an 18-wheeler or other trucks jackknife on Aurora roadways, it’s usually due to inexperienced driving, distracted driving, excessive speeding – particularly down a sloped roadway, and/or sudden braking.
Additionally, failed brakes, blown tires, and bad weather conditions like black ice or snow–a common occurrence in Aurora–can lead to poor traction for the truck’s tires. Drivers who attempt to brake on black ice or snow may find that their large vehicle has lost traction, and in a bid to correct or steady it, the truck may jackknife.
Depending on the proximity of the truck to other smaller passenger cars or vehicles on Aurora’s roads, the trailer may slam into vehicles that are in front, while passenger cars behind may slip under the truck, resulting in underride collisions.
Other drivers may swerve to avoid the truck, lose control, and join the pile-up on the road. Ultimately, victims involved in these crashes can suffer injuries such as:
In extreme cases, there may be fatalities due to the impact of the collision between smaller passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks.
Several factors can influence the amount of compensation for injuries or losses caused by a trailer wreck. Depending on the properties damaged or catastrophic injuries sustained and the level of driver’s responsibility, jackknife big rig collision attorneys in Aurora may assist victims in obtaining substantial settlements.
Such monetary payments may cover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, rehabilitation costs, in-home care expenses, diminished earning ability, and other monetary losses. The claimant also may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and emotional distress, as well as disfigurement and scarring.
Where someone dies in a tractor-trailer crash, the surviving family members or loved ones can sue for wrongful death in an attempt to recover losses such as funeral or burial expenses, the deceased’s hospital bills, loss of companionship, and loss of income.
Also, in cases where the driver’s conduct is so grossly negligent or maliciously reckless, such punitive damages can be awarded to deter other drivers from committing similar actions. Nonetheless, given Illinois’ modified comparative negligence rule, a claimant’s final settlement amount is diminished to the extent of their responsibility for the Jackknife truck crash in Aurora.
With experience in 18-wheeler truck wreck matters, McCready Law helps victims of jackknife truck accidents in Aurora receive just compensation. Our personal injury attorneys can guide you through your options following an accident and assist you in filing an injury claim, negotiating a settlement, or obtaining other favorable remedies for your damages.
Schedule a call today to discuss your case.
