When large trucks swing out of control, the consequences can be catastrophic. A truck is made of the cab or the front of the vehicle where the driver sits, and the trailer which is usually the back part of the truck which carries all the cargo. Jackknife accidents involve the truck swinging out of control and out to the side, forming a sharp angle with the cab. This is where the jackknife name comes from, and it can involve numerous vehicles with often fatal effects where multiple individuals lose their lives. Before we take a deep dive into this topic, it is important to note that no accidents happen by themselves or due to a fluke or bad luck, and that accidents of all sizes and manner almost always are caused by human action or negligence.

According to personal injury law, should an individual’s negligent actions lead to you sustaining injuries, you may be able to file a legal claim in order to recover money damages so you are made whole again. Truck accidents tend to be serious, with victims suffering extensive injuries. To this end, you want to make sure that you recover maximum compensation as allowed by law in order to have the financial ability to seek treatment and long-term rehabilitation, something we can help you with.

Hire a Truck Accident Attorney Today

Are you looking for the best jackknife truck accident lawyer? Please call us NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. The experienced truck accident attorneys at McCready Law have helped thousands of individuals just like you over the last 25 years, and our combined legal experience spanning over 50 years is a testament to our excellence and commitment to the average American who may have gotten injured due to someone else’s negligence. What sets us apart from the competition is our vast trial experience where we’ve garnered million-dollar verdicts for past clients, something we believe every truck accident victim should be afforded given the severity of injuries one sustains after a truck accident.

With our best truck accident injury law firm, you’re not just any random number: every case gets the personalized attention it deserves, and our truck accident lawyers are available to chat as well as responsive to emails so you’re always kept in the know with regard to your case’s progress and particulars, as well as access to different resources to help you weather this legal storm so you come out of the experience better and wiser.

We take on all cases on a contingency fee basis, and what this means is that there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES for the duration of your claim, as we only levy our fees at the end of the process, and only if we’ve recovered compensation on your behalf. Regardless of where you are in the country, we can help: please call us NOW at 312-444-0214 if you were involved in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault so we can discuss the way forward at NO COST to you: our intake team is standing by.

Why Do Truck Jackknife Accidents Occur?

Jackknife accidents happen due to a number of reasons such as:

1. Sudden breaking, which may cause the trailer to swing out on account of its attachment to the head of the vehicle, with nothing to prevent it from moving forward. This forward movement then makes it difficult for the truck driver to control the entire vehicle, causing him or her to lose control of it, compounding the effects of the accident.
2. Loss of traction is yet another common reason, and this refers to the lack of friction between the tires and the road. This is often seen in wet or icy condition as these weather phenomena may lead to tires not gripping the road effectively, causing the trailer to move sideways and jackknife. In addition, poor visibility may make the driver overestimate his driving capacity, particularly when it is snowy or raining. A cognitive mistake may cause the driver to brake suddenly or overcorrect, increasing the risk of a jackknife occurring.
3. Improper load distribution is yet another risk factor for jackknifing, as uneven load distribution may make the truck tip over or swing out to one side. In addition, if the cargo the truck is carrying suddenly shifts during transit, a jackknife may occur on account of the altering of the trailer’s balance.

Types of Injuries You May Sustain During a Truck Jackknife Accident

Jackknife accidents can catch you unawares, and as such, severe, life-changing injuries may occur. One such injury is traumatic brain injury, or TBI which occurs when the brain experiences some form of physical trauma. For instance, the force of the impact from the truck accident may lead you to sustain head injuries. In addition, the sudden deceleration and acceleration may give way to your head jerking violently in an event known as whiplash, which usually causes concussions and other types of brain injuries.

Spinal cord injuries are also associated with jackknife accidents where the force of the collision leads to spinal damage and the possibility of paralysis or loss of motor function below the level of injury. This type of injury may either be complete which refers to complete loss of sensation and motor function below the level of injury, or incomplete, where you retain some form of sensation and motor function which varies from person to person.

Broken bones are also very common in truck jackknife accidents simply due to the impact from the force of the accident, and individuals may injure their legs, arms and ribs due to either the violent motion of the accident or the impact against steering wheels and seat belts.

Best Countrywide Truck Accident Attorneys – Call Us Today!

It is estimated that close to 5,000 individuals lost their lives as a result of large truck crashes in the country every year, and this is particularly an issue when it comes to jackknife truck accidents. When it comes to determining liability in such an accident, various entities may share the blame and therefore be named in your suit as defendants, which may increase the amount of compensation you can potentially recover.

The trucking company, the driver, the company contracted to secure and load cargo onto the vehicle, maintenance experts and others may all be named in your suit. You may be able to recover damages such as loss of future income, lost wages, the cost of medical care, pain and suffering, punitive damages, the cost of rehabilitative care and so much more. If you’d like more information on the true value of your potential claim, please give us a call NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. Thanks for choosing us, and we look forward to helping you.