Truck Accidents Caused By Jackknifing

If you were injured in an accident involving a semi-truck that jackknifed in Houston or surrounding areas of Texas, you need a legal team who understands and appreciates the severity and complication of these unique accidents.

The jackknife truck accident attorneys at the law firm of Goldenzweig Law Group, PLLC, have the knowledge and resources to handle your claim or lawsuit. Our Houston-based lawyers have years of experience helping clients just like you demand the compensation they need to recover after devastating 18-wheeler crashes.

Jackknife truck accidents often cause serious injuries, damages, disability, and even death. You shouldn’t have to suffer alone following a life-changing crash. When you work with us, you will have an advocate in your corner to handle all the twists and turns of your legal case while you focus on your health and your family. We will guide you through the entire process with the compassion and wisdom that only come with decades of hard-earned success. Our goal is your goal: to secure full and fair compensation for your losses, pain, and suffering.

To learn more about how Goldenzweig Law Group, PLLC, can help you recover from a jackknife truck accident in Texas, reach out to our firm today for a free consultation.

What’s a Jackknife Accident and What Causes Trucks to Jackknife?

A jackknife truck accident refers to an accident in which a semi-truck (also called a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler) folds at the point where the tractor and trailer connect, often forming a 90-degree angle. In these events, the trailer can easily swing across multiple lanes, colliding with any vehicles in its path.

There are many reasons why a truck may jackknife, many that are the fault of the driver and some that are the fault of others. For example, the following actions or conditions could cause a truck to jackknife:

• Speeding
• Driving while fatigued
• Driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or certain medications
• Driving while distracted
• Poor or inexperienced driving
• Poorly secured or improperly loaded cargo
• Road and weather conditions, such as wet or icy roads
• Truck part malfunctions
• Obstacles in the road, such as stopped cars, pedestrians, or poorly marked construction areas

A confluence of factors can also cause jackknife truck accidents. For example, a truck driver could be distracted by text messages and also lose traction due to slippery roads. Or an inexperienced truck driver could swerve aggressively to avoid an obstacle, such as a stopped car on the road, leading to a jackknife.

Who Is Responsible for Jackknife Truck Accidents?

The gravity and complexity of jackknife truck accidents can also make it challenging to determine which party is responsible, especially when multiple factors could have caused the accident. That’s why it is crucial to work with an attorney with experience investigating jackknife truck accidents.

Our lawyers know how to properly examine and analyze the evidence from jackknife truck accidents to determine liability.

Because trucking is such a dangerous industry, accounting for 11 percent of all vehicle crash fatalities in one recent year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, federal and state law requires the industry to follow strict regulations.

For example, trucking companies must ensure their drivers are properly trained. According to federal law,  every truck driver must inspect their truck’s brakes, parking brake, steering mechanism, reflectors, lighting devices, tires, windshield wipers, and much more daily, and then record their inspection in writing.

If any party in the trucking industry fails to follow the laws and regulations, they could be found liable for providing compensation to those injured in an accident due to their negligence. The following parties could be found responsible for a jackknife truck accident in a claim or lawsuit:

• The truck driver
• The truck driver’s employer
• The company that owns the truck
• The company responsible for maintaining the truck
• The company that manufactures the truck or truck parts
• The cargo loaders responsible for loading the freight properly
• Other drivers involved in the accident
• Government entities responsible for road conditions

Common Injuries Sustained in a Jackknife Truck Accident

Because of the sheer size of semi-trucks, jackknife truck accidents can cause a cascade of devastation. Just imagine the trail of destruction that a 70-foot, 40-ton truck that’s skidding out of control could leave in its wake. A jackknifed truck could spin around, block multiple lanes of traffic, crash into cars in oncoming traffic, crush or pin other vehicles, and much more.

The following are common injuries sustained in jackknife truck accidents:

• Broken bones
• Severe burns and lacerations
• Blunt force trauma
• Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
• Loss of limbs
• Internal bleeding
• Back and neck injuries, including whiplash
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Fatal injuries

Potential Compensation for Jackknife Truck Wreck Injuries

If you were severely injured in a jackknife truck accident that was the fault of another party, you could be entitled to compensation. An experienced jackknife truck accident lawyer, like those at Goldenzweig Law Group, PLLC, can investigate your case, advise you on your legal options, and advocate fiercely for your best interests.

A jackknife truck accident law firm can help you pursue damages such as the following:

• Medical bills
• Ongoing and future medical care, such as physical or occupational therapy
• Lost wages from time off work
• Loss of future wages due to diminished earning capacity
• Partial or total disability
• Pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional distress
• Property damage

Talk to a Jackknife Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one were involved in a jackknife truck accident caused by another party, do not spend another moment suffering on your own. The experienced Houston jackknife truck accident attorneys at Goldenzweig Law Group, PLLC, are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, to listen and discuss how we can help.

We are ready to handle your case with the care and attention you need after such a devastating accident, and we will stop at nothing to pursue the compensation you need to recover. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.