Jackknife Accident Lawyer in Louisiana

Weighing in at nearly 40 tons, commercial trucks far outweigh the passenger cars you and I drive on the highway every day. Because of their much higher weight and size, big rigs need to contend with a number of issues that other cars, trucks, and SUVs simply don’t:

• 18-wheelers take much longer to start and stop than smaller vehicles
• Tractor trailers have less visibility in general, and are harder to maneuver
• Due to their construction, trucks are prone to jackknife accidents

Jackknifing is a common accident for commercial trucks, and it’s one of the most dangerous. If you’ve been the victim of a jackknifed truck accident, you’re likely dealing with major property damage, severe injuries, lost wages, and more. You need a dedicated legal advocate to ensure your needs are met.

What Is a Jackknife Accident?

During normal operation, the cab and trailer of a commercial trucking rig are in line with each other. A truck jackknifes when its cab and trailer go in different directions, forming a V-shape.

This type of accident is called a jackknife because the truck looks like an open jackknife, or pocket knife, with the cab resembling the handle and the trailer the blade.

Jackknife accidents can be extremely dangerous and cause a large disruption in traffic. Often, they can block multiple lanes of traffic, including opposite lanes. As a result, jackknifing trucks often lead to multi-car pileups, which not only increases the risk of a serious injury but can make it difficult to determine liability in each separate collision.

Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents

Most jackknife accidents happen because the truck driver has to brake suddenly. A tractor-trailer’s braking system is far more complex than a passenger vehicle’s—both the cab and trailer have their own braking systems that need to be applied simultaneously. When the driver doesn’t have time to apply the trailer brakes after applying the cab’s brakes, the trailer out-paces the cab and swings to the side, causing a jackknife.

Of course, the majority of jackknife accidents—like most traffic accidents—are caused by driver error. That negligence can occur at many stages of the truck’s trip:

• Improper loading of cargo
• Failure to properly maintain the vehicle
• Equipment failure
• Incorrect braking technique or adjustment
• Driver inexperience
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Fatigued driving
• Inclement weather, such as rain, snow, sleet, or fog

All of these can increase the risk that the trailer overtakes the cab and jackknifes into traffic. When this happens, the truck driver, loader, transport company, or cargo owner could be found liable for the accident and its associated damages.

Determining Liability for a Jackknifing Truck Accident

Because of the number of parties involved in every trucking case, determining liability can be complicated. With jackknifing accidents, the question of liability for your injuries can be even more complex due to the higher number of vehicles generally involved.

That being said, certain parties are generally held at least partially liable for tractor trailer jackknifing accidents:

• The truck driver, for neglectful driving
• The truck loader, for failing to properly load the truck
• The truck owner or trucking company, for failing to maintain the truck properly
• Governmental agencies, if the road was improperly maintained or had improper signage
• If another car caused the truck to stop short and jackknife, the driver or owner of that car

Common Jackknife Accident Injuries

Jackknifing trucks often lead to extreme, debilitating injuries for everyone involved. While your injuries will depend on the circumstances, including where you are in relation to the truck, your speed, and other conditions, common injuries sustained in jackknife accidents include

• Neck injuries and back injuries
• Serious cuts and bruises
• Broken bones
• Whiplash
• Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Paralysis

If you’ve sustained a serious injury from a jackknife accident, your treatment can cost thousands of dollars. Your injuries could also keep you from working, causing lost wages, and could lead to an inability to work in the future. All of these costs can be recoverable through a jackknife injury claim. Call the experienced truck injury lawyers at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys for a free consultation about your legal options.

Recovering Compensation After a Jackknife Accident

If you’ve been the victim of a jackknifing truck, you don’t have to face your injuries alone. You deserve compensation for your injuries, and you need a personal injury lawyer with the drive and skill to get you the compensation you deserve.

The truck accident lawyers with Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have decades of experience helping Louisiana drivers get the money they need to heal and move on after a traumatic injury. Give us a call today at 888.501.7888 for a free legal consultation. We won’t charge you a dime until we win or settle your case. That’s the G Guarantee!