312-372-1227 Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer
When a truck’s cab goes one direction and its connected trailer fans out the opposite way, anyone traveling behind the truck is left with no way to avoid a collision. These jackknife accidents result in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries every year.
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we understand how the injuries and related losses from a jackknife truck crash can impact your life. You may face mounting medical bills and lost wages because you’re too injured to work. Your vehicle may have been seriously damaged, and you could be facing a lengthy recovery process. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys have advocated for the rights of thousands of injured clients and secured more than $2.0 billion on their behalf. Let us put this skill and dedication to work for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a jackknife truck accident attorney. Let us tell you how our firm can help.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
A jackknife truck accident occurs when the trailer attached to a semi-truck swings to the side and then around toward the truck’s cab at an acute angle. As the trailer is swinging around, it might collide with other vehicles on the road. From above, the trailer’s movement resembles a pocketknife being closed, hence the term “jackknife accident.”
Why Do Jackknife Truck Accidents Happen?
Many jackknife crashes occur because of a sudden, sharp change in a semi-truck’s momentum. For example, if a semi-truck is moving at high speed and the driver slams on the brakes, the truck’s forward momentum might cause the trailer to swing to the side even as the cab is coming to a stop. Because of how much a semi-truck trailer weighs, even when it is empty, anyone in its path is likely to be seriously injured from the impact.
Although jackknife truck accidents are less common than other accidents involving semi-trucks, they can be especially dangerous. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), nearly 200 fatal jackknife collisions occurred across the United States in one recent year, as well as roughly 2,000 injury accidents.
Your Compensation for a Jackknife Truck Accident
Injuries from a jackknife truck accident can be severe and may require extensive medical care. You may be unable to work due to your injuries and wondering how you’ll pay your bills. That’s why it is
important to hire an experienced jackknife truck crash attorney who can pursue compensation for your injuries while you take time to heal. An attorney can help you recover compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced future earnings or other benefits
- Damaged personal property
Finding Out Who is Responsible for Chicago Jackknife Truck Accidents
In most collisions involving passenger vehicles, one or more of the drivers involved is at fault and therefore liable for compensating any injured parties. However, in an accident involving a large truck, multiple parties may be liable, including:
- The truck driver – Many jackknife accidents are the result of truck drivers acting carelessly. Some careless behaviors that can cause jackknife accidents include speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and driving while fatigued.
- The trucking company – Trucking companies are responsible for hiring safe, experienced, and qualified drivers. These companies are also responsible for monitoring their drivers for potentially dangerous behavior, such as speeding or driving while impaired. If a trucking company hired an unsafe or unqualified driver, or if they failed to properly monitor the driver’s behavior behind the wheel, the company can be liable for a jackknife truck accident.
- Vehicle and parts manufacturers – A semi-truck’s parts must be in good working order to minimize the chances of a jackknife crash. If a truck’s brakes or other mechanical components fail, it may be impossible for a truck driver to prevent a crash. If a jackknife crash occurs due to a defective part, the company that designed or produced the part can be liable for the accident.
- Maintenance workers – Maintenance crews are responsible for keeping semi-trucks running and promptly repairing broken or defective parts. Sloppy maintenance work could lead to brake failure or other mechanical issues with the truck, resulting in a preventable accident.
- Cargo loaders – Cargo crews play a key role in preventing jackknife truck accidents because a truck’s cargo must be properly balanced and secured to keep the trailer stable in transit. If the cargo is unbalanced or comes loose while the truck is moving, the truck’s trailer can become unsteady and swing around, resulting in a jackknife accident.
Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents in Chicago
Some of the most common causes of jackknife truck accidents in Chicago are:
- Speeding
- Braking too hard or too quickly
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Brake malfunctions or failures
- Inadequate truck maintenance
- Inexperienced or unqualified drivers
How Do Truck Drivers Avoid Jackknife Accidents?
Truck drivers can take precautions to reduce the chances of a jackknife crash, such as:
- Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles
- Driving at an appropriate speed for weather conditions
- Keeping their eyes on the road at all times
- Downshifting and using engine brakes when possible
- Using brakes lightly and gradually to avoid a sudden stop
Injuries Associated with Chicago Jackknife Truck Accidents
Because a semi-truck is 20 to 30 times heavier than a passenger vehicle, and because trucks sit higher off the ground, a collision between the two is likely to have serious consequences. These accidents can be fatal and result in serious injuries for the driver and passengers, including:
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Broken ribs
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Fractures to the skull
- Psychological distress
- Spinal cord injuries
- Limb amputations
- Crushed limbs
- Permanent brain damage
- Permanent physical disability and paralysis
Contact a Chicago Jackknife Truck Accident Attorney Today
Being involved in a jackknife truck accident can be traumatizing and painful. If you were injured in a jackknife accident that wasn’t your fault, you have a right to hold the truck driver, trucking company, or other parties accountable and seek compensation for your injuries. Our Chicago jackknife accident attorneys are ready to work tirelessly to pursue the maximum compensation after a crash so you can focus on healing. Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today for a free consultation with one of our Illinois jackknife accident lawyers.
