Commercial trucks are less stable than smaller, lighter passenger vehicles. When a truck’s cargo is not properly secured and balanced, the big rig could jackknife or even turn over when the truck driver needs to stop suddenly. Jackknife truck accidents in Jackson frequently cause widespread damages, including severe injuries and deaths.
When a trucking collision leads to an injury or death in your family, you might be eligible to collect financial compensation in a civil claim. A seasoned 18-wheeler collision attorney from Reaves Law Firm, PLLC could help you through this challenging time by offering knowledgeable legal advice and explaining your options and rights.
Semi-trucks have cabs attached to a trailer by a hinge point, allowing the trucks to travel smoothly by making easy turns. However, sometimes those hinge points do not hold up in emergency situations. A jackknife accident occurs when the cab of a big rig slows down or comes to a stop faster than its towed trailer, causing the trailer to continue going and slide to the side of the cab. Jackknives frequently happen when a truck driver stops abruptly after traveling at high speed. The sudden braking causes the truck’s momentum to shift from the front to the side, resulting in what looks like a jackknife. The cab and trailer bend into a jackknife shape, and the trailer continues sliding. The sliding trailer can veer out of its lane and into the path of other vehicles or pedestrians. A jackknife accident can cause immense destruction. It can crush cars or people in its way and block highways for hours as emergency workers try to remove the damaged vehicles and help the injured people.
Our compassionate attorneys in Jackson understand how traumatic jackknife trucking crashes can be and could help your family through the aftermath.
Jackknifing incidents can occur under several circumstances.
Failure to balance and secure freight is a leading cause of jackknife semi-truck wrecks in Jackson. Big rigs are always more unstable than other vehicles. However, trucking and loading companies can try to minimize the instability by taking proper precautions. They should adhere to federal trucking regulations regarding weight limits and the correct placement of cargo to balance the weight.
Driver error is another leading cause of jackknifing. The following are some examples of trucker errors that can cause a jackknife crash:
Trucker negligence and recklessness lead to many accidents.
Changes in weather conditions, poor road conditions, manufacturing defects, or other vehicle problems could cause a trucker driver to lose control.
Our skilled legal team could pinpoint the cause of a jackknife tractor-trailer crash in Jackson and identify the potentially liable parties.
Jackknife truck accidents in Jackson can cause immense damage. You might face economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and lost earnings. You might also suffer non-economic damages as you face changes in your quality of life due to physical and emotional injuries.
A qualified lawyer from Reaves Law Firm, PLLC could help you fight for maximum compensation for your losses. With our legal team’s help, you could heal and try to move forward after enduring this life-altering experience. Call today to get started on your claim.