Truck accidents are some of the most devastating accidents on the road, especially when they involve tractor-trailers. One of the most dangerous types of large truck accidents is a jackknife accident, where the trailer and cab fold toward each other into a 90-degree angle.
If you suffered injuries in a truck jackknife accident, or any accident, contact Hale & Monico for a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident attorneys. We will review your case, explain your legal options, and walk you through the process of recovering compensation for your injuries.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Jackknife truck accidents occur when the rear of the trailer of a semi-truck swings out at a 90-degree angle and sweeps toward the cab, resembling how a jackknife folds. This type of accident often happens due to factors including:
- Speeding – Excessive speeding can cause the truck driver to lose control, causing the trailer to swing out of line.
- Poor Road Conditions – Wet, icy, or uneven roads can make it difficult for truck drivers to maintain control of their vehicles.
- Heavy Braking – Slamming on the brakes, especially when going downhill or in slippery conditions, can lock the wheels and cause the trailer to skid out of alignment with the cab.
- Improper Loading – Unevenly distributed cargo or cargo that isn’t properly secured can shift during transit, leading to a jackknife accident.
- Driver Negligence – Negligent driver actions, such as driving while fatigued, impaired, or distracted, can increase the risk of accidents, including jackknife accidents.
Jackknife accidents are dangerous for truck drivers and other motorists on the road around them. The swinging trailer can sweep across multiple lanes, colliding with other vehicles.
Common Injuries Sustained in Jackknife Truck Accidents
Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, the injuries sustained in jackknife accidents are often severe. Some of the injuries victims can suffer include:
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Heavy impacts can cause damage to the spinal cord, resulting in partial or full paralysis. These injuries often require long-term or lifelong medical care.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – Severe blows to the head or penetrating injuries can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries may affect memory, cognitive function, and motor skills.
- Broken Bones – The force of a truck crash can fracture bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis. Depending on the severity, broken bones may require surgery and take months to heal.
- Lacerations – Broken glass, sharp metal, and debris can cause deep cuts that require stitches and may leave permanent scars.
- Burn Injuries – Jackknife accidents can sometimes lead to fire, especially if there’s a fuel spill.
- Amputation Injuries – Truck accidents sometimes result in traumatic amputation injuries or injuries that require surgical amputation after the accident.
- Soft Tissue Injuries – Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can tear or pull. Whiplash is one of the most common soft tissue injuries suffered in vehicle collisions.
What Compensation Is Available for Victims of Jackknife Truck Accidents?
If you suffered injuries in a jackknife accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your:
- Medical expenses, including surgeries, prescription medications, and physical therapy
- Lost wages while you were recovering or loss of future earning potential if your injuries impact your ability to work
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Disability accommodations, including modifications to your home or vehicle, assistive devices, or hiring in-home care
- Property damage, including the damage to your vehicle caused by the accident
Who Is Liable for Injuries Resulting from a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Determining liability for injuries suffered in a jackknife truck accident is a key part of recovering compensation. Some of the parties that may be responsible for your injuries include:
- Truck Drivers – If the driver’s negligent actions, such as speeding or driving fatigued, contributed to the accident, they could be liable.
- Trucking Companies – Employers can sometimes be liable for accidents caused by their employees. However, they may also be liable if their business practices contributed to the accident, such as encouraging drivers to speed to make faster deliveries.
- Maintenance Providers – Truck maintenance providers could be liable if poor maintenance caused a mechanical failure that contributed to the jackknife accident.
- Vehicle Manufacturers – Defective parts that contributed to the accident can leave manufacturers open to liability for resulting injuries.
- Cargo Loaders – Improperly loaded or secured cargo can shift, increasing the risk of a jackknife accident. If this happens, the cargo loaders may be liable.
- Government Entities – The local, state, or federal government may be liable for your injuries if poorly maintained roads contributed to the accident.
- Other Motorists – In some cases, other motorists can cause jackknife accidents, such as if they cut off the truck driver, causing them to brake heavily.
Steps to Take After a Jackknife Truck Accident
After a jackknife accident, it’s essential to take the following steps to protect your legal right to seek compensation:
- Seek ongoing medical care for your injuries. If you follow up with your prescribed treatment, it will be harder for the insurance company to claim that your injuries don’t exist or aren’t serious.
- Keep track of your medical bills so your attorney can use them to calculate your medical expenses.
- Write down the details of the accident before you forget them. Truck accident cases can be complex and lengthy, and your notes will help you remember what happened months down the line.
- Avoid making a statement to insurance companies until after speaking with an attorney. Many states have laws that can reduce your compensation by your degree of fault, and the insurance company may try to get you to admit to some level of fault. (for example – Illinois, New York, and California)
- The best way to protect your legal rights is to hire an experienced truck accident attorney.
Contact a Chicago Jackknife Truck Accident Attorney
If you suffered injuries in a jackknife accident, contact Hale & Monico for a free consultation. One of our experienced truck accident attorneys will review your case and walk you through the process of seeking the compensation you deserve.