A big truck jackknifing in front of you is one of the most terrifying things you can see on the road. With the truck out of control and the trailer taking up all the lanes ahead, there may be no way to escape a crash. All too often, fatalities and severe injuries are the result.
Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries from a jackknife truck crash can be among the most expensive and complex injuries to treat. Recovery can be a long process. The good news is that you don’t need to face the future alone. If you’ve suffered injuries in a trailer jackknife accident , an experienced truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma City can help.
Cain Law is a personal injury law firm serving the Oklahoma City area. We have over 100 years of combined legal experience and are ready to start on your case immediately. Our jackknife accident attorneys never charge for an initial consultation, and you owe us nothing unless and until we obtain compensation for your injuries. Contact Cain Law for help with your Oklahoma City truck accident case today.
How an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Jackknife Accident
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help in many ways after a jackknife accident, including:
- Conducting our own investigation of the accident
- Taking statements from witnesses
- Reviewing police reports
- Reviewing your medical records to make sure we understand your injuries and treatment needs
- Working with expert witnesses to reconstruct the facts of the accident and determine the extent of your losses
- Calculating the true value of your personal injury claim
- Negotiating a settlement with the insurance company
- Taking the case to court if necessary
Insurance companies typically try to pay as little as possible after an accident. If you don’t have a lawyer, they’ll try to pressure you into accepting a lowball offer that doesn’t cover your expenses and is much lower than the maximum compensation you could receive. With an experienced lawyer on your side, you do not need to accept that. You can demand full compensation, knowing that you have the help of a team of skilled professionals.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Big 18-wheel semi-trucks are designed with a joint between the cab and the trailer, allowing the cab to pull the trailer straight behind it on the highway and to turn when the cab turns. If the truck driver loses control of the vehicle, the trailer can turn out at an angle to the cab so that the vehicle resembles an opening jackknife. With no way to escape, other vehicles on the road will likely crash into the truck or be crushed when it rolls over. This is known as a jackknife truck accident.
What Happens When a Truck Jackknifes?
When a truck jackknifes, several dangerous things can happen, including:
- Other vehicles can crash into the trailer because it is now blocking several lanes of traffic.
- The truck can roll over.
- The truck can crash into objects or vehicles in front of it as the driver can no longer stop.
- The truck can go off the road.
Serious injuries and fatalities are likely in a jackknife truck accident due to the speed of traffic and the size of the truck. Common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Injuries to the internal organs
- Emotional and psychological injuries
If you suffered any of these life-altering injuries, a jackknife truck accident lawyer can help you pursue a compensation claim.
Common Causes of Truck Jackknifing
According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the most common causes of large truck accidents include:
- Unsafe lane changes
- Speeding
- Inattentiveness
- Failing to yield
- Following too closely
- Turning improperly
- Failing to stop
- Overtaking improperly
- Parking improperly
- Driving under the influence
Common causes of truck jackknifing include:
- Speeding on a turn or a slippery surface
- Tire blowout
- Fatigue after driving for a long time
- Brake failure
- Braking too suddenly
- Bad road conditions such as rain, ice, and snow
- Reckless driving
- Imbalanced loading
- Carrying too much weight
If a truck driver’s or company’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. An experienced attorney can help you seek justice and accountability from the responsible parties.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Truck Jackknifes
When a truck jackknifes, multiple parties may be at fault. The driver and the trucking company often share responsibility for the accident. Reckless driving, speeding, and braking too suddenly are all common causes of jackknife accidents for which the truck driver is responsible. Still, the trucking company can also be responsible for requiring the driver to drive tired or failing to perform adequate maintenance. They are also responsible for the negligence of their drivers.
Talk to a jackknifed big rig accident lawyer in OKC to determine who is liable for the accident and your injuries. You can seek compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost income, including wages, commissions, and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological trauma
If the driver’s actions were especially reckless or egregious, you may also be able to collect punitive damages. These are not awarded in most cases, but they can be in cases where the driver or the company acted with reckless disregard for the safety of others.
Contact Our OKC Truck Accident Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
In Pain? Call Cain. An experienced jackknife accident lawyer can investigate your case, gather strong evidence of fault, and fight to secure compensation on your behalf. We are available to take your call 24/7. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you, at home, in the hospital, or wherever you may be. Having trouble getting medical care? Your health is our number one priority. We can help you get the medical help you need.
Once you hire us as your attorneys, our rapid response team will get to work immediately. We will launch our own in-depth investigation into the facts of your accident. We have extensive experience with truck accident claims and know how to hold the people responsible for your injuries accountable. We have won over $100 million for our Oklahoma clients.
Cain Law helped change the law in Oklahoma to allow direct negligence claims against trucking companies for negligent hiring and poor safety culture. We are a local Oklahoma law firm with extensive knowledge of Oklahoma law. You should always verify that you are working with a local law firm. Contact Cain Law today for your free consultation to discuss your claim and learn how we can assist and support you.