What is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
A jackknife truck accident occurs when a truck trailer swings around to meet the cab forming a “V” shape. The name comes from the angle made when folding a pocket knife. When a truck jackknifes, anyone and anything in the immediate vicinity is in serious danger.
Jackknifed trucks can:
- Wrap around other vehicles;
- Slide into an uncontrollable skid;
- Run off the road into the median;
- Result in a rollover accident;
- Cause a multi-car pileup; and
- Skid into oncoming traffic.
Knowing the causes of jackknife truck accidents raises awareness of these collisions and may save lives in the process.
What Causes Jackknife Truck Accidents?
There are several reasons that jackknife truck accidents happen. Causes of jackknife truck accidents may include the following and more:
- Poor braking technique;
- Defective truck equipment;
- Poor road or driving conditions;
- Speeding;
- Turning too fast;
- Poor truck maintenance;
- Truck driver inexperience;
- Drowsy driving;
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Tailgating; and
- Improper cargo loading.
Many of the above are the result of human error but are not mistakes made by the truck driver.
Who is Liable for a Jackknife Truck Accident?
The truck driver is not always liable for a jackknife truck accident. Sometimes another driver’s actions caused the truck accident. At other times, a third-party’s negligence may have been responsible.
A third-party to the crash would be a non-driver involved in putting the truck on the road. Truck accident attorneys generally investigate third-party liability when determining sources of compensation for a victim’s injuries.
Multiple parties may share liability for a jackknife truck accident such as:
- The truck driver;
- The driver of another vehicle;
- A governmental entity or municipality responsible for road conditions;
- The truck part manufacturer;
- The truck manufacturer;
- The truck owner; or
- The maintenance crew.
Regardless of liability, jackknife truck accidents can leave victims seriously injured.
Common Injuries Incurred in Jackknife Truck Accidents
All truck accidents, including jackknife accidents, have the potential to leave victims catastrophically injured or cause death. Catastrophic injuries are life-altering or chronic injuries such as:
- Severe burns;
- Broken bones;
- Paralysis;
- Head and brain injuries; and
- Chronic pain.
Catastrophic injuries are costly to victims of jackknife truck accidents. They place a heavy financial, physical, mental, and emotional toll on everyone directly involved.
Compensation Available After a Jackknife Truck Accident
Financial recovery for a jackknife truck accident relies on several variables like:
- The extent of the injuries;
- The prognosis for recovery;
- The amount of any property damage; and
- The effect of the victim’s injuries on their overall life.
There are some common damages available to victims of truck accidents, such as:
- Current and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of future income; and
- Pain and suffering.
To find out if you qualify for monetary damages, contact an experienced Milwaukee truck accident attorney.
Contact an Experienced Milwaukee Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you were seriously injured in a jackknife truck accident or lost a loved one to truck accident injuries, the truck accident team at Mingo & Yankala want to help. Our firm is experienced in catastrophic truck accidents and is successful at recovering compensation for families in crisis.
Reach out for a complimentary consultation with a truck accident attorney today. There is no risk to have your situation reviewed by a professional. You should know your legal rights before speaking with the insurance company or making any statements about your claim.