Semi-trailers are some of the largest vehicles allowed on the roadways. Any accidents involving these big rigs can be dangerous not only for the truckers, but for other people on the road in passenger vehicles. Jackknife crashes can lead to serious injuries for accident victims, from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) to fatalities.
What Is Jackknifing?
Jackknife accidents happen when a large truck, such as a semi-truck, folds in on itself at a 90-degree angle. They are called ‘jackknife accidents’ to demonstrate how the trailer swings into the cab, pushing the cab (the front towing vehicle portion) to one side. The term can also refer to semi-trailer accidents caused when the towing cab is pushed around to face backwards — making it shaped like a pocketknife.
Typically, jackknifing occurs when a faulty braking system is involved, whether due to lack of maintenance or poor vehicle management on behalf of the trucker. For instance, if the truck driver does not give proper distance between the truck and the next vehicle, they may need to brake harder than they should. Braking hard and too fast can lock up the truck axles. Meanwhile, the tractor-trailer will continue to move, pressing hard into the cab and causing it to fold in on itself.
If you or a family member were hurt or suffered a wrongful death in a jackknife truck accident, you may have the option to seek compensation with help from a truck accident attorney.
Where Can Jackknife Accidents Happen?
Jackknife accidents account for a large percent of semi-truck accidents every year, with more than 4,800 fatalities in the United States in 2017 (the most recent data year), according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Like other vehicle accidents, jackknife crashes can happen nearly anywhere a tractor-trailer is traveling. However, these accidents may be more likely to occur on roadways where big rigs are commonly traveling, such as highways and freeways. In Florida, semi-truck accidents often occur on major highways, such as the following:
- I-75, an interstate that runs through a large portion of the United States
- The Florida Turnpike
- I-4, particularly the stretch that connects Tampa and Daytona Beach
- I-95, which cuts through North Miami
- 66th Street in Largo
- West State Hwy 60
- US 1, which spans more than 545 miles throughout the U.S.
These are not the only places where jackknife accidents can occur. Yet factors such as high speeds, unpredictable weather conditions, and negligent motorists can make truck accidents more likely in high-traffic areas, such as freeways.
Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
All motor vehicle accidents can occur for any number of reasons. But semi-truck jackknife crashes may happen due to risk factors specific to these large commercial trucks, such as the weight and size of the vehicles. Vehicles hauling tractor-trailers require careful handling and timely maintenance.
If truck drivers are inexperienced or lack proper training, they may be more likely to get into an accident. Similarly, a truck could crash due to faulty brakes or over-correcting while trying to steer out of a skid. When these types of truck accidents do happen, they often result in severe injuries for those involved. Here are some of the most common causes of jackknife accidents:
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Loss of traction after a skid
- Traveling over the speed limit or other forms of careless driving
- Improper braking due to faulty brakes
- Fatigued driver
- Distracted driving, such as texting or calling while driving
- Faulty road conditions, such as an improperly maintained or slippery road
Regardless of how or why truck crashes occur, the results can be staggering for truck accident victims. People who have been injured in jackknife truck accidents may have the option of starting a personal injury claim to seek compensation for their injuries.
Jackknife Semi-Truck Accidents Involving Passenger Vehicles
On some rare occasions, a jackknifing big rig may occur away from other vehicles and leave no one injured. Many times, though, these incidents lead to car accidents involving passenger vehicles, resulting in devastating injuries or fatalities for accident victims. When a car collides with a semi, the car could flip and roll over due to the impact, catch fire, or experience other dangerous effects.
While some jackknifing truck accidents may be true accidents, many are preventable. Use of proper braking techniques, adequate training for truckers, and putting proper distance between the truck and other vehicles are all protective factors against truck accidents. If a semi-truck struck you due to failure to brake properly or another form of negligence, you may be able to file an injury claim.
Types of Injuries Caused by Jackknifing Tractor Trailers
Tractor-trailer accidents lead to major injuries much of the time for accident victims, from broken bones and concussions to head and brain injury. Here are some of the most common injuries that result from semi-truck accidents, such as jackknife crashes:
- Bone fractures
- Cuts and lacerations
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury
- Internal bleeding
- Back or neck injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Death or dismemberment
Even if you experience only minor injuries from a jackknife accident, you could still be eligible to seek compensation. The best way to understand your legal options is to speak to a truck accident attorney.
Legal Options for Injury Victims After Jackknife Accidents
After a jackknife accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim for compensation. This compensation may cover costs you incurred for seeking medical attention, property damage to your vehicle, and more.
If you choose to file a personal injury claim, you typically file the claim with an insurance company. Who will be named as the liable party in the claim may depend on the state you live in and how the state considers fault, such as through a no-fault principle or other consideration of fault.
For example, Florida is a no-fault state, which means that each person involved in a car or truck accident files an injury claim with their own insurance company. However, your situation may differ if your injuries are extreme and well exceed a typical personal injury protection policy (PIP).
In this case, you may be able to take the next step and file a personal injury lawsuit against the truck driver, trucking company, or other party responsible for your accident. A truck accident lawyer can help you understand whether you should file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. They will help you determine the liable party, examine the damages involved in your case, and provide sound legal advice for your next best steps.
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Compensatory Damages In Jackknifing Truck Accident Cases
Injuries caused in semi-truck crashes may lead to a number of compensatory damages, or compensation intended to repay a person for what they lost after an accident. This could include your medical costs, lost wages from time missed at work while in recovery, and much more. Some common damages you may be able to claim after a jackknife accident include:
- Medical bills: to cover emergency room visits, prescriptions, surgery costs, and more
- Lost wages: this could cover your salary or hourly wages, as well as benefits you may have missed while off work, such as healthcare coverage or 401k earnings
- Loss of earning capacity: if you experience serious injuries that affect your ability to work long-term
- Disability payments: for people who experience paralysis, disfigurement, or other severe injuries which affect their everyday quality of life
- Pain and suffering: to compensate people who lost a loved one, such as a spouse, for the emotional distress or anguish such an unexpected loss can cause
- Loss of companionship: attempts to legally atone for the sudden loss of a spouse or parent that can lead to loss of household income, savings, and more
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Reach out to Florin|Roebig for Help After A Jackknife Accident
Understanding personal injury law can be daunting. You can count on our law firm to explain the laws that apply to your case in a way that you can understand. Connect with the law offices of Florin|Roebig for help after a jackknife accident.
We have managed cases in many practice areas, including truck accidents, and we can put our knowledge to work for you. We work hard to establish a strong attorney-client relationship, from handling all communication with insurance adjusters, to offering you legal guidance from start to finish. Call now for a free case evaluation and to begin your injury claim today.
