California Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyers

Jackknife Truck Accident attorneys in California

The Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2017 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that there were 361 fatalities in 320 crashes involving 341 large trucks in 2017. Of these accidents, 87 were single-vehicle crashes, and 233 were multiple-vehicle crashes.

In an Analysis of Fatal Large Truck Crashes published in June 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that approximately 10 percent of combination truck occupant fatalities are associated with a jackknife, and more than 90 percent of jackknife fatalities involved a combination truck with a single trailer. NHTSA also stated that the mean total trailer weight of large combination trucks that experience a jackknife tends to be less than the mean total trailer weight of large combination trucks that do not experience a jackknife, which suggests that as the total trailer weight decreases, the probability of a jackknife increases.

California Jackknife Accident Attorney

Did you sustain severe injuries or was your loved one killed in a jackknife accident in California? Getting answers might be hard, but it does not have to be impossible.

The May Firm will work tirelessly to determine the cause of your accident and then we will make sure every negligent party is held accountable. Call (844) 629-3476 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.

Causes of Jackknife Accidents

Many different conditions or driver actions could cause a commercial truck to jackknife. In some cases, the brakes may have locked but it is also possible for a trailer to jackknife because of slick roads.

Some trucks jackknife after they have been involved in motor vehicle accidents. Other common causes of jackknifing accident may include, but are not limited to:

• Aggressive driving
• Brake failure
• Distracted driving
• Driver fatigue
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol
• Failure to maintain vehicle
• Failure to yield
• Inadequate driver training
• Inclement weather
• Mechanical defects
• Overloaded trailers
• Reckless driving
• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Unsecured loads

You will want to contact the May Firm as soon as possible so we can conduct an independent investigation of your crash. While you are at your accident scene, you should try to take as many pictures as you possibly can of everything involved.

Also be sure to look for people who might have seen your crash. Get the names and phone numbers of these individuals in case they are needed as witnesses.

Types of Jackknife Accident Injuries

When a truck jackknifes, its trailer can swing wildly from the side and multiple other vehicles can be struck. The extent of the injuries people suffer in these cases will depend on numerous factors, but many individuals can sustain extremely severe injuries that require many months of recovery.

Some people will require full-time assistance at home with their daily needs. Many others will be unable to return to work for extended periods of time, and some injuries may render people permanently unemployable.

Some of the injuries the May Firm has handled in jackknife accident cases include, but are not limited to:

• Fractures
• Sprains
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Muscle strains
• Neck injuries
• Internal organ injuries
• Paralysis

Most injuries will result in significant costs for victims, and insurance companies are not concerned about doing the right thing in these cases. An insurer’s only commitment is to its bottom line, and this typically comes at the expense of jackknife accident victims.

If an insurance company offers you a lump sum settlement that you know is not going to be enough to cover your full lifetime of care, do not try to negotiate your own agreement. Let the experienced attorneys at the May Firm do the heavy lifting for you, as we can take the necessary measures to try your case in court when an insurance company refuses to compensate you appropriately.

Contact a Jackknife Accident Lawyer in California

If you suffered serious injuries or your loved one was killed in a jackknife accident in California, try to get yourself legal representation as soon as you are able. The May Firm can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our firm understands the many ways that serious injuries affect not only victims, but their entire families. We will assess all of your legal options when you call (844) 629-3476 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.