Jackknifed Semi Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents with semis are always scary, but tractor-trailer crashes get even more terrifying when you have a 50 foot jackknifed semi-trailer skidding into your path.

A “jackknife” accident occurs when the trailer of a semi-truck keeps skidding past the cab once the vehicle loses control. The typical scenario is that the trailer loses traction or its brakes fail to stop at the same time as the cab. The trailer then swings around or skids dangerously. Sometimes, it will even decouple, overturning onto additional vehicles or sliding downhill to cause further damage.

Fully loaded, a tractor-trailer combination can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. A trailer loaded down with cargo and jackknifing out of control can cause major damage. People tangled up in the jackknife accident will likely sustain major injuries — or possibly even die.

Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers are there for these accident victims, providing them with a truck accident attorney who can help them seek compensation for their accident costs. We work hard to take the stress and uncertainty out of filing a truck accident claim. Our only goal is to help you seek the maximum amount of compensation available.

Call (855) 969-5624 or contact us online to schedule a 100% free, zero obligation appointment with a truck accident lawyer today. We’ll help you understand your legal options and, potentially, take the first steps towards filing a claim.

Jackknife Accident Statistics

A jackknifed semi can be devastating, but fortunately, it is becoming less and less common. In the 1990s, federal regulators began to require all trucks and trailers to carry anti-lock braking systems (ABS). Trailers are now also equipped with automatic braking in the event that they become decoupled or otherwise disconnected from the main cab’s systems.

Still, a jackknifed semi-truck accident can and does still happen. Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reveals that just under 5,200 jackknifed semi-trailer accidents occurred in 2016. An estimated 2,000 jackknife accidents resulted in injuries and 194 deaths. While semi-truck jackknifes happened only about 1% of the time for total accidents, they accounted for 5% of fatal truck accidents overall.

Common reasons that a jackknife can occur include:

Icy or slippery conditions
ABS failure or major safety system failure
Driver inexperience
Fatigued drivers
Driver distractions
Driving too fast for conditions
Improper maneuvers after a first incident
Drivers under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, or OTCs

Damages Available After a Jackknifed Semi Accident

Once you have been involved in an accident with a jackknifed semi-truck, you may have major injuries. You may need surgery or to be hospitalized for an extended period. Many jackknifed truck accident victims have traumatic brain injuries (TBI), permanent physical limitations, or disability as a result of their collision.

Your bills for treatment, hospital stays, and rehabilitation all add up. On top of that, you will likely miss work while you recover. Add to that your out-of-pocket expenses for prescriptions, copays and more, and you are likely to have significant debt in the aftermath of your accident.

Filing an injury claim against the employer of the truck driver — or other potentially liable parties — can give you the means to seek repayment for all of your losses. If the truck driver, their employer, or a related third party was negligent, then the at-fault person or company is legally obligated to repay your losses. If they cannot agree to a reasonable insurance settlement offer, they can be sued and have the case tried in court in front of a jury.

This is the process your truck accident lawyer will use to help you seek the maximum compensation available for all of your accident losses. They will rigorously review all of your medical bills and other expenses in order to calculate an accurate total of your cumulative damages.

Your attorney will also consult with medical and economic professionals to provide a legal justification that all of your accident costs were reasonable, necessary, and directly related to the incident.

Damages that can be claimed include:

Medical expenses, past, and future
Lost wages
Out of pocket expenses
Pain and suffering
Loss of earning capacity (if permanently disabled)
Loss of a limb, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement
Funeral and burial expenses (wrongful death)
Loss of lifetime income and benefits (wrongful death)

What to Do After You Are Hurt by a Jackknifed Semi-Trailer

If you are seriously hurt, remain stationary until medical personnel can safely evacuate you
If you can safely move, immediately check on the health and safety of everyone involved in the accident. Provide any reasonable emergency assistance you are capable of.
Call 911 to report the accident. Wait for police personnel to arrive.
Capture photos of the immediate aftermath of the accident, including your vehicle damage and injuries. If you can safely move your vehicle out of the path of the roadway, do so immediately afterward.
Gather a statement from all willing eyewitnesses. Obtain their contact information.
Provide a full, accurate statement to police officers. Do not assume blame or accuse others of fault. Do not admit fault. The fault will be determined after an investigation.
Receive all medical treatment offered if you are hurt. Do not refuse an ambulance if you have a serious injury. If you do not go in an ambulance, have someone take you to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible. Do not delay treatment.
Give a full, accurate description of all your medical symptoms. Describe the accident to allow the practitioner to offer a full diagnosis. Consent to all tests needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Save copies of all your medical documentation and billing information.
Do not provide specific information about the accident, your injuries, your current costs, or other subjective matters to insurance representatives. Say that this information will be offered following an investigation of the accident and further diagnosis and treatment.
Never sign anything an insurer offers you without having an attorney review it. Do not give a recorded statement. Do not consent to share your full medical records. Do not agree to an initial settlement offer until your full diagnosis and injury costs are known.
Speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as you can to build a strong claim and examine all of your legal strategies available.

Schedule a Free Case Review with Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers

Hiring an attorney is one of the only ways to know that you have claimed all of your available damages and that you are using the best legal strategies available to help your claim.

Auger & Auger Accident and Injury lawyers fight against big corporate interests to try and convince insurers that you deserve a full, fair settlement. If no reasonable settlement can be reached, we can take your case to court.

Call (855) 969-5624 or contact us online today to find out why we have a reputation for going above and beyond for our clients and to schedule your free, no-obligation case review.