Alabama averaged approximately 9,000 commercial truck accidents per year over a recent 10-year period, resulting in roughly 2,000 injuries and over 100 deaths per year, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation. Jackknife accidents are some of the most severe of these truck crashes.
Victims of jackknife truck accidents in Decatur frequently suffer life-altering injuries and financial burdens. Seeking assistance from our experienced jackknife accident lawyers is essential for injured individuals and their families as they seek compensation for their catastrophic injuries and losses. Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., has an extensive record of achieving significant results for injured people. For example, our truck accident lawyers secured a $785,000 settlement from a trucking company for permanent injuries in a tractor-trailer crash.
If you suffered injuries in a jackknife accident caused by a negligent truck driver, call 256-274-8130 or contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., to set up a free consultation with a Decatur truck accident lawyer to discuss your case and your legal options.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
A jackknife truck accident happens when the trailer portion of a semi-truck catches up with the cab and folds the truck like a jackknife. The jackknifing action can cause the truck to skid, roll over, or be unable to stop, leading it to crash into other vehicles on the road.
In the jackknife position, the truck will often take up multiple lanes, increasing the number of potential victims and the damage caused by the wreck. That is why these accidents are so dangerous. Rather than hitting one vehicle, a jackknifed truck can hit traffic that isn’t even in the same lane.
Jackknife truck accidents have three main causes:
- Driver negligence, such as speeding, can significantly contribute to a truck jackknifing.
- Improperly loaded cargo can result in a weight imbalance that destabilizes the trailer.
- Brake failure, especially when going downhill, can cause the truck to go too fast, resulting in jackknifing if the driver tries to slow down, turn, or otherwise maneuver the vehicle.
- Weather conditions, such as wet or icy roads, can cause the trailer to slide out from behind the truck, leading it to jackknife.
What Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., Can Do for You After a Jackknife Accident in Decatur
The Decatur jackknife truck accident lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., help injured people by:
- Investigating the accident – Our team will investigate the accident that caused your injuries to gather evidence and identify all responsible parties.
- Providing legal advice – We will provide legal advice whenever you need it regarding your case to help you make the best decisions.
- Calculating your damages – We will calculate your total losses based on your economic and non-economic damages, often with the help of medical and financial experts.
- Filing your claim – We will file your personal injury claim within the two-year deadline imposed by Alabama’s statute of limitations. You must file your truck accident claim within this period to protect your legal right to seek compensation.
- Negotiating with insurance companies – Our experienced truck accident lawyers will negotiate for a full and fair settlement from the insurance company and advise you against accepting an offer that isn’t in your best interest.
- Representing you at trial – If the insurance company refuses to provide a fair settlement offer, we’ll represent you at trial and seek the maximum compensation available.
Read more about previous clients’ experiences with Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., by checking out our client testimonials. For example, T.N. wrote, “Working with Morris, King & Hodge was quick and easy! Hodge was determined, respectful, honest, and willing to get what I deserved and more!”
How Trucker Negligence Leads to Jackknife Wrecks
The truck driver and other responsible parties could be liable for your injuries if their negligent actions caused the jackknife accident. Some ways negligence causes jackknife wrecks include:
- Speeding – If the truck driver was speeding at the time of the accident, that could be evidence that they were acting negligently.
- Distracted driving – If the driver was distracted by their phone, food, or something else, they were acting negligently by not paying attention to the road.
- Improper loading – If the truck’s cargo wasn’t secure, the driver or loader could be liable for a resulting jackknife accident.
- Improper maintenance – If the truck didn’t undergo necessary and proper maintenance, the driver, trucking company, or maintenance provider could be liable.
- Weather conditions – If the driver didn’t alter their driving to accommodate adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain or ice, they may be liable for jackknifing.
Determining Liability for Jackknife Accidents in Decatur
Parties who may be entirely or partially liable for your injuries from a jackknife truck accident could include:
- Truck drivers who were speeding, driving distracted, or were negligent in another way
- Trucking companies whose policies regarding driver shifts or truck maintenance caused or contributed to the accident
- Truck maintenance providers who failed to properly maintain the truck and truck’s trailer, such as by checking and replacing brakes
- Truck and parts manufacturers whose products were defective
- Truck cargo loaders who failed to properly secure the cargo, leading it to shift in transit
- Other motorists whose actions caused the truck driver to take evasive action, leading to the truck jackknifing
Establishing liability involves conducting a comprehensive investigation, including gathering all relevant evidence, to prove the driver, their employer, another party, or some combination thereof were responsible for the crash. The Decatur truck accident lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., take pride in putting substantial time, energy, and resources into the accident investigation process.
Common Injuries and Recoverable Compensation After a Decatur Jackknife Truck Accident
Some of the most common serious injuries suffered by victims of jackknife truck accidents are:
- Traumatic brain injuries – These life-changing injuries, which occur when the brain strikes the skull, can cause permanent mobility issues and diminished cognitive abilities.
- Spinal cord injuries – These injuries can result in severe mobility issues, including permanent paralysis.
- Broken bones – Some of the most common injuries after truck accidents include broken bones in the hands, arms, legs, and ribs.
- Lacerations – Broken glass, jagged metal, and other sharp objects can cause severe lacerations that require stitches or cause life-threatening blood loss.
- Internal injuries – Among the most life-threatening injuries, internal injury symptoms may take hours or days to appear, delaying life-saving treatment.
If you suffered injuries in a Decatur jackknife truck crash, our commercial truck accident attorneys can help you seek compensation for:
- Medical bills – This includes the costs for your surgeries, hospital stays, medical treatments, prescription medications, medical devices, and physical therapy related to your truck accident injuries.
- Lost wages – If your injuries prevent you from working temporarily or permanently, you can seek compensation for lost wages and loss of future earning potential. You may also be able to seek compensation for lost benefits, such as retirement account contributions and health insurance.
- Pain and suffering – You can pursue compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experience due to your injuries resulting from the accident.
- Diminished quality of life – You could be entitled to compensation if your injuries prevent you from doing things you enjoy.
Get Help from Our Decatur Jackknife Truck Accident Attorneys Now
Have you suffered an injury caused by a jackknifing truck? If so, call 256-274-8130 or contact a Decatur truck accident attorney at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your legal options, and help you take action quickly to pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.
