Katy Jackknife Truck Accident Attorney
Many passenger vehicle drivers do not survive jackknife crashes, particularly when their vehicle is crushed or trapped underneath the truck or trailer. If you were injured in a jackknife truck collision, you have the right to sue the negligent driver or trucking company for compensation. Here at The West Law Office, our Katy jackknife truck accident attorneys can help you get started on a personal injury claim seeking compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
What is a Jackknife Accident?
Imagine a jackknife (which is another term for a pocket knife) in which the blade folds up into the handle. Now, imagine a semi-truck or any vehicle that is pulling a trailer doing the same thing on the highway. This is called jackknifing. A truck that jackknifes does not always cause a crash, but the chances of another vehicle hitting it from behind or being struck from the side are very high, given how much road a jackknifing truck takes up, and the abrupt speed change that goes along with such a crash.
How Does a Jackknife Accident Occur?
When the truck skids it brakes, the trailer that it is towing can essentially continue pushing the truck forward. If it has enough momentum, the trailer can begin to spin the vehicle around until it eventually faces backwards, or a 90-degree angle. Causes for a truck to skid out abruptly like this include:
- Speeding and having to come to a quick stop;
- Driving too fast on icy or wet roads and having to slam the brakes on;
- Reckless driving;
- Overloaded truck;
- A driver looking down at his or her phone, then looking up to see a slow down ahead;
- Equipment failure; and
- Improper maintenance of the truck or trailer’s braking system.
Driver or Trucking Company Negligent
As with virtually all collisions, jackknife crashes are usually caused by driver negligence. This can include speeding, aggressive driving tactics, distracted driving, fatigued driving, drunk driving, following too closely, and more. Other causes that may not be the truck driver’s fault, but the trucking company’s, may include overloading the vehicle, using outdated braking technology, failure to maintain the truck and trailer, using bad or worn out tires, or not properly distributing the weight within the cargo hold. No matter the cause, an experienced attorney can hold the trucking company liable for your damages.
Contact a Katy Highway Accident Attorney Today
While the cause of the crash may be clear and the fault of the truck driver obvious, do not assume that you will be quickly and easily compensated for your damages. The other party may offer you a low settlement amount, but your claim is probably worth much more than what they say it is. Serious jackknife claims take many months to resolve, and it is important that you work with an experienced attorney to ensure that your rights are protected. Contact the Katy jackknife truck accident attorneys at The West Law Office today at 283-347-3247 to schedule a free consultation.
