Did you suffer injuries in a jackknife semi-truck accident in Albany, GA? Truck accident injuries can lead to unimaginable pain, sky-high medical bills, and financial strain — especially if your injuries keep you from working. Nothing makes matters worse than realizing someone could have prevented the crash if they had just been more careful. You deserve compensation for what happened, and an experienced truck accident attorney can help you pursue it.
At Parker Trial Law, we are committed to maximizing the case value for our clients. That means thoroughly investigating every Albany truck accident, determining what caused it, and holding the at-fault party(s) accountable for their mistakes — no matter how deep their pockets or how powerful their defense teams may be.
The trucking industry is governed by complex rules, making it challenging to unravel the chain of responsibility without legal help. You don’t have to do it alone. Contact our law firm today to arrange a free consultation with an Albany jackknife truck accident lawyer.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
A jackknife truck accident is a type of crash specific to articulated vehicles like tractor-trailers. Jackknifes occur when a truck’s trailer swings around the cab in a motion resembling the shape of a folding pocketknife.
Typically, jackknife accidents happen when the trailer loses traction and skids, often due to sudden braking, slick road conditions, or improper maneuvering. While jackknife truck accidents only accounted for 3.5 percent of fatal collisions and less than one percent of injury collisions involving large commercial trucks in a recent year, these collisions are especially dangerous. That’s because they can span multiple lanes of traffic, causing pileups and endangering nearby motorists.
How an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
The Albany truck accident lawyers with Parker Trial Law are dedicated to helping truck accident victims demand fair compensation for their losses after a collision. While you rest and recover, we can get to work:
- Investigating the truck crash to determine what happened and who’s to blame
- Documenting your losses to place an appropriate value on your claim
- Filing demand letters and negotiating with the at-fault parties and their insurers
- Taking your case to trial if the liable parties refuse to make a fair settlement
- Never charging a fee unless we win
- Keeping you informed about the progress of your truck accident case
Since 2016, our law firm has recovered numerous six- and seven-figure verdicts and settlements for the wrongfully injured. Don’t wait another moment to assert your rights. Reach out to our Albany truck accident attorneys to learn your legal options.
Why Do Jackknife Accidents Happen?
Jackknife truck accidents occur due to a combination of factors affecting the stability and control of commercial motor vehicles. They most often happen when a truck’s trailer loses traction and swings uncontrollably, eventually swinging around toward the cab and causing the entire rig to lose control. While some causes are linked to external conditions like weather or road surfaces, others result from negligent driver behavior or equipment failure.
The most common causes of jackknife truck accidents include:
- Sudden braking – Abrupt stops can cause the trailer to skid, especially if the truck is traveling at high speed or the driver applies the brakes unevenly.
- Slippery roads – Wet, icy, or oil-slicked roads reduce traction, making it easier for the trailer to slide.
- Improper loading – Overloaded or unevenly distributed cargo can destabilize the trailer, increasing the risk of jackknifing.
- Speeding – Driving too fast for road conditions reduces the truck driver’s ability to control the truck, particularly during sharp turns or sudden stops.
- Driver fatigue – Tired truckers have delayed reaction times, which could cause them to slam the brakes when they realize a crash is imminent, causing a jackknife.
- Faulty brakes or equipment – Poorly maintained brakes, worn tires, or malfunctioning anti-lock braking systems (ABS) can lead to mechanical failures that contribute to jackknife crashes.
- Aggressive maneuvering – Swerving, weaving through lanes, or making expected turns could cause the trailer to swing out.
Truck accident cases often involve several contributing factors. For this reason, it’s essential to consult an experienced truck accident lawyer to determine liability. The claims process gets much more complicated when multiple parties are to blame.
Who Is Responsible for Jackknife Truck Accidents?
Liability for a jackknife accident depends on the specific circumstances of your case. Potential defendants in a truck accident lawsuit could include:
- The negligent truck driver – The trucker is most directly responsible for handling the semi-truck safely and could be liable if they were speeding, fatigued, distracted, or failed to adjust to road conditions.
- The trucking company – Truck companies can be responsible if they fail to properly train drivers, enforce unsafe schedules, or neglect regular vehicle maintenance.
- Third-party maintenance workers – A maintenance crew that performed substandard work or failed to identify and repair mechanical problems might share responsibility for a jackknife accident.
- Cargo loaders – Federal law sets specific rules for cargo securement. If shifting freight caused the collision, the loading company may be liable.
- The truck manufacturer – A manufacturer could be liable if faulty parts or equipment caused the truck to jackknife.
- Other drivers – Trucks share the road with other motorists who may have driven negligently.
With help from a truck accident attorney, you can hold every at-fault party accountable for their role in the crash that injured you. However, you can expect the insurance company to put up a fight. Commercial truck accident cases often result in severe injuries, driving up the value of the case. You can count on insurers to do everything possible to minimize the value of your jackknife truck accident claim.
Contact Parker Trial Law for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one sustained serious injuries in a jackknife truck accident, the road to compensation could be fraught with obstacles. Let Parker Trial Law clear the way. Our skilled personal injury lawyers have the legal muscle to build a robust claim that stands up to the fiercest disputes.
Ready to stand up for your rights? Call or contact us today for advice from a proven truck jackknife accident lawyer in Albany, GA. The first consultation is free.
