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Evansville Jackknife Accidents Attorneys
Semi-truck accidents are some of the most dangerous and deadly accidents on Indiana roadways. In fact, according to data from the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, Indiana ranks as one of the top ten states where large trucks are involved in fatal accidents. Jackknifing trucks pose one of the most serious threats to the safety of other motorists.
A jackknifed truck can sweep other cars into its path, hitting them, even dragging them along the road. There is also a high likelihood of the truck overturning or rolling over, crushing other vehicles in its wake. A truck that has jackknifed can also lose its cargo and spread hazardous debris all over the road, posing a hazard for unsuspecting motorists. All these scenarios lead to one thing, serious and sometimes even fatal injuries for motorists involved in the accident.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a jackknife 18-wheeler accident, chances are you are suffering from very serious injuries. At Chapman Injury Lawyers, we understand the pain and trauma you are going through as you try to get your life back in order. You may still be in the hospital while the bills start to pile up, and insurance adjusters hound you to sign over your legal rights for a check.
Will that check be enough to cover your medical expenses today? What about tomorrow, or one year from now when you need physical therapy? Don’t let the trucking company’s lawyers and insurers frighten you into making a poor decision because you’re hurt and anxious about the future. Call Chapman Injury Lawyers at (812) 461-6261 for a free consultation about the details of your case. We don’t want you to settle for anything less than fair compensation.
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What is a Jackknife Accident?
“Jackknifing” is a term that describes a particular type of large truck accident where the two parts of the truck, the cab and the trailer it pulls, folds in on itself. The cab and the trailer bend or swivel at the place where they are joined forming a 90-degree angle or a “V” shape.
The term was coined because the accident resembles a pocketknife blade folding into its handle when closing. Jackknifing accidents are extremely serious and can cause massive damage, even death. The swinging trailer can easily sweep up other vehicles in its path or spill the contents of the trailer out onto the road, setting up another series of accidents.
There are many factors that can lead to a jackknifing accident on Indiana roadways. Typically, a jackknife accident will result from severe braking or skidding of the truck. However, other factors can lead to a jackknifing accident as well. Here are a few examples:
Jackknifing accidents can be the result of negligent behavior on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company, or even the company responsible for loading the truck with cargo. Examples of negligence that could contribute to a serious crash include:
In the event of a jackknifing accident, we tend to look to the driver first as the source of the blame. However, truck accidents can be very complicated, and more than one party may be responsible for causing the accident. Other than the truck driver themselves, the trucking company, the cargo loading company, even the truck or parts manufacturer could also be held liable for a jackknifing accident.
How is that possible? For instance, a trucking company may be partly responsible for an accident if it can be proven that they were negligent in their hiring practices or failed to properly inspect and maintain the safety of the truck. A cargo loading company could share part of the liability in an accident if it can be determined that they improperly loaded or secured the truck’s cargo. A manufacturer may bear responsibility if they created a defective part that contributed to the accident.
With so many avenues to explore it can be difficult to pin down how an accident happened and who is to blame without the help of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney. Trucking companies, manufacturers, and cargo loaders don’t want to be dragged into a lengthy investigation that will cost them money. That is why trucking companies have teams of lawyers and insurers at their disposal. They want to pay you off and move on, regardless of whether that money will be enough to cover all your expensive medical bills. By accepting their settlement, no questions asked, you are giving away all your legal rights to hold them accountable for their negligence.
Don’t sign or accept anything until you have spoken to an attorney who understands how to handle large truck accidents. Jackknifing accidents leave serious damage in their wake, damage you could be forced to deal with for the rest of your life. Instead, hire a lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Make no mistake, truck accidents are very different from regular passenger vehicle accidents. Not only can 80,000- pound fully loaded trucks do much more damage, the number of liable parties involved makes these cases extremely challenging. Getting legal representation right away is a smart idea after a truck accident because to get a fair compensation you need to prove fault. Trucks may have valuable evidence like in-cab video recorders, safety logbooks, maintenance records, and even cell phone records that an attorney may be able to secure on your behalf, before that evidence is lost or destroyed.
The injuries that can result from a jackknife accident could be life-altering. You may have ongoing medical expenses or changes you need to make to your home or lifestyle in order to accommodate you. A trucking company or their insurance provider doesn’t care about what tomorrow holds for you, they want to pay you the minimum they can get away with and move on. It’s about their bottom line, not yours.
You need someone who you can trust to fight for your rights and get you the compensation that you need so you can rebuild your life. This goes beyond money; this is about securing peace of mind for you and your family.
You need someone who you can trust to fight for your rights and get you the compensation that you need so you can rebuild your life. This goes beyond money; this is about securing peace of mind for you and your family.
Don’t face this alone.
NEIL CHAPMAN, LAWYER