Rather than being permanently attached to the truck’s frame like the storage space in a box truck, the trailer component of a tractor-trailer connects to the tractor in front of it by a single freely rotating joint. This means that if a tractor-trailer truck driver loses control of their vehicle and it goes into a skid, the trailer can swing out in a different direction and sometimes at a different speed from the cab.
At high speeds, this scenario can cause a truck to contort into an angled jackknife shape, potentially covering multiple traffic lanes and colliding with other vehicles before it comes to a stop. Jackknife truck accidents in Crown Point cause serious harm, and if you were involved in one, you should strongly consider contacting a seasoned truck injury attorney from The Law Offices of David W. Holub for assistance with filing suit over this unique type of wreck.
How Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies Can Cause Jackknifes
Many types of collisions between semi-trucks and passenger cars can happen on any road at any speed. However, jackknife truck crashes in Crown Point and throughout the Hoosier State virtually always happen on major highways, since an incident like this can only occur if a truck’s trailer is moving at high speeds behind its cab.
Naturally, going over the speed limit and taking sharp turns too quickly are particularly common ways for truck drivers to cause jackknife wrecks, but this kind of crash can also stem from broader forms of negligent behavior, such as distracted driving, drunk driving, or driving while extremely fatigued. Trucking companies and third-party suppliers can also contribute to accidents of this nature by illegally overloading trucks or failing to properly secure cargo before transit. Our team could help identify exactly who is to blame for a client’s injuries and make sure they are held financially accountable.
What Damages Are Available Through a Jackknife Truck Crash Claim?
A jackknifing truck tends to collide with multiple vehicles at once, often totaling these vehicles in a way that causes occupants to suffer serious physical injuries. Unfortunately, this means that the negative effects of jackknife truck wrecks around Crown Point usually linger a lot longer than those associated with other types of auto accidents, and many are both debilitating and irreversible.
Therefore, the goal of filing civil suit over this type of accident is not always to restore an injured person completely to their pre-accident condition, but instead to mitigate long-term harm stemming from their injuries by compensating them for losses such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost work income or earning capacity
- Personal property damage and related expenses
- Disability-related costs for wheelchairs, home modifications, etc.
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and trauma
- Lost enjoyment of life
We could provide crucial help with identifying, valuing, and proactively demanding restitution for every compensable damage a client can connect to their wreck.
Speak With a Crown Point Attorney After a Jackknife Truck Accident
A jackknifing truck is one of the most frightening sights you can see on a major highway like Interstate 65 or even on a smaller local highway, such as US-231. No matter where it happens or who specifically is to blame for it, however, filing suit over jackknife truck accidents in Crown Point can be far from a simple process, especially if you attempt to navigate the process alone.
At The Law Offices of David W. Holub, we have extensive experience taking on and winning cases much like yours on behalf of people much like you. Contact us today to discuss your potential recovery options.