Large trucks and tractor-trailers are an essential part of commerce in Atlanta, but these large vehicles are also a major hazard to other drivers. When a large truck jackknifes on a highway or road, the potential for catastrophic injuries is high. Jackknife accidents are often the result of driver negligence. When this is the case, your injuries suffered as a result may be compensable through a personal injury lawsuit.
If you suffered injuries as the result of a jackknife truck accident in Atlanta, get in touch with a well-versed injury attorney. Our firm is ready to discuss your case with you.
What is a Jackknife Accident?
Jackknife truck accidents are unique to tractor-trailers. These tractor-trailers are made up of two parts: a cab and a trailer. While they are connected, they are able to operate independently from one another. A jackknife occurs when the trailer and the cab get out of sync, causing them to fold up similar to a pocketknife.
These accidents can vary from minor loss of control of the vehicle to complete loss of control. It is difficult for drivers to recover once the truck has jackknifed severely. It is often the case that jackknife accidents are caused by driver negligence. When this is the case, an injured plaintiff can hold the truck driver, their employer, and an insurance company responsible for their damages.
Causes of Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents can be caused by several different factors. Environmental factors may cause jackknife accidents, such as:
- Curvy roads
- Unstable or improperly balances loads in the truck trailer
- Slippery roads
- High speed highways
- Poor lighting conditions
- Empty trailers
- Tire blowouts
Drivers are expected to drive responsibly even in these types of conditions, and compensate properly for them. While ice may not be the driver’s fault, unsafe driving on the ice may be.
Other jackknife accidents are caused by driver error. These errors likely constitute negligence, making the driver responsible for the accident and the plaintiff’s injuries. Common mistakes made by tractor-trailer drivers includes, but is not limited to:
- Sudden steering changes
- Taking curves at too high a speed
- Over-braking by slamming on truck brakes
- Driving at excessive speeds
- Failure to watch blind spots
- Driver fatigue
- Failure to account for improperly balanced trailer loads
Driver negligence can lead to severe injuries for other drivers on the roads. Jackknifed trucks may be the cause of multi-car pileups and other dangerous accidents.
Obtaining Compensation Following a Jackknife Accident
When a jackknife accident causes another driver injury, they are permitted to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek financial compensation for those injuries. Responsible parties may include the driver, the driver’s employer, insurance companies, or manufacturers of defective parts, among others.
Financial compensation that may be won by an injured plaintiff includes:
- Loss of income
- Lost future earning capacity
- Future and past medical bills
- Pain and suffering damages
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages
This financial compensation requires proving a plaintiff’s claim in court. A skilled truck accident lawyer in Atlanta knows how to present the case and seek the highest potential compensation for an injured plaintiff.
Contact a Jackknife Truck Accident Attorney in Atlanta
Jackknife accidents are dangerous and may have been caused by driver negligence. The severe injuries caused by these accidents can change your life forever and have a devastating effect on your finances. You should not have to be responsible for these costs.
If you were harmed as the result of a jackknife truck accident in Atlanta, an experienced personal injury attorney is ready to fight for you. Contact us today.