When a tractor-trailer loses traction with the road, the trailer can skid out to the side or fully in front of the cab while still connected at the truck’s central hinge. Trucks that slide into this “jackknife” shape are completely out of the driver’s control and often end up hitting other vehicles before coming to a stop, potentially causing serious and even fatal injuries.
Jackknife truck accidents in Allentown are traumatic and devastating for everybody involved. Anyone who causes or contributes to a wreck by acting recklessly or carelessly should be held accountable for their misconduct. If you were recently hurt by a jackknifing truck, help is available from a seasoned attorney at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers. We will fight tirelessly to ensure you’re paid fairly for your losses.
Who is At Fault for a Jackknife Truck Crash?
Most jackknife truck accidents happen because of negligent truck driving. Commercial trucks are much more likely to lose traction and skid if the driver exceeds the speed limit, drives too fast in rainy or snowy weather, takes a sharp turn, drives under the influence, or drives while overly fatigued. Any trucker who acts irresponsibly is generally “at fault” in legal terms for any crash that happens immediately afterward.
However, people injured by jackknifing trucks can also be found partly to blame for their own injuries based on their own negligent actions. For example, suppose a driver only hit a jackknifing truck because they were speeding. In that case, a court might assign them a percentage of fault for the accident. Based on that percentage, the court could reduce the total amount of money they can receive through their civil claim or even prohibit them from getting paid at all. Working with an Allentown attorney is crucial to getting fair compensation after a jackknife truck collision.
Compensation for a Jackknife Trucking Accident
Assuming there aren’t any issues with “comparative fault” in your jackknife truck accident claim, you and your Allentown lawyer can seek compensation through a settlement demand or lawsuit for damages like:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Past and future medical bills
- Car replacement or repair costs, plus other personal property damage
- Lost ability to work or lost earnings
It’s important to start the legal process as soon as possible, as Pennsylvania law sets a two-year filing deadline on most personal injury cases. If you wait more than two years after getting hurt in a jackknife wreck to formally file a lawsuit, you’ll likely be barred from recovering any money for your losses. The sooner you reach out to the skilled attorneys at our firm after a jackknife wreck, the sooner we can begin fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Call an Allentown Attorney After a Jackknife Truck Accident
A jackknifing truck can hit multiple other cars and seriously injure dozens of people at once. If you were recently hurt in this sort of wreck, taking legal action can make a huge difference in your ability to recover from your losses and protect your future.
Our firm has successfully handled many cases involving jackknife truck accidents in Allentown. In one case, we recovered $5 million for the family of a woman who was killed after she was ejected from a vehicle that collided with a truck on Route 80 in Union County. Let Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers be your steadfast legal advocates. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
