A jackknife truck accident occurs when an object, force, or other factor causes the truck’s trailer to swing around and go parallel to the vehicle’s cab. This often leads to severe collisions, causing catastrophic and even deadly injuries.
Jackknife truck accidents in Bethlehem place everyone on the roadway at risk of imminent harm. However, determining who is at fault and holding them accountable for your losses can be challenging, as multiple parties may bear liability.
Our experienced attorneys at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can take the lead in your case while you focus on healing. In one case, we recovered $5 million for the family of a woman killed after she was ejected from a vehicle that collided with a truck on Route 80. Our firm is here to help you seek justice for the harm you didn’t deserve.
What Causes Jackknife Truck Accidents?
Various factors can cause the trailer and cab of a truck to travel in different directions and potentially collide with other vehicles on the road. Negligent behaviors that commonly cause these types of wrecks include:
Other factors, such as an improperly loaded or overweight trailer or a trailer incorrectly connected to the cab, could also result in a jackknife collision. Your seasoned Bethlehem lawyer can investigate the truck crash to determine what caused the jackknifing.
Common Injuries from Jackknifing Trucks
Factors like the type of roadway and speed of the truck can significantly impact the outcome of these accidents. In any situation, a jackknifing truck poses a severe danger to anyone else on the road. A folding tractor-trailer truck can easily collide with or crush cars and pedestrians in its path, often leading to multi-vehicle pileups.
Some of the most common jackknife truck accident injuries include broken and shattered bones, head and brain injuries, neck injuries, and back injuries. Internal bleeding, damage to internal organs, and even the loss of a limb can occur in these collisions. Those injured in jackknife truck crashes may need significant medical attention, making it important to work with a Bethlehem attorney on a claim for compensation.
Filing a Claim After a Jackknife Truck Collision in Bethlehem
When filing a claim for injuries suffered in a jackknife truck crash in Bethlehem, it is important to be aware of the statute of limitations. This is the final deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit; in Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the collision. In most cases, missing the two-year deadline can prevent you from getting the compensation you would otherwise be entitled to.
Compensation after a jackknife truck collision can take multiple forms, as the attorneys at our firm can explain. A successful claim typically includes compensation for your economic losses, such as past and future medical bills and lost wages. You could also be compensated for your non-economic losses, such as pain, suffering, and psychological trauma resulting from the accident.
Speak with a Bethlehem Jackknife Truck Accident Injury Attorney
When a terrible roadway collision happens because someone else was careless, you should not have to pay for the consequences of their actions. This is especially true for incidents as severe as jackknife truck accidents in Bethlehem.
At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, we understand the tactics insurance companies often use to avoid paying out claims. When it comes to going after compensation for your injuries, you need a winning lawyer on your side who can safeguard your rights and fight for what you deserve. You won’t owe us anything until we win compensation on your behalf, so call now for a free consultation.
