One of the most dangerous types of truck crashes involves a jackknifed vehicle. A jackknife accident happens when the trailer loses traction and swings up to the side of the tractor, creating a “V” shape. These accidents can be devastating.
Shane Smith Law has spent decades fighting back when truck drivers put the public at risk. Set up a consultation with a jackknife accident lawyer in Charlotte to learn what your legal rights are. You pay our Charlotte truck accident lawyer nothing upfront for our services. We have recovered over $100 million for our clients.
How Jackknife Accidents Happen in Charlotte
Trucks move through Charlotte on a daily basis, whether that is along Interstate 77 or 85 or along one of the many commercial roadways through the city. Jackknifing can happen at any location, including on and off ramps and around some of the tighter turns along the beltway. These trucks can jackknife for numerous reasons:
- Fast and hard braking. Trucks need significant distance to stop. If they slam on the brakes too fast, the trailer fails to slow down enough and overtakes the tractor. The trailer keeps moving forward, pushing the cab.
- Excessive speeding. Trucks operating too fast on poor road conditions are also likely to jackknife. The faster a truck is moving, the more room it needs to slow down and avoid hard braking.
- Cargo loading mistakes. Sometimes the trailer is too heavy for the vehicle or unbalanced. If cargo shifts, it changes the center of gravity and increases the risk of the driver losing control.
- Mechanical failures. Some truck accidents occur when a truck lacks proper routine maintenance and upkeep, especially regarding brakes and tires.
- Sharp maneuvers. If a truck driver tries to steer quickly in one direction or takes a turn at too sharp an angle, the trailer may be unable to keep up with the tractor, creating imbalance.
When jackknifing begins to occur, there is very little the truck driver can do at that moment to steer the vehicle out of harm’s way. They cannot slow down quickly enough, and these incidents often result in rollovers. This means any other vehicle or person in the way is likely to suffer serious injuries.
Speak with a Charlotte jackknife accident lawyer, and get a free consultation today.
Call (980) 294-4931Determining Fault in a Jackknife Truck Accident
Jackknifing can occur quickly and may seem to be beyond anyone’s control. Most of the time, this is a preventable incident that can be avoided with proper maintenance and care behind the wheel. That means someone failed to do their job and put you at risk. This might be:
- Truck drivers may be at fault when they speed, drive recklessly, or steer improperly.
- Trucking companies that employ unskilled or untrained drivers or fail to maintain their trucks could be at fault.
- Cargo loading companies may be responsible if they improperly load vehicles, leading to the accident.
- Truck manufacturers may be at fault if the problem is due to the truck’s design or to improperly manufactured parts.
- The city or state may be responsible if roads are the cause of the truck driver losing control.
A full investigation brings to light any potential instances of fault. As your lawyer will tell you, this investigation will pinpoint specific and critical evidence to support any claims made. Let Shane Smith Law review your case thoroughly before you agree to any settlement.
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How We Build Your Accident Case and Claim
A jackknifed truck is easy to spot after an accident, but proving what went wrong to lead to this situation is not as easy to do. Our team has experience with this process and has successfully taken on some of the largest commercial trucking companies. Expect our Charlotte jackknife accident attorney to do the following:
- Investigate fault through a full review of the evidence. We go beyond the police report. We pull all data from all sources, including commercial truck logs, dash camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction work.
- Identify all parties at fault. Expect our team to pursue legal action against any party that engaged in reckless action and exposed you to risk.
- Build a claim that includes all of the losses you have, including economic and non-economic losses. In some cases, you may qualify for punitive damages as well.
- Prove you are innocent. This is so important under the pure contributory fault laws in the state because if you are found even 1% at fault, you cannot pursue a claim for any of your losses.
- Negotiate compensation. Most of our clients see a settlement in their case after we negotiate a fair deal with you and the at-fault party. In situations where that is not possible, we will go to court to fight for you.
You must act within the state’s statute of limitations (G.S. 1-52) to protect your right to compensation. Most of the time, victims have three years from the date of the injury to file a claim or lawsuit. Do not wait to do this. Instead, contact us now.
What Your Jackknife Accident Case Is Worth
The severity of your injuries, the trauma you are experiencing, and the impact on your well-being are all factors that determine the value of your claim. Most victims suffer from losses such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and benefits
- Loss of earning capacity in cases of serious injury
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Punitive damages
The value of your case cannot be accurately estimated without more research. Speak to an attorney who can help you make a clear decision on your future and your right to compensation. Our Charlotte personal injury lawyer never charges you anything unless we win your case.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation with a Jackknife Accident Attorney in Charlotte
Shane Smith Law provides decades of experience to you. We know how to ensure those at fault pay for all the losses they caused you.
Speak to a Charlotte jackknife accident lawyer at our firm today. Let us provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation to review your case and rights.
