Call After a Jackknife Truck Accident in Burlington
If you or a loved one has been involved in a jackknife accident in Burlington or elsewhere in the state, it can be difficult to understand where everything went wrong. You’re likely dealing with critical injuries and the total destruction of your vehicle. What exactly happened? Can you get money from the trucking company to pay for your losses?
The team at DiBella Law Offices, P.C., has worked with hundreds of truck accident victims in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We are highly skilled in this type of litigation against powerful corporate interests. Call (781) 262-3338 to schedule a free consultation with one of our truck accident attorneys today.
Give us a call today to discover how we can assist you.
What Is a Jackknife Accident?
All semi-truck accidents are dangerous because of their massive size and weight compared to other vehicles on the road. But jackknife accidents hold even more potential for devastation and loss of life. These accidents occur when the truck’s trailer begins to slide or skid, and rotates out to the side of the truck, forming a 90-degree angle like a folding jackknife. This unusual angle and the weight of the trailer can cause the entire rig to roll over, crushing anything in its path. Cars can also be trapped by the sliding trailer.
What Are Some Causes of a Jackknife Crash?
Jackknife accidents may be caused when the drive wheels of the truck lock up from a slippery spot on the road. This fast stop does not allow the trailer wheel brakes sufficient time to slow the trailer, which results in the trailer pushing sideways past the truck. A fully-loaded trailer carries tons of cargo and can require a much greater stopping distance than the truck itself.
Less common are the jackknife accidents caused by a truck driver taking a curve at an unsafe speed. Entering a curve too quickly can cause the trailer to begin to tip over, as its energy is still moving forward rather than around the curve. Again, because of the weight of the trailer, the trailer brakes cannot reduce the speed of the trailer as quickly as the truck brakes slow the front tires.
In addition, a jackknife can occur when a truck driver slams on the brakes too quickly, maybe in an effort to avoid an object in the truck’s path. Another cause of fast braking is a distracted, tired, or impaired truck driver. The driver does not see a vehicle in front of him soon enough to gradually apply the brakes, and is forced to try to quickly stop the truck to avoid a collision.
We've offered crucial support and guidance to individuals who have suffered injuries, ensuring their financial and emotional well-being.
Compensation After a Jackknife Accident in Burlington
The injuries sustained in a jackknife truck accident are often life-threatening. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, loss of limbs, and even loss of life are not uncommon in these accidents. In many cases, the victims will be forced to live with long-term pain and permanent damage. It is critical that victims work with an experienced Burlington truck accident lawyer to file a claim and get full and fair compensation after an accident. Compensation will vary depending on each victim’s injuries, but may include any of the following:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Cost of long-term care
- Lost wages
- Permanent disability
- Property damage
- Cost of emotional support and counseling as a result of the trauma
Your lawyer will want to contact the owner of the truck via a letter of spoliation as soon as possible. This document requests that the owner or trucking company preserve any and all evidence that might be needed for litigation. This can include the driver’s log book, the driver’s personnel file, drug and alcohol test results, maintenance records for the truck, and any processes or protocols that the company has in place for actions taken after an accident. Your legal team should also contact law enforcement for records and documentation, including witnesses and their statements.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a jackknife truck accident, it is very important that you contact a Burlington jackknife crash attorney at DiBella Law Offices, P.C. You can schedule a free consultation to learn more about the rights of a victim and how to move forward with recovering compensation that is owed to you. The physical and emotional recovery after a truck accident can be overwhelming. Additional worry over mounting medical bills and other financial challenges should not be weighing on your mind. Allow the experienced team at DiBella Law Offices, P.C., to work on your behalf while you focus on healing and your family. Call (781) 262-3338 today.
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