Jackknife Truck Accidents in Killeen
While any type of motor vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer can cause devastating injuries to anyone else unfortunate enough to get caught up in it, some kinds of truck wrecks are especially dangerous. Jackknife wrecks, which are crashes where a semi-truck skids sideways and bends in the middle to form a jackknife shape, often lead to a truck blocking multiple lanes of traffic and causing a multi-car pileup.
If you were hurt in a jackknife truck accident in Killeen recently, demanding financial recovery through a civil lawsuit or settlement demand may be vital to minimizing the long-term impact of this incident. Thankfully, a seasoned truck accident attorney can provide custom-tailored guidance and support throughout your case process, working diligently to get you paid fairly for the injuries you should never have sustained.
How Negligence Can Lead to Jackknife Crashes
Because of how tractor-trailers are designed, their cabs technically move completely separately from the trailer, which is pulled behind the vehicle. This means that if the driver loses control of the cab for any reason, the trailer can kick out to the side or front of the cab due to having its own momentum.
These jackknife accidents are usually caused by negligent driving. Common examples of reckless or careless trucker behavior include:
- Going over the speed limit
- Going too fast for road conditions
- Improper braking
- Failure to maintain brakes in good working condition
- Tailgating other drivers
- Taking turns too fast
- Driving while drunk, high, or overly tired
- Driving while distracted
A skilled attorney in Killeen could provide crucial help with identifying every person who may bear liability for a jackknife accident, with potential defendants including a trucker driver’s employer, as well as a third party like a mechanic or truck manufacturer.
Seeking Compensation After a Jackknife Crash
A comprehensive settlement demand or lawsuit based on a jackknife truck wreck should account for a person’s past and future, economic and non-economic losses. For example, when a negligent trucker causes a jackknife crash that leaves someone paralyzed, that truck driver and any other liable parties are likely responsible for paying a plaintiff’s short-term and long-term medical bills. The defendant(s) might also need to assume liability for the claimant’s physical pain or emotional suffering, depending on the details of the case.
Importantly, though, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003 sets a time limit of two years after an injury first occurs for most prospective plaintiffs to begin their jackknife accident claim, even if their injuries are expected to last for much longer than that. A tenacious attorney in Killeen understands the significance of this statute of limitations and can help a plaintiff submit their jackknife truck crash claim on time.
Talk to a Killeen Attorney About Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknife incidents are among the most dangerous hazards anyone can experience on a state or federal highway in Texas. Fortunately, wrecks like this generally only happen in the first place because of negligence, and if you can prove that negligence was the direct cause of your crash-related injuries, you should be able to recover substantial compensation for your losses.
Having qualified legal counsel on your side can greatly improve your chances of getting a good outcome from your unique claim. Call today to learn how a lawyer could help you after a jackknife truck accident in Killeen.
