Truck accidents are catastrophic in nature, and there are thousands of them that occur on the highways of the United States every year. These vehicles are massive in size and their sheer momentum and weight can cause irreparable damage, disability, and death. As important as trucks are to our infrastructure, they cause well over 100,000 serious injuries every year, amounting to millions of dollars in damage.
Some people may think that if a big rig jackknifes, they have limited options to pursue injuries. This may not be the case. Any time you’ve been hurt in an accident and it’s not your fault, you have the right to seek compensation. Read about how to file a lawsuit in a semi-truck jackknife accident, and why an injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Jackknife Accidents
Big rigs like semi-trucks are known as articulated vehicles. This means that they are made up of multiple parts connected at joints. Thus, when a truck turns a corner, it doesn’t all move at once like a car or SUV, but the cab turns first, followed by the trailer. When the trailer swings out of control behind the cab, it can cause the truck to fold up like a pocket knife, causing severe damage.
There are a number of things that can cause jackknifing, including winds, failure to brake properly, failure to maintain safe speeds, cargo that is improperly secured or loaded, failure of the truck’s coupling devices, or other driver errors including over-steering or taking turns that are too sharp.
Jackknife Semi Truck Lawsuits
Whenever you’re involved with any sort of auto accident and it isn’t your fault, you should immediately consider the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit, especially if severe injuries or damages result such as those involving a semi-truck.
When you suffer from these kinds of injuries, your attorney will look over your case details to determine if negligence exists on the part of the truck driver. This is the primary factor in an injury case. A truck driver has a duty of care to other drivers on the road, and if they do something that violates that duty, and causes an accident which results in an injury, you can collect monetary compensation to cover your medical bills, pain and suffering and a range of other damages.
Who Is Responsible?
The trick in pursuing a truck lawsuit is that there are a number of parties that could be responsible. These include the driver, the owner of the truck, the trucking company that employs the driver, the loading company, and even in the case of failed parts, a product liability claim against the parts manufacturer.
The best way to get proper compensation for a jackknife injury you have suffered is to seek help from a qualified and experienced truck accident attorney. If you live in the Oklahoma City region, the lawyers at Parrish DeVaughn are here to help. For more information, a free case consultation or to start pursuing compensation for your injuries, get in touch with us today.
