A tractor-trailer jackknife is one of the most dangerous types of truck accidents. There may be no opportunity for you to avoid the collision, and jackknives can crush cars in adjacent lanes.
The attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright work with survivors of jackknife truck accidents in Orlando and the families of those who do not survive these crashes. Our firm has been advocating for injured local people for decades, and we have established a strong reputation for delivering for our clients. Most of our cases are referrals from satisfied former clients or professionals in the community who have worked with us and recognize our professionalism, commitment, and the quality of our legal services. Our experienced truck crash attorneys could help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Jackknife Wrecks
A jackknife happens when a truck’s trailer moves at an angle to the cab, often causing the truck to overturn. Depending on the sharpness of the angle, the trailer could swing across one or more lanes of traffic, causing a vehicle traveling in an adjacent lane to be crushed, pushed into incoming traffic, or forced off the road.
Truck driver negligence, such as driving too fast for the road conditions, taking a curve or corner too fast, or misusing the brakes, can cause jackknives. Additionally, improper loading can cause cargo shift, leading to a trailer swing crash.
Bad weather and poor road conditions may increase the likelihood of jackknifing, but the fault is almost always with the truck driver or the trucking company. Our attorneys in Orlando could investigate your semi-truck collision and identify all parties whose conduct contributed to the jackknife.
Are Significant Injuries Likely?
Jackknife accidents often destroy surrounding vehicles and may lead to loss of life, while survivors often have severe, permanently disabling injuries.
The no-fault system applies to accidents involving commercial vehicles, so you should submit your initial claim to your PIP carrier. If you sustained serious harm, your PIP likely will not cover all your losses. However, Florida Statutes § 627.737 allows you to sue for full compensation when your injuries cause permanent impairment to a bodily function or severe, permanent scarring.
Our Orlando lawyers could review your medical records to confirm that your jackknife truck wreck injuries meet the legal threshold for a lawsuit. If so, we will begin preparing a case against the transportation company and any other potentially responsible parties. The more time we have to prepare, the better, so it is essential to secure legal representation as soon as possible after your accident.
Estimating Damages in Serious Truck Accident Cases
When you have severe injuries and bring a lawsuit seeking compensation, you are entitled to enough compensation to be made whole. This means sufficient damages to recover everything you have spent and lost because of your injury. Our Orlando vehicle crash attorneys often achieve settlements or verdicts in jackknife trailer-truck cases that reach $1million or more.
Economic Damages
Determining economic damages is relatively straightforward. The trucking company or other responsible party must reimburse the money you spent due to your injury, which includes everything from insurance deductibles and copays to babysitters during medical appointments to home renovations necessary to accommodate a disability. The responsible parties must also pay your lost wages and the value of any paid leave that you used during your recovery.
You may also collect reasonably anticipated future losses. We could consult medical experts to evaluate the medical care you may require for the injury and estimate its cost. If your injury impacts your ability to work, an economist can estimate the financial impact of your reduced earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
Permanent injuries affect your lifestyle. You may experience chronic pain, limited functioning in one or more limbs, the psychological strain of adjusting to a disfigurement, or other ill-defects. These conditions could limit your activities and impact your comfort in public spaces.
You could claim non-economic damages—also called pain and suffering damages—for your diminished quality of life after an accident. Pain and suffering damages are influenced by your age, the severity of your injuries, and the extent of the changes to your lifestyle.
Contact Our Orlando Attorneys After a Jackknife Truck Crash
Jackknife truck accidents in Orlando can cause life-altering harm. Contact The Florida Firm right away if you sustained injuries or your loved one died in a collision.
We are committed to obtaining the best results possible for our injured clients, and we work at no risk to you. We do not collect fees or expenses until we successfully resolve your case, so contact us today to discuss your injuries and how to achieve the justice you deserve.