Sharing the road with semi-trucks is a common occurrence in New Mexico. When these large trucks have negligent drivers behind the wheel, everyone around them is in danger. One type of truck accident that can cause serious injuries is a jackknife accident. When the driver loses control of the trailer, it can collide with others on the road. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you may have sustained terrible injuries and are dealing with significant medical costs to afford the care you need to recover. Allow our Albuquerque jackknife truck accident lawyers from Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm to hold those responsible for your injuries accountable and help you get compensation for your losses.
We have experience getting truck accident victims fair compensation. We’re familiar with the laws that apply to your case and the evidence necessary to prove your claim. Filing a claim can be complicated to do on your own. That’s why our attorneys in Albuquerque are ready to answer your questions and explain the legal process to you so you’re always up to date on your case. Before learning more about how we can help, let’s look into what a jackknife accident is and what causes them.
What Is a Jackknife Accident?
Since the trailer is hitched to the tractor, the truck driver has to keep safe driving techniques in mind so the trailer remains behind them. Unfortunately, when they neglect to do this, the trailer can swing out from behind the trailer and form an L or V shape. Once the trailer is no longer following the tractor, there is little the truck driver can do to remain in control.
If there are motorists in the lanes next to the truck, the trailer could collide with them and cause devastating injuries. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, jackknife truck accidents were involved in 4,213 fatal crashes and 110,000 injury crashes in 2016. They define a truck as a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that’s over 10,000 pounds.
Because these accidents can cause devastating injuries and fatalities, your jackknife truck accident lawyers will investigate to find out what led to the accident happening in the first place. Often, negligence is the reason why you were hurt, and the wreck should not have happened in the first place.
How Do Jackknife Truck Accidents Happen?
There are a few ways that jackknifing can occur. Truck drivers need to be aware of the causes so they can drive safely. If you’ve been in a jackknife accident, our lawyers may find one of the following causes as the reason for your injuries:
- Speeding. When a truck driver is going too fast, they are risking their control over their truck. If they take a turn too quickly, they could lose control of the trailer and cause a jackknife accident.
- Inclement Weather. Snow and ice are always dangerous to drive in. If a truck driver is in poor weather conditions, the trailer may hit an ice patch and skid out from behind the cab.
- Braking. Trucks need more time to slow down properly and safely. If they need to slam on the brakes because of an emergency, the brakes could lock up and cause the trailer to jackknife. The driver will likely not be able to regain control of the trailer.
- Collision. If a collision already occurred, it could force the trailer out of place and into a jackknife.
As our attorneys in Albuquerque review your case, we’ll determine who was responsible. It’s possible the truck driver was at fault. If they didn’t have the correct training or were driving recklessly, they could easily lose control and cause the truck to jackknife.
However, there are other parties that could be held liable. We’ll look into the truck’s black box information, which could point to who caused the accident. For instance, the trailer could have been overloaded and past the weight limit of what’s legally allowed. The black box could tell our lawyers the weight of the trailer when it was loaded. An overloaded trailer will put a lot of stress on the axles and could cause jackknife accidents.
Consulting with experts as well as gathering and analyzing as much data as possible will point us to the at-fault party and the compensation you’re owed. We’ll do everything we can to maximize your compensation and secure your financial future.
Seek Legal Options with Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm
When you suffered because of a preventable accident, you can file a truck accident claim. While you may think adding a legal matter to your life will be too much, we’re here to help you get the compensation you need.
After a truck accident, you may have insurance adjusters contacting you attempting to settle the case. If you make statements, they can use this information to lower your compensation. It can be tempting to have the conversation and settle the matter quickly, but this will increase your chances of getting an unfavorable settlement that does not reflect the costs of your injuries. The insurance company is trying to protect their bottom line—let us protect your rights to fair compensation. Get in touch with our lawyers today. We’re ready to discuss your options and help you recover.
