If a truck “jackknifes,” the driver may lose control of their vehicle, which may lead to an accident. Those who get hurt in this type of accident may want to consult with a Mt. Pleasant jackknife truck accident lawyer. By working with a Mt. Pleasant truck accident lawyer, you may be able to request damages from the driver involved in the incident or another liable party.
With more than a decade of personal injury case experience, the Shelly Leeke Law Firm may help you with your truck accident claim. Our attorney is available to review your case. To get started, reach out to us.
What to Expect During a Jackknife Accident
Jackknifing occurs when a semi-truck or another large vehicle with a trailer skids. At this point, the trailer may shift to the outside, creating a V-shape with the cab. When this happens, the driver may have no control over their truck, increasing the risk of an accident. Call us today for a free consultation so you can learn more about what our Mt. Pleasant personal injury lawyers can do for you.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 120,200 large trucks were involved in crashes that resulted in an injury in a given year. Some of these crashes may have been jackknife accidents. If you have been hurt in an accident in which a trucker’s vehicle jackknifes, you may want to request compensation to cover your injury-related losses.
A Mt. Pleasant jackknife truck accident attorney may help you submit a claim for compensation. At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we can take a look at your case and go over your legal options with you. For more information, get in touch with us.
Truck Laws
A truck driver and their employer are responsible for following state and federal regulations. For instance, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has hours of service (HOS) requirements. If a trucker does not take breaks at regular intervals, they may get tired behind the wheel, which may result in a jackknife accident.
There are commercial truck and commercial motor vehicle (CMV) weight limits in South Carolina. It is against the law to operate a vehicle with a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight that exceeds 26,001 lbs. In addition, a trucker cannot drive a vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 lbs. or greater.
You may be involved in a jackknife accident in which a truck driver or their employer broke the law. In this situation, it is best to partner with a jackknife truck accident lawyer in Mt. Pleasant. Your attorney can help you file a claim against a liable party.
Who Is Responsible for a Jackknife Truck Accident
Before you can get the best case results, you must figure out who is at fault for your accident. A jackknife truck accident attorney in Mt. Pleasant can help you determine who is liable. Examples of defendants named in truck crash cases include:
- Cargo loader
- Trucking company
- Truck driver
- Truck maintenance company
- Truck manufacturer
To secure damages from any of these parties and any others, you must prove that they had a legal obligation to avoid careless and reckless acts. Also, you must verify that the party violated this obligation and caused your accident. Along with these things, you must make it clear to a judge or jury that you have incurred economic or non-economic damages as a result of the party’s actions.
Jackknife Truck Accident Damages
Your lawyer can explain compensatory damages and how they relate to your case. In a truck accident case, you may ask for compensation to cover your quantifiable and subjective losses. Reasons why truck accident victims pursue damages include:
- Car repairs or replacement
- Emotional trauma
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Your attorney will work with you to calculate your losses. They may encourage you to request both economic and non-economic compensation. In addition to helping you ask for the maximum amount of damages, your jackknife truck accident lawyer in Mt. Pleasant will help you submit your claim before you run out of time to do so.
Jackknife Truck Accident Claim Statute of Limitations
In terms of how long you have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident, the answer is generally three years. The time frame for submitting your claim may not be extended. If you decide not to request damages during this period, you may be responsible for all of your accident-related losses.
Your Mt. Pleasant jackknife truck accident lawyer will help you file your claim right away. They will work with you to gather police reports, accident scene photos and videos, and other forms of proof. Your evidence may help you show that you are in no way responsible for your accident.
The defendant in your case may claim that you are partly or fully responsible for your accident, which could hurt your chances of getting the damages you want. Your Mt. Pleasant jackknife truck accident attorney can provide you with a complete breakdown of negligence laws in South Carolina. They can dispute any claims that the defendant makes against you and craft a compelling argument that proves that they are liable for your accident.
Jackknife Truck Accident Case Settlement
Your attorney can explain how a personal injury settlement is determined. If you have an abundance of evidence, the defendant in your truck accident case could be compelled to settle. They may submit a settlement offer at any point prior to your trial.
Just because you get a settlement proposal does not mean you have to approve it. The defendant may push you to accept the settlement since doing so may line up with their best interests. Yet, you should not settle your case unless you receive enough compensation to cover your losses.
Your lawyer can help you weigh a settlement offer’s pros and cons. If you are not satisfied with a proposal, you can decline it and continue with your litigation. Alternatively, if you are happy with an offer, you may approve it and close your case.
Consult a Mt. Pleasant Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer Today
After a jackknife truck accident, you do not have to go through the legal process on your own. The Shelly Leeke Law Firm is here to assist you at each stage of this process. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
