A truck is a powerful vehicle that, no matter the type of incident that occurs, can cause serious damage and injury to other people and vehicles. When jackknifing occurs, the outcome can be catastrophic, which is why you need a Walterboro truck accident lawyer on your side. Working with a Walterboro jackknife truck accident lawyer from our team at The Shelly Leeke Law Firm gives you the ability to create a fair and comprehensive claim and ensures that you have an experienced attorney fighting for your best possible outcome.
Understanding What Causes Jackknifing
Jackknifing occurs when a truck that has a tractor and trailer engages in some type of maneuver that causes the trailer to swing out to one side. This creates a 90-degree angle with the cab, and it can lead to the truck skidding quickly and powerfully into anything in the way. Most often, drivers lose control of the truck, or they may also roll over or collide with walls, construction barriers, and people.
There are many reasons why jackknifing can occur, and it is not always simplistic to understand what happened in your case to result in this type of accident. Any of these incidents can create serious consequences. Without a doubt, there is a need to invest in the help of a Walterboro personal injury lawyer with experience in this area if you are the victim of such an accident.
- Speeding: Fast rates of speed make it harder for a truck to stop. It is very likely that speeding can also make the truck harder to control, leading to jackknifing.
- Improper braking: Trucks cannot brake quickly with assurance that the vehicle will stop. If the driver tries to stop too hard, this can cause the wheels to lock up. That leads to the trailer, which is still trying to move forward rapidly, to swing to the side because the tractor stops.
- Brake failure: It is possible that the truck driver could not stop the vehicle because the brakes failed. This may be due to poor maintenance, installation, or product design failures.
- Bad weather: Specifically problematic when the surface is wet or otherwise slippery, jackknifing can occur when the tractor and trailer slip and move in different directions, even slightly. This makes jackknifing a common outcome.
- Mistakes by the driver: There are some instances in which a truck driver’s skill and experience play a role in what occurs. For example, a fatigued driver may suddenly wake up and jolt the vehicle out of the way of a collision, causing the jackknifing.
- Poorly loaded cargo: If there is a lack of balance with the cargo in the trailer, that may lead to the cargo shifting or otherwise becoming unstable. This can lead to the truck leaning to one side and jackknifing as a result.
Determining Fault in a Jackknife Accident
One of the steps your jackknife truck accident attorney in Walterboro will take is determining fault in the accident. Typically, the police report will list who was at fault for the incident, but this information may be limited and not fully extensive enough for the claim. That is, sometimes, there are more people to blame for what occurred than just the truck driver.
With insight into what occurred to cause the accident, your attorney will consider all parties that could be responsible. This can directly influence your case and compensation. Here are some examples of whether it is the truck driver or the trucking company.
- The truck driver: If there was evidence that the driver made a mistake, was distracted, or did something that caused the incident, then the truck driver may hold all of the fault in the case. Typically, truck drivers will be responsible for intoxication and distraction, for example.
- The company employingw the truck driver: There are times when the trucking company is to blame because they did not abide by the state or federal guidelines for driver time off or because they did not maintain the vehicle they owe.
- The maintenance company: If maintenance and repairs of the truck caused the incident, such as the brakes failing because they had not been repaired properly, the maintenance company or technicians could be to blame.
- Equipment manufacturers and truck manufacturers: When equipment failures lead to the incident, it may be due to poor design or construction of faulty components, and that means the manufacturer could be held responsible.
- The loading company: If the company that loads the truck failed to secure it properly and that caused the incident, that company could be held responsible.
How Your Jackknife Truck Accident Attorney in Walterboro Proves Fault
With clear evidence and information from the accident itself, your Walterboro jackknife truck accident attorney will work to piece together who is at fault. This then allows for your attorney to seek compensation from the appropriate parties. Your attorney will gather evidence from multiple sources, including truck driver records, medical records, accident data, and witness statements.
Hire a Law Firm That Knows How to Get Results
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we take pride in helping victims get the compensation they need, even in difficult cases. A jackknife truck accident lawyer in Walterboro brings a wide range of benefits to you. That includes:
- Long-term experience fighting for the rights of clients
- A record of recovering millions of dollars in losses for clients, so review our results
- Exceptional client attention and support
- Proven experience that works in your favor
- Dedication to your specific needs and the challenges you may be facing
When you hire our attorney for your jackknife truck accident, you get the information and support you need to move your case forward. Put your trust in that experience. Expect us to provide you with outstanding legal representation.
Set Up a Free Consultation with a Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer in Walterboro Now
Call our offices to set up a free consultation with a Walterboro jackknife truck accident lawyer. At The Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we never charge you attorney fees until (and only if) we win your case for you. Let us start the process of helping you to get the compensation you are owed by calling now.
