A jackknife truck accident can happen when a tractor and trailer lose alignment, causing the trailer to swing outward at an angle. These crashes can block several lanes and strike multiple vehicles, leaving victims with serious or catastrophic injuries. If you were hurt in this type of collision, a Bradenton jackknife accident lawyer at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers can investigate what caused the crash and help you pursue compensation from those responsible.
Our attorneys have more than 120 years of combined legal experience and have recovered more than $1 billion for injured clients. Contact us today at (813) 896-4192 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.
How Can Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers Help After a Truck Accident in Bradenton, FL?
Jackknife crashes can involve complex evidence and several potentially responsible parties. An experienced Bradenton personal injury lawyer at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers can investigate the accident while you focus on your medical care.
A Bradenton truck accident lawyer may help by:
- Obtaining police reports and crash-scene evidence
- Reviewing photographs and available video footage
- Interviewing witnesses
- Examining truck maintenance and inspection records
- Reviewing driver logs and employment records when relevant
- Investigating the truck’s braking system, tires, and other components
- Reviewing cargo-loading information
- Identifying potentially liable parties and insurance policies
- Documenting your injuries and financial losses
- Negotiating with insurers
- Preparing your case for court when necessary
We have represented injured Floridians for decades and have experience handling serious motor vehicle and truck accident claims.
What Causes Jackknife Truck Accidents?
A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings away from the tractor instead of remaining directly behind it. The driver may then lose control of the truck, creating a dangerous obstacle across surrounding traffic lanes.
Possible causes of jackknife accidents include:
- Sudden or improper braking: Hard braking can cause the tractor or trailer wheels to lose traction.
- Excessive speed: A truck traveling too fast for traffic, curves, or weather conditions may become difficult to control.
- Wet or slippery roads: Reduced traction can increase the risk of wheel lockup and loss of control.
- Brake problems: Defective, poorly maintained, or improperly adjusted brakes may contribute to uneven braking.
- Cargo shifts: Improperly loaded or secured cargo can change a trailer’s balance and stability.
- Driver inexperience: A driver who responds incorrectly to a skid or emergency may make a developing jackknife worse.
- Distracted or fatigued driving: A delayed response to slowing traffic or another hazard may force a driver to brake or steer suddenly.
- Tire problems: Worn, damaged, or improperly inflated tires can contribute to loss of control.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration research identifies factors such as braking, cargo shifts, tire problems, excessive speed, and jackknifing among circumstances associated with loss of control and serious large-truck crashes.
Who Can Be Liable for a Jackknife Accident?
The truck driver is not necessarily the only party that may be responsible. A Bradenton personal injury attorney can investigate the relationships between the driver, trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo companies, and other businesses involved in operating the truck.
Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company or motor carrier
- The owner of the tractor or trailer
- A truck maintenance or repair company
- A cargo loading or shipping company
- A manufacturer of defective truck parts
- Another driver whose negligence contributed to the crash
Some cases involve more than one responsible party. Identifying each party can be particularly important when a jackknife collision causes severe injuries and substantial financial losses.
What Compensation Is Available After a Bradenton Jackknife Accident?
If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to seek compensation for the financial and personal consequences of the accident.
Depending on your case, recoverable damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The amount available depends on your injuries, losses, available insurance coverage, and other circumstances surrounding the accident.
What if I Am Partially Responsible for the Accident?
Florida follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means that compensation can generally be reduced according to an injured person’s percentage of fault. A party who is found more than 50% responsible for their own harm generally cannot recover damages in a negligence action.
A trucking company or insurer may argue that another motorist contributed to a crash by following too closely, speeding, making an unsafe maneuver, or otherwise failing to avoid the truck. A Bradenton truck accident attorney can gather evidence and respond when fault is disputed.
How Long Do I Have to File a Jackknife Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida generally gives an injured person two years to file a negligence lawsuit. Certain circumstances can affect the applicable deadline, so it is important not to assume that every case follows the same timeline.
Acting quickly can also help preserve evidence. Trucking records, electronic data, surveillance footage, physical evidence, and witness recollections may become harder to obtain over time.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Bradenton Jackknife Accident Lawyers
A jackknife crash can leave you facing serious injuries, medical expenses, time away from work, and difficult questions about who should be held responsible. You do not have to handle the insurance and legal issues alone.
The team at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers brings more than 120 years of combined legal experience to injury claims and has recovered more than $1 billion for clients. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Bradenton jackknife accident attorney and learn how we can help you pursue compensation.
