Were you injured in a jackknife truck accident in St. Petersburg, FL? A St. Petersburg jackknife accident lawyer at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers can investigate the crash, identify who may be responsible, and pursue compensation for your injuries. Call (813) 536-3527 today to schedule a free consultation.
Our attorneys have more than 120 years of combined experience and have recovered over $1 billion for injured clients. We understand the complexities of commercial truck accident cases and can handle your claim while you focus on your recovery.
How Can Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers Help After a Jackknife Accident?
Jackknife crashes can involve severe injuries, several potentially responsible parties, and large commercial insurance policies. A St. Petersburg truck accident lawyer at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers can investigate what caused the collision and gather the evidence needed to support your claim.
When you hire our St. Petersburg jackknife accident attorneys, they can support your case by:
- Investigate the accident scene
- Obtain trucking company and driver records
- Preserve electronic data from the truck
- Review inspection and maintenance records
- Interview witnesses
- Work with accident reconstruction professionals when necessary
- Calculate your accident-related losses
- Handle communications with insurers
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Prepare your case for trial when necessary
Our firm has represented injured clients for more than 30 years. Our team includes former insurance defense attorneys, giving us insight into how insurers may evaluate and defend injury claims.
Contact our St. Petersburg, Florida, office today to arrange a free consultation.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
A jackknife accident occurs when a tractor and its attached trailer move in different directions, causing the trailer to swing toward the cab. The truck can fold at the connection point in a shape resembling a partially closed pocketknife.
Once a trailer begins swinging sideways, the truck driver may have difficulty regaining control. The trailer can sweep across several traffic lanes and strike multiple vehicles before the truck stops.
Jackknife crashes can be especially dangerous on busy roads and highways around St. Petersburg, including Interstate 275. Passenger vehicles may have little time or space to avoid an out-of-control tractor-trailer.
What Causes Jackknife Accidents in St. Petersburg?
Jackknifing often begins when a truck loses traction, or the tractor and trailer do not slow down at the same rate. Several mechanical, roadway, and driver-related factors can contribute to this type of crash.
Common causes include:
- Sudden or improper braking
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for the weather or road conditions
- Wet or slippery pavement
- Driver distraction
- Driver fatigue
- Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
- Overloaded trailers
- Brake problems
- Tire failures
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Sharp steering movements
- Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers
Commercial truck drivers and companies must comply with federal and Florida safety requirements. Florida law incorporates many federal commercial motor vehicle regulations for both interstate and intrastate trucking operations, subject to certain state-specific rules.
Evidence of a safety violation may be relevant when investigating why a truck jackknifed.
Who Can Be Liable for a Jackknife Accident?
Liability depends on why the truck lost control and the relationships among the people and companies involved. More than one party could share responsibility for the same accident.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking or motor carrier company
- The owner of the tractor or trailer
- A truck maintenance company
- A cargo loading company
- A manufacturer of defective truck parts
- Another motorist whose actions contributed to the crash
An investigation may include the driver’s qualification file, hours-of-service records, electronic logging data, maintenance documents, inspection reports, cargo records, onboard electronic data, photographs, videos, and witness statements.
This evidence can help determine what happened before the truck jackknifed and whose actions contributed to the collision.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Jackknife Accident?
If another party caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Depending on your circumstances, damages could include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our St. Petersburg truck accident attorneys can explain which of your losses may be covered by damages.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?
Florida uses a modified comparative fault system in negligence cases. An injured person who shares some responsibility for an accident may generally recover compensation, but the amount is reduced according to that person’s percentage of fault.
Under current Florida law, a person who is found to be more than 50% responsible for their own harm generally cannot recover damages in a negligence action.
Insurance companies may try to assign some of the blame to other motorists after a truck crash. Evidence from the vehicles, roadway, witnesses, and electronic systems can help determine how responsibility should be allocated.
How Long Do I Have to File a Jackknife Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida generally gives accident victims two years to file lawsuits based on negligence. Missing the applicable deadline can result in losing the right to pursue compensation through the courts.
However, exceptions and different deadlines can apply depending on the circumstances. It is also important to investigate a truck crash quickly because electronic records, surveillance footage, and other evidence may become more difficult to obtain over time. A St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer can help you determine the deadline in your case.
Contact a St. Petersburg Jackknife Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
A jackknife collision can leave you dealing with painful injuries, medical treatment, and uncertainty about what comes next. A St. Petersburg jackknife accident attorney at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers can investigate your accident and help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.
Our attorneys have over 120 years of combined experience and have recovered over $1 billion for injured clients. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
