Jackknife Truck Accidents in Colleyville
Any form of collision with a truck has the potential to be destructive. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks can easily crush nearby vehicles. A jackknifing crash is a particularly terrifying type of accident that can occur with an 18-wheeler. This kind of wreck can cause severe personal injuries, as well as catastrophic casualties and immeasurable destruction. Nearly five percent of all truck accidents are jackknife collisions.
When you or a loved one suffers injuries in this type of crash, you may be able to seek compensation through a lawsuit. Motorists who survive collisions with trucks or lose loved ones in such crashes often suffer from significant trauma as a result. The thought of handling complex litigation and multitudes of documents may feel overwhelming after experiencing such a terrible accident. Choose a lawyer well-acquainted with jackknife truck accidents in Colleyville to assist you with navigating the legal system while you focus on your recovery. A skilled tractor-trailer collision attorney could help you protect your rights and seek the justice you deserve.
Jackknife Truck Accidents Are Often Devastating
When there is a jackknife accident, that means that a vehicle with two separate parts has folded in on itself at the point of separation. They form a 90-degree “v” shape. This term comes from the angle created when a pocketknife is opened. The hinging effect closely resembles the look of a pocketknife blade folding into its handle while closing. Unlike a knife, a truck that folds in on itself is not meant to do so and is destructive.
The injuries resulting from a jackknife truck accident can be fatal or life-changing, with lifelong medical costs and doctor’s appointments. Some common examples include:
- Lacerations
- Severe burns
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain damage
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Disability
- Amputation
- Death
In addition to direct jackknife truck collisions in Colleyville, people can also get hurt in secondary collisions. When a truck jackknifes and blocks multiple lanes of traffic, other cars may collide if they are caught off guard or while attempting to avoid the accident.
The Path to Financial Recovery After a Jackknife Truck Crash
Those injured in jackknife truck wrecks in Colleyville could pursue compensation by litigating their case in court or settling with insurance companies. Talking with insurance companies can be stressful for someone to handle without the assistance of a lawyer who is trained to negotiate with them. Insurance adjusters typically will not offer a settlement amount that adequately covers the costs of the injured person’s losses. Their ultimate goal is to protect their own assets. As such, they try to pressure unrepresented individuals to settle quickly for an amount that is far less than they deserve. It is wise for injured parties to hire a qualified truck accident attorney to negotiate settlements with insurance companies on their behalf.
Jackknife truck accidents can often be complex since multiple parties and insurance companies are usually involved. In court, a proactive lawyer can push for economic and non-economic damages from several defendants before a judge and jury. Economic damages are actual financial losses the injured person suffers due to the collision, like future and current medical bills, the cost of car damage, and lost wages. Non-economic damages are compensation for subjective losses that do not necessarily have a receipt, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Mental and emotional distress
Strong evidence is critical to proving that the truck driver, trucking company, or even the truck manufacturer was negligent and thus responsible for the injured party’s damages. Injured individuals should enlist the help of a determined legal professional who will not back down when seeking the comprehensive compensation they need and deserve.
Talk to a Colleyville Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer About Your Case
When you are injured in a jackknife truck accident in Colleyville, you may be able to file a claim to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, property damage costs, pain and suffering, and more. However, doing so will inevitably be accompanied by difficult conversations with insurance companies and the trucking company’s legal team. Proving liability for your claim can be challenging, but an experienced lawyer could handle this process for you. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options with a knowledgeable attorney.