Jackknife Truck Accidents in Palm Springs
Jackknife accidents are among the most lethal kinds of truck crashes, and survivors often have severe injuries. The trucking company is usually responsible for paying compensation, but you need a skilled attorney to help you prove your case.
Contact a local attorney after a jackknife truck accident in Palm Springs. We could explain your legal options and work diligently to ensure you receive adequate compensation for your injuries.
Common Causes of Truck Jackknifes
A jackknife happens when a truck’s trailer moves at an angle to the cab rather than aligned behind it. The trailer can crush cars in adjacent lanes and push them into other vehicles. Jackknifes often cause the truck to roll over, and these accidents often result in multi-vehicle pileups.
Any unusual force that causes the driver to lose control even momentarily could lead to a jackknife accident. Some common reasons why jackknife accidents happen include:
- Speeding and driving too fast around a curve
- Slippery road surface
- Distracted or fatigued truck driver
- Unbalanced load
- Tire blowout
- Failure of the truck’s steering or braking
- Poor road maintenance or unclear signage
In addition, other drivers in Palm Springs could cause a jackknife crash by forcing a trucker to brake suddenly.
An attorney could obtain the police report, witness statements, surveillance or traffic cam footage, in-cab video, the truck’s data recorder, and other evidence. This information could help pinpoint the cause of the crash and identify the responsible parties.
Jackknifes Can Cause Severe Injuries
Jackknife accidents usually happen when a truck is traveling at highway speeds in Palm Springs. The force the trailer creates when it moves at an angle to the cab can cause the entire rig to overturn and crush any vehicles nearby.
Survivors of jackknife accidents often suffer significant injuries. Sometimes, the injuries heal eventually, but many people suffer harm that leaves them permanently disabled. The occupants of a smaller vehicle crushed by a trailer or truck cab could suffer traumatic amputations, moderate to severe brain injuries, damage to the internal organs, and spinal cord injuries.
Caring for someone with such significant injuries is extremely expensive, even when the person has excellent insurance. An attorney could help an injured person and their family obtain sufficient compensation to provide all the services and care they may need to live a life of dignity despite their injuries.
Bringing a Claim after a Jackknife Truck Wreck
A truck crash claim is more complex than a car wreck claim. When the claim in Palm Springs involves a jackknife accident, which often involves multiple vehicles, the process is even more complex.
There could be several injured people bringing claims against the transportation company and other potentially responsible parties. Although trucking companies have commercial insurance policies with high coverage limits, when several people are claiming for serious injuries, the insurance might be insufficient to provide reasonable compensation.
Comparative Negligence and its Role in Settlement Negotiations
Insurers often try to limit their liability by asserting a person was at least partially responsible for their injury. They might claim the injured person was speeding, texting, or driving in the truck’s blind spot when the crash occurred.
California Civil Code § 1714 allows a negligent claimant to collect compensation, but the amount they can collect is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. An attorney could use their legal knowledge and negotiating skills to ensure an injured person receives a fair share of the available funds, even if they bear partial responsibility for the crash.
Contact a Palm Springs Attorney after a Jackknife Truck Accident
Bringing a successful claim for compensation after a truck crash requires the knowledge, skill, and resources of an experienced attorney. The trucking company’s insurer is likely to take advantage of anyone without legal counsel.
Consult a local lawyer after a jackknife truck accident in Palm Springs. We can explain your legal options, and if you decide to move forward, we can provide aggressive advocacy to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Call now to speak with a capable lawyer.
