Jackknife Truck Accidents in Rancho Mirage
Given its proximity to Interstate 10 and the fact that State Route 111 runs right through the middle of it, Rancho Mirage sees plenty of high-speed commercial truck traffic. Unfortunately, not every trucker who passes through this area does so in a safe and responsible way, sometimes leading to them losing control of their truck while traveling at highway speeds.
Speeding is a common scenario that creates a jackknife wreck, which involves the trailer of a semi-truck kicking out in front or to the side of its cab during a skid and potentially colliding with multiple other cars. Jackknife truck accidents in Rancho Mirage tend to have devastating consequences for everyone involved, and when you have been hurt in a wreck, you should strongly consider seeking guidance from a seasoned truck crash attorney.
Who Is at Fault for a Jackknife Truck Crash?
The vast majority of jackknife truck collisions in Rancho Mirage stem from a truck driver doing something irresponsible behind the wheel, which leads to them losing control of their truck. Speeding is the most common culprit for this specific type of wreck, but trucks can and do also jackknife as a result of drivers taking turns too sharply, not using their brakes properly, not accounting for inclement weather, or driving while distracted, fatigued, or substance-impaired.
It is not unheard of for a jackknife wreck to stem from the negligence of a third party without the trucker involved having much—or even anything—to do with causing it. For example, when a truck driver’s brakes fail suddenly, fault for an ensuing crash might lie with a mechanic who failed to service the truck properly or a manufacturing company that produced defective parts.
When a truck jackknifes because unsecured cargo suddenly shifted during transit, responsibility for the incident might lie with another employee of the driver’s trucking company or of another company who did not load the truck correctly. In some cases, these wrecks even stem from the misconduct of another driver who forced an otherwise responsible trucker into an unavoidable accident.
Recovering Fairly While Avoiding Comparative Fault
A person harmed in a Rancho Mirage jackknife truck crash can sometimes be found partially at fault for their own injuries—for example, if they were speeding immediately before running into a jackknifing truck ahead of them. In this situation, a court could assign an injured person a percentage of comparative fault and reduce the total compensation they receive by the same proportion, potentially leading to them missing out on much-needed money for losses like:
- Past and future medical bills
- Physical pain and suffering
- Vehicle damage and other personal property-related losses
- Emotional anguish and psychological distress
- Lost working ability, income, and work benefits like health insurance
- Lost enjoyment of life, including lost consortium
Support from knowledgeable legal counsel could be crucial to assigning fair values to all recoverable damages and contesting allegations of comparative fault in an effective and proactive way.
Contact a Rancho Mirage Attorney for Help with a Jackknife Truck Accident Claim
Jackknifing trucks are one of the most dangerous things anyone can encounter on a busy interstate or state highway. Fortunately, any injuries you sustain in a collision with a jackknifing tractor-trailer may serve as valid grounds for a civil claim for compensation for every form of harm your injuries will cause.
Working with a dedicated truck wreck lawyer could significantly boost your odds of getting a good case result following a jackknife truck accident in Rancho Mirage. Call today to learn more.
