Jackknife Accidents

Truck Crash Lawyers Advocating for Injured Chicago Residents and Families

At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we help victims of truck accidents seek the compensation that they deserve. By filing a personal injury claim, victims and their families attempt to hold an at-fault party accountable for their harm. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys understand the federal and state laws that govern trucking companies, and we have successfully recovered monetary damages for victims and their families throughout the state. We appreciate the devastating impact that often follows a big rig collision, and we take pride in easing the financial, physical, and emotional strain caused by these accidents.

Bringing a Legal Claim Based on a Jackknife Accident

A jackknife accident takes place when two parts of a commercial vehicle, the trailer and the cab, fold at a 90-degree angle. The resting position of a truck that has jackknifed resembles a pocket-knife, folded into its own handle. Jackknifing may occur when the tractor or cab wheels lock in place, and the trailer continues rolling, swinging around the axis of the fifth wheel. Trucks lose control when they jackknife, and they may cross traffic lanes or collide with nearby cars. The catastrophic nature of jackknife collisions is due to the weight of a big rig. Upon impact, passenger vehicles may be crushed, and victims may suffer life-threatening injuries or even death.

Careless drivers may cause jackknife accidents, and mechanical issues with the truck may also lead to potential jackknifing. Accident victims are entitled to pursue their claims against any potentially responsible parties, including the truck driver and the trucking company.

An accident victim serves as the plaintiff in a truck crash lawsuit, and the defendant truck driver and the trucking company are generally defendants. Other parties, such as a vendor handling truck maintenance, may also be joined in the case if they allegedly contributed to the crash. For example, if the vendor failed to check tire pressure according to state and federal guidelines, they may be at fault if a tire failure contributed to the jackknife accident.

Driver negligence accounts for many jackknife truck accidents. Truck drivers may fail to evenly apply their brake pressure, or they may follow a vehicle too closely, causing them to lose control of their truck and resulting in a collision. Additionally, slick spots on the road may lead to the back wheels locking, while the front wheels continue moving forward. Truck drivers who have not undergone the required training or are distracted behind the wheel may not be able to respond appropriately when their wheels react in this manner. Unfortunately, jackknifing at a high speed may cause some trucks to roll over, causing serious injuries to other people on the road.

If a plaintiff successfully demonstrates the fault of a truck driver or company, or of another defendant, they may set forth the quantifiable damages that they incurred in the jackknife crash. For many victims, a personal injury claim helps ease the financial burden shouldered as a result of a catastrophic accident. Reimbursement for hospital and medical costs may be secured, as may compensation for lost wages.

Emotional pain and suffering as a result of the accident is also a compensable cost, even though it is usually more challenging to quantify. In the event that a jackknife accident has caused the wrongful death of a victim, their surviving family members may seek compensation for their loss of support (emotional and financial) and medical bills, as well as funeral expenses.

Retain a Dedicated Chicago Attorney for Your Truck Accident Case

At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we help victims of jackknife collisions understand and enforce their legal rights under Illinois law. We provide personal attention and strong advocacy in claims for compensation. Our Chicago truck accident lawyers investigate and pursue all of the potential causes of action after a crash. Contact our office by calling 312-724-5846 or using our online form to arrange a free consultation. Our motor vehicle collision attorneys represent victims and their families throughout the state, including in Champaign, Aurora, Springfield, Rockford, Quincy, and other areas of Cook, Kane, Winnebago, Champaign, and Adams Counties.