Springfield Jackknifing Accidents

Jackknifing Truck Accident Lawyer in Springfield

Springfield is the state capital of Illinois. With a population of 117,000, it is the largest city in the central part of the state. I-55 is a major roadway that serves Springfield and provides access to other cities. It has mostly replaced the famous and historic route 66, a scenic byway originally known as the Main Street of America, and later called the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck. Portions of the original road can be visited by tourists and a portion of the brick road is listed on a National Register of Historic Places. Numerous trucks travel through Springfield each day. The number of trucks on the road across the state are increasing with the rise of delivery sources. Unfortunately, when a truck accident occurs, it can be devastating. If you were injured or a loved one died due to a truck jackknifing, you should call the trustworthy Springfield lawyers of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca.

Liability for Springfield Jackknifing Accidents

Jackknifing accidents occur when a driver loses control of the truck they’re operating such that the cab and trailer move into a 90-degree angle, in the shape of a jackknife. A jackknife accident is one of the most dangerous occurrences on the freeway. The truck can cause a chain reaction involving multiple cars and trucks. Usually there are catastrophic injuries for occupants of passenger vehicles.

In most cases, jackknifing the result of a mistake made by the truck driver, trucking company or other parties related to the operation of the truck, such as a third party loading company. Accidents can be prevented when careful truck drivers are hired, and appropriate training is provided by an employer.

Why does jackknifing occur? It can happen because of speeding, inexperienced or untrained drivers, bad weather, improperly balanced cargo, fatigued driving, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, defective truck parts, and improper maintenance. A truck driver may cause a truck to jackknife, for example by going too fast downhill or by hitting the brakes too suddenly when traffic slows. Sometimes, in the name of profits and fast delivery, trucking companies encourage truck drivers to drive while fatigued or to violate hours of service rules designed to prevent fatigued driving. Sometimes a third party loading company balances cargo inappropriately such that the truck’s center of gravity is changed, resulting in a greater likelihood of jackknifing. Trucking companies owe a responsibility to supervise, train, and hire careful truck drivers, but they are also supposed to make sure their trucks are in good operating condition by getting them maintained frequently.

Damages

Our experienced attorneys can seek damages to compensate for the severe injuries typically experienced by truck accident victims. Many injuries like paralysis and brain injuries can require an accident victim to commit to a lifetime of assisted care. Other harms that flow from a jackknifing accident are loss of limbs, spinal cord damage, bone fractures, nerve damage, neck and back injuries, internal organ damage and traumatic brain injuries. In some cases, wrongful death occurs. Compensatory damages we may be able to recover in connection with catastrophic injuries or death include economic losses like lost wages, medical bills, replacement services and out-of-pocket expenses, as well as noneconomic losses like pain and suffering and mental distress.

When a defendant’s conduct was egregious, it may be appropriate to pursue punitive damages, which are damages intended to punish and deter, rather than compensate for losses.

Consult a Seasoned Springfield Jackknifing Accident Attorney

Jackknifing accidents tend to be devastating to multiple people, especially those in smaller vehicles. It is imperative to seek legal counsel if you were injured or a loved one died due to a truck’s jackknifing. You shouldn’t have to go it alone. If you were injured or a loved one died because of a jackknifing accident, you should call the seasoned Springfield truck accident lawyers of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca. We have fought for best results for our personal injury clients for more than 60 years. We also handle SSDI benefits and workers’ compensation claims, as well as subrogation issues that can arise. Call us at 312-724-5846 or complete our online form.