A “jackknife” truck accident occurs when a tractor-trailer loses traction with the road surface and skids in such a way that the truck’s cab and trailer end up traveling in different directions from one another. On top of the fact that they almost always occur at high speeds, wrecks of this nature are uniquely dangerous because of how likely they are to collect multiple other vehicles before the truck comes to a stop.
Various forms of negligence can contribute to causing jackknife truck accidents in Shelton. No matter the exact cause of a wreck, it is vital to have help from seasoned legal counsel when filing suit. Once retained, a capable truck accident lawyer at Berkowitz Hanna will be an irreplaceable ally from start to finish of your legal proceedings, working tirelessly to get you paid what you deserve.
Tractor trailers are massive, often weighing up to 80,000 pounds in total. Any collision between a regular commuter car and a semi is bound to cause serious damage to the smaller vehicle and, in most situations, to the people inside it.
Financial restitution alone cannot always completely erase the trauma that a jackknife truck crash in Shelton may cause, but it can be key to mitigating the impact of specific economic and non-economic forms of harm, including:
While rare, it is also possible for a court to impose punitive damages against a truck driver or trucking company if a jackknife wreck occurs due to extremely egregious negligence or illegal conduct. This means additional compensation for injured parties in these situations.
It is not only possible, but usually prudent, to name the company which a negligent truck driver works for (or their insurance provider) as a defendant in a lawsuit over a jackknife truck crash in Shelton. Even if a single driver’s negligence was the sole cause of a wreck like this, that single person will rarely have enough insurance coverage or personal assets to make up for the immense harm the wreck has resulted in, while large trucking companies often do.
Usually, this is possible thanks to the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which essentially allows a company to be held civilly liable for injuries caused by their employers under many circumstances. Alternatively, a lawyer may be able to help pursue legal action against a trucking company based on its own negligent actions—for example, knowingly overloading a truck with cargo and making it more likely the truck would end up jackknifing in transit.
Being involved in a traffic accident with a jackknifing semi-truck is a life-altering experience. Fortunately, you may have grounds to demand substantial civil restitution after a crash like this—but only if you understand and then effectively enforce your rights under Connecticut law.
Getting a favorable case result in the wake of a jackknife truck accident in Shelton will be much easier with a knowledgeable legal professional by your side. Our team at Berkowitz Hanna has extensive experience helping people like you get the compensation they deserve. Call us today to set up your free initial consultation.
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