Jackknife truck accidents can be terrifying. When a commercial truck’s trailer swings out of its lane, it could collide with other, smaller vehicles that might be crushed or pushed into oncoming traffic.
Contact the law firm of Berkowitz Hanna immediately if you were involved in a jackknife truck accident in Stamford. Our experienced truck accident attorneys can investigate the crash, identify the responsible parties, and hold them accountable for your injuries.
The state has a fault-based system for managing vehicle accident claims. The driver or other party who caused the accident must pay the losses of others involved in the crash. An injured person seeking compensation after an accident must prove another party’s negligence caused their injury.
Negligence in most traffic accidents means a driver did not use reasonable care to avoid harming others. However, commercial drivers are held to a higher standard. Truckers must use extra care to avoid causing harm to others on the road.
Almost any deviation from best safety practices or any violation of law or regulations could be evidence that a trucker or trucking company was negligent. However, it is essential to contact one of our Stamford attorneys as soon as possible after a jackknife crash so that they can demand the preservation of potentially relevant evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
A jackknife happens when a truck’s trailer leaves its lane and moves at an angle to the cab. Semis and tractor-trailers are unwieldy, and their weight must be managed correctly to prevent accidents. A strong wind could cause a trailer to jackknife, especially if it is empty or only partially loaded.
Improperly loaded cargo could shift and cause a jackknife. Mechanical issues like brake failure, frozen steering, a tire blowout, or a broken axle could also lead to a jackknife.
Jackknives often occur when a trucker is speeding or driving too fast for conditions. They also might happen when a driver brakes hard to avoid an obstacle. A Stamford accident attorney might engage an accident reconstruction expert to identify the cause or causes of a jackknife crash.
Truck driver negligence usually contributes to a jackknife accident. When a trucker is negligent, an injured person can hold the trucking company responsible for their employee’s actions. When the trucker is an independent contractor, the trucking company still might be liable due to negligent hiring, an unreasonable delivery schedule that caused driver fatigue, or failure to ensure the vehicle was properly maintained.
When a shifting load caused a jackknife, the company that loaded the vehicle could be at fault. The vehicle owner, the company with the maintenance contract, and the vehicle manufacturer could be liable when a mechanical failure contributed to the accident. Other drivers might have some responsibility if their actions led the trucker to take evasive measures.
An injured person is sometimes partially at fault for a truck accident. Connecticut General Statutes § 52-572h allows people injured in accidents to collect reduced compensation from others if they were not primarily responsible for the crash. Our Stamford attorneys work diligently to ensure that blame for a jackknife accident does not rest too heavily on an injured person’s shoulders.
Transportation companies and their insurers employ teams of professionals whose only job is to keep payouts for injuries to a minimum. You might not receive a fair settlement for your injuries without savvy legal representation.
Contact us right away if you were injured in a jackknife truck accident in Stamford. At Berkowitz Hanna, we will advocate zealously to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.
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