An out-of-control tractor-trailer almost always results in serious injury and substantial property damage. Due to traffic congestion, crashes on Los Angeles freeways are frequently multi-vehicle accidents. When one of those vehicles is an 80,000-pound jackknifed rig, the destruction can be devastating.
If you’re injured in a jackknife accident in Los Angeles, CA, you need an aggressive and knowledgeable Los Angeles truck accident attorney to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers is the firm to call. We have more than 100 years of combined experience – and we’ll use that to fight for the compensation you deserve. Our adept negotiators and fierce trial attorneys have recovered over $400 million in life-changing settlements and verdicts for injured victims like you.
Our legal team in Los Angeles, California is standing by to fight for your future. Call (877) 300-4535 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
How M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Jackknife Accident in Los Angeles
Truck accidents are some of the most complicated to deal with and the toughest to fight. Trucking companies have lots of resources—which they’ll use to fight your claim, not pay it. Our experienced Los Angeles truck accident lawyers have the experience, tenacity, and training to put you on equal footing when you’re fighting for your future.
When you hire our award-winning legal team, we’ll:
- Thoroughly investigate your accident to determine what caused the rig to jackknife
- Interview witnesses and collect other evidence to support your case
- Calculate your damages to account for all future medical needs and loss of earning capacity
- Handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Hire experts to analyze technical aspects of your accident
- Send a top-rated litigator to present your case to a jury, if necessary
Our lawyers have been recognized by National Trial Lawyers as some of the best in the country (top 100 trial lawyers and top 40 under 40 trial lawyers). We’ve earned our lifelong membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum from our outstanding record of success.
Contact our Los Angeles jackknife accident lawyers to discuss your case. Initial consultations are free—call now to schedule your appointment.
What is a Jackknife Accident?
A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer attached to a truck swings forward and makes an L or V shape (like a folding pocket knife). A rig jackknifes when the trailer goes into a skid that can’t be corrected. We typically think of jackknife accidents with large tractor-trailers, but smaller truck and trailer combinations, like RVs, can also jackknife.
What Causes Jackknife Accidents in Los Angeles?
Many jackknife accidents are caused by a mistake made by one or more people in the chain of events leading up to the crash.
Some common reasons trucks end up in jackknife accidents are:
Driving Too Fast for Conditions
This may not even mean exceeding the speed limit. If it’s raining, or if traffic conditions otherwise warrant it, drivers should adjust their speed accordingly. A passenger car or pickup may fishtail if it gets out of control, but the same conditions can cause a big rig to jackknife.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
Semi-trucks seem big and tough, but they can be extremely sensitive if the weight isn’t just right. Overloaded trucks are harder to maneuver and harder to stop—and an out-of-control truck can end up jackknifing.
Empty trailers also pose a jackknife risk since the trailer can come flying forward if the big rig stops suddenly. Uneven weight distribution or improperly secured cargo make the trailer susceptible to sway, which can cause jackknifing.
Inexperienced Drivers
Even when they have the proper training and certification, new drivers facing unexpected challenges on the road can make mistakes. Seasoned drivers are more likely to know how to apply the proper braking pressure and judge the appropriate speed when turning or cornering. Lack of experience with these skills could throw a rookie driver into a jackknife accident.
Who’s Liable for a Jackknife Accident in Los Angeles?
You may be quick to assume that the truck driver is responsible for a jackknife accident. Even if that’s the case, other parties may be liable for injuries and property damage. If the driver is employed by a trucking company, the trucking company will typically be held liable, not the individual employee. Of course, there are always exceptions. Each case must be investigated and analyzed to determine all the parties involved and each party’s role in the accident.
Parties who could be held liable for a jackknife truck crash include:
- The truck driver
- The driver of a passenger vehicle
- Trucking company
- Owner of the cargo
- Maintenance company
- Government entity
Our Los Angeles jackknife accident attorneys will get right to work investigating the cause of the accident. Everyone will be pointing fingers and trying to get out of taking responsibility. We’ll do everything possible to make sure those responsible pay their fair share.
Get Help From Our Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers After a Jackknife Accident
If you were injured or lost a family member in a jackknife accident in Los Angeles, CA, you deserve to have an experienced, battle-tested lawyer fighting for you. The advocates at M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers have won some of the biggest truck verdicts in California. Through trial wins and successful settlements, we’ve recovered $400 million (and counting) for our clients over the years.
Call our LA law office today to schedule your free consultation.
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