Maryland Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured after a tractor-trailer collides with your car, contact a Maryland Jackknife truck accident lawyer to discuss your rights and responsibilities. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file a lawsuit for monetary damages. A compassionate truck accident attorney can work with you to seek the damages you deserve.
Defining Jackknife Accidents
A Jackknife accident occurs when a tractor-trailer truck cab moves in one direction, while the trailer swings in another direction. The trailer propels forward, usually in an L or V shape, and the driver is typically unable to stop their vehicle from swerving out of control.
These types of accidents have been known to be potentially very dangerous and in some cases, even fatal. In cases where a jackknife accident occurs, common causes may include vehicle malfunction, driver negligence, employer negligence and other causes.
A vehicle could have poorly maintained brakes or wiring, thereby causing an accident. A Maryland jackknife truck accident lawyer can demand information on behalf of an accident victim to reduce the stress that these procedures can cause an individual.
What Happens When Brakes Lock Up?
In many cases, a truck’s trailer brakes may lock up due to improper braking.Truck drivers are trained on the procedures to follow while operating a Big Rig. Failure to adhere to these rules and regulations could cause an accident, by the negligence of the driver.
In certain instances, an employer may be liable for the actions undertaken by the truck driver. An employer could possibly be liable for negligent hiring or failure to adequately train. Some employers distribute safety manuals without reviewing the details with the truck driver, leaving the driver unequipped to handle emergency situations.
Other causes include driver inattention, improper driving due to poor road conditions, poor weather conditions, and even the force of a prior collision.
Common Injuries
Jackknife truck accidents can be devastating. Some injuries require injections to assist with the pain, or surgery to correct a serious injury. Injured parties should speak to Maryland jackknife truck accident lawyers regarding types of damages they can obtain. Examples of the types of injuries a jackknife truck accident victim could suffer from include:
- Dysfunction of a joint or body part
- Spinal disorder (herniation, bulge, tear)
- Sprains
- Burns
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Post-traumatic headaches
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Loss of function, use of body part, eyesight, etc.
Possible Defenses
Defense attorneys handle many car and truck accident lawsuits every year. They have certain defenses that they routinely raise throughout the course of litigation. A Maryland jackknife truck accidents lawyer can strategize against these defenses, which include:
- Not a serious claim. The lack of ambulance or emergency room treatment will lead many defense attorneys to question the validity or seriousness of the injury, considering it did not require immediate medical attention
- The plaintiff (accident victim, or person who brings a lawsuit) actually caused or contributed to the accident
- Another vehicle (“phantom”) may have caused the accident, not the named defendant
- The truck driver responded reasonably to an emergency situation, not of their own making
- The plaintiff is exaggerating the injuries claimed
- Causation defense. The accident’s injuries were caused by another prior or subsequent loss
- The injuries are actually due to the normal wear and tear of the human body
Contacting a Lawyer
If you were hurt in a jackknife truck accident, do not hesitate to speak with a Maryland jackknife truck accident lawyer. Under the law of the state of Maryland, an individual only has three years to file a lawsuit as a result of a trucking injury.
In most cases, you will not be able to sue if the statute of limitations has expired. If you have questions or concerns, contact a Maryland accident attorney for more information.
