Jackknife Truck Accidents in Harrisonburg
To maximize their turning radius and facilitate easier loading and unloading of cargo, semi-trucks are connected to their trailers via a single freely rotating joint. With these benefits, though, comes a unique drawback: because the cab and trailer each have their own momentum relative to each other, they can wind up skidding in different directions and/or at different speeds if the truck loses traction with the road.
As any experienced truck injury lawyer knows all too well, a truck that “jackknifes” like this can collide with multiple other cars in a very short span of time and cause catastrophic harm to everything—and everyone—in its path. If you are dealing with serious injuries stemming from a jackknife truck accident in Harrisonburg, the Price Benowitz team can help you effectively seek civil compensation for your wreck-related losses.
How Do Negligent Truck Drivers Cause Jackknife Wrecks?
There are various ways in which a long-haul trucker’s careless and/or illegal behavior behind the wheel can lead to their truck jackknifing and causing serious harm to other people around them. Speeding is a particularly common culprit at the heart of many accidents of this nature, but so too are things like improper braking technique, taking turns too sharply or too quickly, distracted driving, and drunk or high driving.
It is worth mentioning as well that some jackknife truck crashes in Harrisonburg stem partially or even primarily from the negligence of someone other than the person who was operating that truck at the time of the incident. Depending on the circumstances, a skilled truck accident attorney may be able to help build a claim against a mechanic who failed to ensure a truck was in good working order prior to transit, a manufacturer that produced defective truck components, or even a supplier who failed to properly secure cargo while loading it into a truck’s trailer.
Seeking Fair Recovery Within Filing Deadlines
Through a comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand over a Harrisonburg jackknife truck wreck, you can seek recovery for both short-term and long-term losses, like:
- Emergency medical bills and expected future care costs
- Lost work income and/or future earning potential
- Personal property damage and related expenses
- Disability-related costs for assistive equipment, home modifications, etc.
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental trauma and distress
- Decline in overall quality of life, and other intangible effects of permanent disability/disfigurement
However, even if your injuries will persist for the rest of your life, you only have a limited amount of time under state law in which to file suit against the person or people at fault for the harm you suffered. More specifically, Code of Virginia § 8.01-243 gives most personal injury victims a maximum of two years to file suit, starting from the date on which their injury actually occurred.
Discuss Legal Options With a Harrisonburg Attorney Following a Jackknife Truck Accident
A jackknifing tractor-trailer is one of the most frightening and one of the most dangerous things you can see ahead of you on a public highway. However, if you were caught up in a wreck like this recently, you should know that you may have important legal options at your disposal, which a capable truck injury lawyer can help you take full advantage of.
A member of the Price Benowitz team can discuss your rights and possible recovery options after a jackknife truck accident in Harrisonburg during a free case evaluation. Schedule yours by calling today.
