Jackknife truck accidents in Miramar Beach often result in vehicle damage, severe injuries, and even death. These types of accidents commonly occur when large trucks that attach to a coupling device, such as semis, become off balance and swing perpendicularly, striking other vehicles in the process.
The size of these vehicles may affect vehicles across multiple lanes, making them especially dangerous and sometimes deadly. When you are injured or lose a loved one in a crash with a tractor-trailer, reach out to our compassionate team of attorneys at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon for help.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Jackknife truck wrecks happen when the truck’s trailer swings out to the side and forms a 90-degree angle with the vehicle’s cab. The configuration resembles a folding jackknife, explaining where this type of accident got its name.
Causes of Jackknife Crashes
Jackknife truck accidents can occur for many different reasons. Some causes are the fault of the driver or the trucking company, while others happen due to extenuating circumstances. Some of the most common causes of jackknife truck collisions in Miramar Beach are:
- Speeding
- Blown tires
- Brake failure
- Curved roads
- Braking too fast
- Fatigued drivers
- Insufficient training
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Road conditions or debris in the road
- Faulty maintenance and equipment failure
- Intoxication or otherwise driving under the influence
- Weather or the failure to take weather conditions into account
Our team of seasoned lawyers at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon can help you build a legal case based on any of these factors to prove another party’s negligence.
Jackknife Truck Collisions and the Law
If the evidence reveals that the accident happened due to negligence, you could obtain a settlement to cover your medical bills and other expenses such as lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Legal Considerations
Though some jackknife truck accidents may fall into the no-fault category, many involve culpability for one or more parties. Those found liable may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The manufacturer
- The cargo loading company
In some cases, more than one party may face liability. For example, suppose dangerous weather conditions appear to be the cause. In that case, the driver may be liable for not taking the weather into account, and the trucking company may face liability for ensuring the driver still meets the deadline or not properly training the driver for inclement weather conditions.
Medical Considerations
While some jackknife 18-wheeler accidents result in death, many more victims end up temporarily or permanently disabled from the following types of injuries:
Our dedicated lawyers in Miramar Beach can demand comprehensive compensation for the full extent of your losses following a collision with a jackknifing tractor-trailer.
Steps to Take After a Jackknife Accident
If you are a victim of a jackknife truck crash in Miramar Beach, follow these steps:
- Make your health the top priority. Call 911 immediately to report the accident to the police and to get medical attention.
- If possible, get the insurance information from the truck driver.
- Contact experienced legal representation.
- You or an advocate should follow up routinely on the claim’s progress. Ensure you stay in touch to answer questions or provide information.
Speak to a Miramar Beach Lawyer After a Jackknife Truck Crash
Our full-service law firm began serving the communities of Miramar Beach and Pensacola, Florida, in 1913. We continue to evolve with the times but maintain our core principle of doing our best to get our clients the compensation they deserve.
Our team of legal professionals is well-versed in the latest federal and state legislation surrounding truck accidents. If you are a victim of a jackknife truck accident in Miramar Beach, please don’t hesitate to contact Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon for legal assistance. Call today to schedule a consultation.
