Accidents involving commercial trucks are dangerous and often result in serious injuries. One of the most hazardous types of truck accidents in Lakewood, CO, is a jackknifing accident.
When a truck jackknifes, it can cause multi-vehicle crashes with significant damages and catastrophic injuries. If you’ve been injured in a Lakewood, Colorado, jackknife accident, a Lakewood jackknife truck accident lawyer can help. Contact Matos personal injury lawyers to discuss your case with a Lakewood jackknife truck accident attorney.
How Matos Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After Your Jackknife Accident
Since 2016, Matos Personal Injury Lawyers have been representing accident victims in Lakewood. We have nearly 40 years of combined experience and have recovered millions of dollars for accident victims.
When you work with our Lakewood personal injury lawyers, we’ll:
- Investigate your case to determine who was at fault;
- Gather evidence to support your case;
- Calculate and document damages;
- File a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company;
- Negotiate with the insurance company;
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court;
- Handle all administrative tasks.
Let our team of Lakewood truck accident attorneys represent you so you can focus on getting your life back to normal after an accident. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Lakewood jackknife accident attorney.
What Is Jackknifing?
A semi-truck involves two parts: the tractor and the trailer. The tractor unit contains the engine and front axle. The trailer unit is attached to the tractor unit. A truck jackknifes when the trailer travels at a different speed than the tractor unit.
When a truck jackknifes, the trailer swings out and there’s a sharp angle between the tractor and trailer. This can lead to the truck hitting other vehicles. When a trailer swings in a jackknife accident, the significant force involved can crush other vehicles or objects. The force can also cause the semi-truck to flip.
What Causes a Truck to Jackknife?
The unfortunate reality is that most jackknife accidents can be prevented. That said, several factors commonly cause jackknife accidents.
The most common causes of a truck jackknifing are:
- The driver braked too quickly and did not allow enough space to brake.
- Unsafe road conditions. A slick or uneven road can create a speed differential between the truck and trailer, causing it to jackknife.
- Improper loading of the trailer. If the trailer is not properly loaded and secured, it can leave it unbalanced and at risk of jackknifing.
- Driver error. A driver who is fatigued, inexperienced, or not appropriately adapting to road conditions can cause a truck to jackknife.
Common Injuries After a Jackknife Accident
Given the force involved in jackknife accidents, these crashes often result in severe injuries.
The injuries we see the most after jackknife crashes are:
- Neck and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Wrongful death
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact a Lakewood personal injury lawyer to discuss your injuries and learn more.
How Can Jackknife Accidents Be Prevented?
Given the severity of most jackknife accidents, truck companies and drivers should do everything they can to prevent jackknife accidents. This type of accident is most often caused by negligence of the driver, and most jackknife accidents can be prevented.
The best ways to prevent jackknife accidents are:
- Training all drivers. All commercial truck drivers need to be thoroughly trained on how to handle semi-trucks. This training should include teaching drivers how to navigate adverse road conditions and handle emergencies on the road.
- Properly loading all trucks. There are clear guidelines about how trailers should be loaded and cargo should be secured. Trucking companies should comply with all guidelines to ensure cargo is stable and balanced.
- Staying on top of maintenance. Regular maintenance ensures that trucks are in good condition and functioning properly. This prevents mechanical failure that can cause a crash.
- Utilizing available technology. Companies should take advantage of technology that helps reduce the risk of accidents – for example, anti-lock braking and stability control.
When companies are negligent with maintenance, loading, or driver training, it can lead to serious accidents. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, call Matos Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your rights.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Jackknife Accidents?
Negligence by the driver or trucking company is the most common cause of jackknife accidents. If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, that party can be held responsible for all of your damages.
The parties most commonly responsible for jackknife accidents are:
- Drivers
- Trucking companies
- Truck manufacturers
- Government agencies
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help determine who was at fault in your accident and ensure the responsible party is held accountable for their actions. Schedule a free consultation with a Lakewood personal injury lawyer to learn more.
What Damages Are Available After a Colorado Truck Accident
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you’re likely entitled to compensation for all of your losses. The at-fault party is responsible for making victims “whole” after an accident. This means compensating them for all economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages reimburse victims for tangible losses after a truck accident, including the following:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property Damage
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy expenses
Non-economic damages compensate victims for more abstract losses after an accident, including the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and disfigurement
An experienced attorney can help you pursue all available compensation.
Contact a Lakewood Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, Matos Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Our team has helped victims recover millions of dollars to help get their lives back on track after an accident.
Call our team today at (720) 912 7274 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your truck accident with a Lakewood jackknife truck accident lawyer. You can also schedule an online visit to our Lakewood, CO, personal injury office.