It’s likely that you see at least one commercial truck in your daily commute. These are essential vehicles that help transport goods all across the country, but they can also be dangerous. Their size and the weight of the cargo they carry can make any error or malfunction deadly. Of all of the types of accidents trucks can cause, jackknife accidents are one of the most severe.
If you’ve suffered injuries in a jackknife accident in Port St. Lucie, FL, you can give yourself the best chance of recovering the losses you sustained by hiring Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers. We have 80 years of combined experience and have recovered over $200 million for our clients. Contact us today at (772) 444-7000 to learn more and to schedule a free consultation.
How Kibbey Wagner Can Help After a Jackknife Accident in Port St. Lucie, Florida
Truck accidents can result in serious injuries and even wrongful deaths, as the vehicle’s sheer size and weight can cause collisions that impact numerous drivers in catastrophic ways. If you have suffered severe injuries in a jackknife truck accident, you may be able to file a claim for compensation under Florida law.
At Kibbey Wagner, our team of Port St. Lucie truck accident attorneys can assist you every step of the way. We offer services that include:
- Evaluating the claim
- Investigating the truck accident
- Gathering evidence
- Speaking with witnesses
- Establishing liability
- Communicating and negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing your case in court, if needed
We can guide you through the entire claims process while you put all of your efforts toward healing. Contact our team to schedule a free consultation with one of our jackknife accident attorneys in Port St. Lucie, Florida, today.
Understanding How Jackknife Accidents Occur
Jackknife accidents are serious collisions in which the trailer of a commercial truck pushes the cabin to the side, causing the truck to fold like a jackknife. In the majority of cases, this accident occurs when the truck’s cabin skids or tries to come to a stop, but the trailer doesn’t slow down or stop. There are a number of reasons why this can occur.
Speeding
Truckers who are traveling at speeds that are higher than the posted limit or than road conditions allow can cause jackknife collisions. In 2021, speeding was the leading driver-related factor in fatal truck accidents throughout the country.
A truck driver who speeds will have less time to react to hazards. This could lead them to respond to anything that poses a danger by abruptly hitting the brakes. Because the trailer is so heavy and large, such momentum can propel it forward, folding the vehicle into a jackknife formation.
Distracted Driving
Truckers spend hours behind the wheel, and that can get monotonous. To keep themselves entertained, they may turn the radio on, listen to an audiobook, or even resort to using their phones. All of these behaviors are dangerous because they take attention away from the road. A trucker can easily lose control of the vehicle if they aren’t watching what they’re doing.
Fatigued Driving
Truckers have very strict driving hours they must adhere to. These regulations strive to prevent drivers who are too tired from operating these large vehicles, as driving while fatigued is similar to driving while intoxicated. It can be much harder to focus on the road, and truckers can struggle with coordination and reflexes. All of these factors could lead to them losing control.
Road Conditions
Roads that aren’t in good condition, whether because of weather issues or damaged asphalt, can cause a commercial truck to skid.
Improper Cargo Loading
Commercial trucks must be loaded correctly to ensure that the center of gravity doesn’t change while on the road. If the cargo shifts en route, jackknife and even roll-over accidents may be much more likely to occur.
Contact Our Port St. Lucie Jackknife Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you sustained serious injuries in a Florida truck accident, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim. Having a dedicated attorney on your side can make it easier to establish liability. In these kinds of accidents, there may be more than one party at fault, especially if there were loading problems or if an inexperienced driver was behind the wheel.
Contact Kibbey Wagner today to schedule a free consultation. Our Port St. Lucie jackknife accident attorneys will work to maximize the value of your claim from the beginning.
--------------------------------------------------