Sharing the road with an 18-wheeler can suddenly become highly dangerous if the driver loses control and the vehicle jackknifes. These truck accidents often result in serious injuries to other drivers on the road.
At H&P Law, you can find a skilled, proven Las Vegas jackknife accident lawyer who will work to hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact our Las Vegas truck accident lawyers for a free consultation now. We have recovered over $100 million for our clients and are here to offer legal representation.
Why Jackknife Accidents Happen in Las Vegas
Large trucks, including tractor-trailers, are common fixtures on I-15 as they move in and out of Southern California. Some of the most dangerous accidents occur in the city, often due to commercial vehicle congestion and difficult conditions.
A jackknife accident typically results in the trailer swinging out at a sharp angle from the cab of the truck, creating a characteristic “V” or “L” shape. This happens for several reasons:
- Hard braking. If a commercial driver is not paying attention and slams on the brakes, the trailer cannot slow down fast enough, causing the wheels to lock up and leading to a loss of control.
- Excessive speed. Drivers traveling at high rates of speed are more likely to jackknife when they take on sharp curves in the roadway.
- Improper cargo loading. Cargo not positioned properly on the truck, especially when creating an imbalance, is likely to cause instability that can cause the trailer to swing out.
- Mechanical failures. Trucking systems, especially brake systems, can fail, or tire blowouts can cause a sudden loss of control.
- Driver inexperience and fatigue. Most of the accidents we see involve a combination of drivers not reacting quickly enough to changing conditions or making critical mistakes that cause jackknifing.
Truck drivers know the risks of these incidents and have proper training to avoid and manage them. When they fail and you suffer injuries as a result, you may be able to seek full compensation for the losses you sustained. Our jackknife accident lawyers in Las Vegas have helped many victims of these accidents to get results.
Truck Drivers Can Often Avoid Jackknifing
Truck drivers may be held liable for injuries they cause in these accidents because most jackknife incidents are preventable. Proper slowing and paying attention to changing road conditions minimize the risk, and ensuring slower speeds in poor weather can also help.
Most importantly, truck drivers need to follow federal regulations on vehicle maintenance, skills, and hours of service.
How We Investigate Jackknife Truck Accidents
When an accident like this occurs, you can expect state authorities to investigate and police to file a report. Those actions are important, but they do not build your case. Instead, when you hire our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers, we’ll investigate your case to make clear who is responsible for your losses:
- Gathering commercial logs and data. Many tractor-trailers have black box devices that record the driver’s actions or inactions and can provide valuable insight into what occurred prior to the accident.
- Mechanical repair and maintenance logs. We will determine whether there were mistakes or oversights in the vehicle’s maintenance or if a trucking company neglected to follow federal trucking regulations regarding inspections.
- Witness statements. Witnesses can be invaluable, especially if they can describe what happened immediately before the accident.
- Driver qualification and sobriety records. Truck driver fitness and sobriety are critical factors in these cases and can prove essential.
- Accident reconstruction. We may turn to accident reconstruction experts to rebuild these crashes and demonstrate what happened.
All of this data allows us to determine who is at fault. That might be the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loading company, or another person or entity. This enables your jackknife accident attorney in Las Vegas from H&P Law to file a claim against each responsible party, protecting your recovery.
Types of Serious Injuries After Jackknife Truck Accidents
It is very common for jackknifed trucks to spin out of control, roll over, or otherwise slam into other vehicles. When this happens, the risk of serious injury to others on the road is very high. Some of the injuries we see in these cases include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Broken bones
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Loss of limbs
- Permanent disability
Unfortunately, a high number of people lose their lives in these accidents as well, often through no fault of their own. If your loved one lost their life, do not wait to contact us for a full review of your right to seek justice. Our experienced Las Vegas wrongful death lawyers will fight for a comprehensive recovery of your losses.
Types of Damages You May Claim in a Jackknife Accident
After reviewing your injuries and other losses, you can expect your truck accident lawyer to build a claim that incorporates all details and evidence to back them up. We’ll speak to doctors, employers, witnesses, and experts to gather clarity on each loss you suffered. Some of the most common losses we seek include:
- Medical bills for all of the immediate, current, and ongoing medical costs you have for injuries
- Loss of wages for time missed at work and, potentially, long-term earning potential
- Property damage to your vehicle or other items
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life due to ongoing limitations
- Emotional trauma and mental health complications, such as depression and anxiety
Expect our experience in cases like this to work in your favor, allowing us to build a comprehensive claim that includes all losses you suffered. We will not limit your future by settling fast. Instead, we’ll fight for the maximum recovery of your losses permitted by law.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Las Vegas Jackknife Accident Attorney Today
The statute of limitations in Nevada (NRS § 11.190(4)(e)) limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit, so don’t wait to get started. H&P Law has years of experience fighting for victims against big trucking companies and insurance adjusters. We can start investigating and building your claim immediately.
Speak to a Las Vegas jackknife accident lawyer today to find out what your rights are. You’ll pay us nothing unless we secure compensation for you. Consultations are free.
