Jackknife truck accidents are some of the more serious crashes that happen on our roads. FMCSA records indicate that just a few years ago, there were 107,000 injury-causing and 4,824 fatal jackknife truck accidents.
At Blackburn Romey, we know that injured victims of such accidents in Indiana may have legal recourse, especially if the negligence of another party played a role. Call our Indiana truck accident lawyers now for more information.
Jackknifing in trucking involves the trailer of a semi-truck swinging out to the side and forming a 90-degree angle with the truck’s cab. This situation is often caused by a loss of traction between the tires of the trailer and the road surface, leading to the trailer sliding out of alignment with the cab.
There are several causes of jackknife truck accidents. The most common causes include the following:
Your attorney will investigate the accident to ascertain its cause and identify any negligence responsible for the crash.
If you suffer losses in a jackknifing truck accident, the next steps involve protecting your health and legal rights.
You need to obtain immediate medical assessment for your injuries. Also, follow up with all recommended treatments and visits to avoid treatment gaps.
Immediately notify the police and file an accident report. The law requires reporting an accident involving bodily injury, fatality, or property damages of more than $1,000. Ensure that you accurately document all details of the accident, as this forms the official record of the accident.
Importantly, call your truck accident attorney to handle your case from here. A truck accident is different from a car accident in the way each is handled. Your lawyer will make this clear to you, gather evidence, and take up the legal process.
Many jackknife accidents that have happened on our roads can be avoided. Here are some of the tips a truck driver can use to avoid knife accidents:
The cause of a truck accident is very important in determining the fault. Your lawyer will gather and analyze the available evidence to ascertain the cause of the jackknife truck accident and establish liability. Operating statewide, our expert truck accident lawyers in Fort Wayne lead our efforts in providing high-quality legal assistance, also serving South Bend, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Merrillville, and Terre Haute. At our Blackburn Romey, our lawyers work to persuade the liable party and their insurance companies to pay for all your injuries. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Tom Blackburn, who has more than 47 years of legal experience, including over 39 years specializing as a personal injury attorney.
