Indianapolis Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), semi-trucks were involved in more than 5,000 accidents on Indiana roads in 2023, resulting in thousands of injuries and more than 100 deaths. Jackknifed trucks caused many of these crashes, which had catastrophic consequences for passenger vehicles.

If you are involved in a jackknife accident, contacting a top-rated truck accident lawyer in Indianapolis is crucial. Our team understands your rights and provides legal assistance to secure fair compensation for any injuries and damages you’ve suffered. Our team will guide you through the legal process, handle negotiations with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.

Our experienced team at Vaughn A. Wamsley has successfully assisted hundreds of accident victims in achieving fair compensation so they can move forward with their lives. With our proven track record, we are ready to provide you with the highest level of professional help and understanding of your rights.

What is a Jackknife Truck Accident?

A jackknife accident occurs when a truck goes into a skid on the road, and the driver cannot get the vehicle under control before the trailer swings around to form an acute angle with the cab. The resulting shape of the truck resembles a pocketknife, hence the term “jackknife.”

Many causes can result in a jackknife accident, including driver error, precipitation on the roadway, mechanical failure, and more.

When other vehicles are caught up in an accident with a jackknifed truck, the results can be devastating. The severity of accidents between passenger vehicles and trucks is exacerbated by the vast size disparity between the two types of vehicles. This size difference leads to tremendous property damage and severe injuries, including death.

If you or a loved one is involved in an accident caused by a jackknifed truck, contact an Indianapolis jackknife truck accident lawyer immediately to learn more about your right to fair compensation.

Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents

Jackknife accidents occur for various reasons, but here are some of the most common.

• Driver Error – Sudden braking, speeding, taking turns too fast, and distracted driving are among the mistakes truck drivers make that result in jackknife accidents.
• Dangerous Road Conditions – Roads covered in precipitation, including rain, ice, or snow, can create difficult driving conditions that lead to jackknife accidents. Additionally, roads altered by construction work, winding streets, or steep declines or inclines increase the likelihood of jackknifing a truck.
• Improper Loading – Cargo that is improperly loaded onto a trailer may create conditions for a jackknife accident. Improper loads may include too much weight being loaded onto a trailer or uneven weight distribution of the freight.
• Driver Fatigue—Semi-truck drivers are known to drive long hours both day and night, covering many miles. Though the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates drive times, truck drivers may still suffer from fatigue while operating their vehicles.
• Inadequate Training – If trucking companies fail to train their drivers properly, truck operators may not know what to do if their vehicle begins to skid, resulting in a jackknife accident. Sadly, some truck drivers are not adequately trained, which leads to jackknife accidents.
• Mechanical Failure—Truck parts that fail due to poor manufacturing or improper maintenance can lead to jackknife accidents. Brake failure, tire blowouts, and worn treads are leading causes of jackknife crashes.

Typical Injuries in Jackknife Truck Accidents

Occupants of a passenger vehicle that collides with a jackknife truck often suffer severe injuries due to the size difference between the two vehicles. While the types and severity of bodily damage vary in each accident, here are some of the most common types of injuries sustained in jackknife accidents.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries – Accident victims frequently suffer trauma to their head and brain, including concussions and other brain injuries due to the impact of the crash and movement of the head, which may strike hard objects inside the car.
• Spinal Cord Injuries, including Paralysis – Severe spinal cord injuries, ranging from whiplash through paralysis, may occur as the result of a jackknife accident with a truck. Sudden impacts jolt the body with incredible force, leading to devastating injuries.
• Broken Bones – The impact of a large truck on a passenger vehicle frequently results in broken bones, including legs, arms, ribs, and more. Occupants often suffer multiple fractures in an impact with a truck.
• Internal Injuries – Additionally, accident victims often suffer internal injuries in collisions with trucks, which can be extremely severe. Collapsed lungs, internal bleeding, and other injuries to organs may cause severe damage and require ongoing treatment.
• Death – Sadly, jackknife truck accidents cause fatal injuries for victims every year. The sheer size of a semi-truck makes it extremely dangerous in any type of collision, particularly a jackknife accident.

If you’ve been injured in a jackknife truck crash, a truck accident lawyer near me can help you submit a claim to compensate you for medical bills, ongoing medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. You have the right to seek compensation for all the financial and emotional hardships you’ve endured as a result of the accident.

Vaughn Knows What You Are Going Through

You Don’t Pay Unless We Win

Time Is Not On Your Side After An Accident. Call Vaughn Wamsley NOW.

317-846-1080

Liability in a Jackknife Truck Accident

Determining who is at fault in the event of an accident is a convoluted process, as is deciding whether or not to award compensation, including what is fair. This complexity underscores the need for the expertise of a jackknife truck accident attorney in Indianapolis.

A jackknife truck accident attorney in Indianapolis can help you navigate federal and state laws determining fault and compensation in a crash.

Fortunately, the experienced team at Vaughn A. Wamsley has successfully assisted hundreds of clients involved in truck accidents to secure life-changing compensation covering all costs incurred due to a crash. We leave no stone unturned to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

We are ready to help you understand your rights and fight for what you deserve.

Federal Regulations

The FMCSA heavily regulates the trucking industry, with safety as its primary goal. Among the most pertinent regulations at the federal are:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations: FMCSA regulates the number of hours a truck driver can drive without taking a break.
• Vehicular Maintenance Regulations: These regulations require trucking companies to maintain their trucks properly. Additionally, service companies must keep detailed records of the services they provide.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: Commercial vehicle drivers must undergo drug and alcohol testing to minimize the possibility of impaired drivers operating trucks.

State Regulations

In addition to the aforementioned federal laws, several state regulations are also relevant to truck accidents in Indiana.

• Comparative Negligence: Indiana follows a “modified comparative negligent” rule, meaning that accident victims are entitled to recover damages if determined to be less than 51 percent at fault in a crash. Additionally, victims may have their compensation reduced by a percentage equivalent to the amount they are at fault in the accident.
• Statute of Limitations: In most cases, the statute of limitations for bringing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident in Indiana. Therefore, accident victims should contact a top-rated attorney as soon as possible following a crash.
• Damages Available: In Indiana, accident victims may seek compensation for various damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.

You deserve a top-rated truck accident lawyer in Indiana who understands how federal and state regulations apply to your case and will fight to recover all the damages you are entitled to.

Potential At-Fault Parties

We’ve been helping truck accident victims for a long time and understand that jackknife accidents happen for various reasons. Because the truck driver is not always the only one to blame, we help hold anyone who contributed to the accident responsible.

Parties who may be fully or partially liable in an accident include:

• Truck Drivers: Human error, including speeding, distracted driving, hard braking, and driving too fast in certain conditions, is a leading cause of jackknife truck accidents.
• Trucking Companies: Employers may be held liable for their drivers’ actions, particularly as they relate to the company’s practices regarding safety regulations, training, and compliance with federal and state laws.
• Third-Party Maintenance Providers: Companies that service trucks may be liable if they do not provide adequate maintenance, which results in an accident, or if they have not correctly documented services provided.
• Parts Manufacturers: Companies that manufacture trucks and vehicle parts may be at least partially at fault if mechanical failure leads to a crash. Defective parts are a common contributor to jackknife accidents.
• Cargo Loaders: Freight improperly loaded into a trailer, including overloading or improper weight distribution, can cause a truck to jackknife. In this instance, cargo loaders may be held liable.

How a Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

The results of your involvement in a jackknife truck accident can be devastating physically, mentally, and financially. Fortunately, our team is ready to assist you in securing the compensation you deserve to help you move forward with your life as quickly as possible.

Our Indianapolis jackknife truck accident lawyer offers:

• Free Consultation: We offer a free consultation to discuss your accident and evaluate your case.
• Accident Investigation: Our team thoroughly investigates your accident by interviewing witnesses, reviewing evidence, and consulting with experts to establish liability.
• Communicating With Insurance Companies: We know how to communicate with insurance companies effectively, so you don’t have to. Our experienced team knows how to get the most from insurance companies.
• Securing Fair Compensation: Our team will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. We aim to secure a fair settlement with insurance companies but will take your case to court if necessary to ensure a just outcome for you.

Contact Our Indianapolis Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer

A top-rated truck accident lawyer in Indiana offering years of experience, extensive resources, and personalized attention gives you a significant advantage when seeking fair compensation for injuries and damages in the unfortunate event of a crash.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation if you or a loved one has been involved in a jackknife truck accident.