Jackknife Accidents
The average tractor-trailer is much larger and heavier than the average passenger vehicle, and these vehicles are capable of inflicting massive damage during accidents with other vehicles. A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer misaligns with the cab and swings out to one side, forming a V or L shape and potentially crashing into multiple lanes of traffic. If you or a loved one suffered injuries and other damages from a jackknife accident in New Mexico, contact Fine Law Firm today to schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney. Once we review your claim, we can determine what you could receive from a successful lawsuit.
Why Choose Fine Law Firm?
- The attorneys of the Fine Law Firm have more than 40 years of experience with truck accident claims in New Mexico, a level of experience few other firms can match.
- We have successfully maintained a 99% success rate with the cases we take thanks to our keen attention to detail and individualized representation for every client.
- Our attorneys are compassionate professionals who understand that a jackknife accident can result in devastating injuries and complex legal issues.
- We offer contingency fee billing to ensure our clients can afford legal representation. We only collect legal fees when we win as a portion of the case award.
How Can an Attorney Help?
Many factors can cause a jackknife accident. Determining liability for such an accident may require extensive legal research, collaboration with technical experts, safety consultants, and other professionals. An attorney can help connect with these expert witnesses, subpoena evidence such as trucking company maintenance records, hiring records, and driver logs, and handle difficult insurance claims.
A person recovering from injuries sustained in a jackknife accident will likely not have the time or energy to devote to self-representation. Such a decision may cost the plaintiff more in the long run. A resulting settlement may be only a fraction of what the plaintiff could have secured with an attorney, or a judge may throw out the claim due to missed deadlines or procedural errors.
How Do Jackknife Accidents Happen?
A tractor-trailer can jackknife for various reasons. The number of vehicles nearby, the speed and direction of travel, and the curvature of the road are all determining factors in the total damage.
- A trailer connects to a truck cab through a series of complex connections and systems that require careful inspection before every trip and routine maintenance as required by federal regulations. Defective parts or ineffective maintenance could cause these systems to fail and the trailer to dislodge from the cab or swing out to one side.
- A third party could cut in front of a truck driver suddenly and cause the driver to swerve and jackknife the trailer.
- Tractor-trailers have high centers of gravity, and the trailer is the heaviest part of a fully loaded tractor-trailer. This means tractor-trailers are susceptible to shifts in elevation and balance. If a truck travels too fast around a curve, the trailer may swing wide and create a jackknife accident.
- Blown tires can throw a tractor-trailer’s axles off balance and cause the trailer to swing into a jackknife position.
- Uneven or damaged road surfaces could cause a severe enough bump to throw the wheels out of alignment or interrupt the trailer’s balance, causing it to jackknife.
Let Us Help You Today
Contact Fine Law Firm today to schedule a free case evaluation. After reviewing the details of your situation, we can explain what to expect from a lawsuit and the types of compensation our firm can help you recover.