Any traffic wreck involving a commercial truck can be immensely dangerous, but jackknifing incidents tend to have particularly devastating outcomes. These accidents involve a large tractor-trailer skidding sideways across the road, which can sweep up multiple vehicles and result in life-altering injuries.
Accordingly, jackknife truck accidents in Cincinnati tend to make for complicated and expensive civil lawsuits, especially if you proceed without guidance from a legal professional. By retaining a truck accident lawyer with experience in these types of cases, you could gain crucial support toward proving liability and recovering the compensation you need for your losses.
What is Jackknifing for a Tractor-Trailer?
Because tractor-trailers are articulated—meaning they consist of a separate cab and trailer conjoined by a pivoting hitch—momentum can act on different parts of the truck in various ways. If a driver loses control of a semi-truck, the trailer may keep moving at a faster rate than the cab and kick out to the left or right, creating a “jackknife” or V-shape that can hit other property, vehicles, or pedestrians. In some cases, jackknifing trucks could also tip over and roll multiple times, causing significant damage to the vehicle and anything else in its path.
Several factors can lead to a jackknife truck wreck, including:
- Driver error
- Poor road conditions
- Sudden shifting of unsecured cargo
- An unbalanced or overweight trailer
In order to avoid these catastrophic accidents, it is crucial for truck drivers to drive at a safe speed, apply brakes carefully, and—if their truck loses traction—steer into skids rather than trying to stop the vehicle’s motion immediately. If a Cincinnati truck operator is found to have ignored these safe driving principles, an injured victim and their attorney may hold them civilly liable for any harm they caused in the ensuing traffic wreck.
Seeking Compensation After a Jackknife Truck Crash in Cincinnati
A person injured in a jackknife tractor-trailer accident could potentially name a truck driver, trucking company, or both as defendants in a civil lawsuit. In certain cases, third parties may bear liability as well, such as suppliers who loaded the vehicle improperly or mechanics who failed to ensure key components would not fail and cause an accident during transit.
If the victim of a swinging trailer accident can prove that one or more of the defendants caused the collision due to their reckless or careless behavior, compensation may be awarded for a variety of losses. Depending on a plaintiff’s unique needs, a dedicated lawyer could help pursue restitution for any of the following:
- Medical expenses
- Car repair bills
- Lost wages from time out of work
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of future earning capacity
Discuss Jackknife Truck Accident Claims with a Cincinnati Attorney
In the best-case scenario, a jackknifing tractor-trailer only results in a momentary loss of traction and potentially a need for new truck tires. Unfortunately, the more likely outcome of these kinds of incidents is a traffic pileup that involves multiple vehicles and severe injuries.
Pursuing compensation following jackknife truck accidents in Cincinnati is often easier with qualified legal representation by your side. Call today to learn what options are available for your situation.
