Tampa Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer
Jackknife truck crashes can cause entire highways to shut down as the wreckage is cleared and the injured parties are attended to. For those hurt, that is just the beginning. Injuries sustained in a jackknife truck accident can take months to recover from, which means medical expenses, physical therapy, time away from work, and pain. Filing a personal injury claim can help ease the financial burden of such an accident. For help beginning the legal process of seeking compensation, speak to a skilled Tampa jackknife truck accident lawyer at Matassini Law Firm.
How Jackknife Truck Accidents Occur
Jackknife truck accidents happen when a vehicle has a trailer attached and the driver overcorrects when steering. Like a jackknife, which collapses into itself, a jackknife trucking accident occurs when the trailer of a vehicle pushes the vehicle so that it folds in on itself. The vehicle and trailer create a v-shape on the road after a jackknife accident. Frequently, jackknife crashes happen with an 18-wheeler because the cab of the truck and the bed of the truck can skid in different directions. Reasons why a driver may suddenly overcorrect when driving a trailered truck include:
- They were distracted and when their attention returns to the road, they overcorrect in steering;
- The driver was speeding;
- The road conditions are bad;
- The roads are windy and the driver is unused to handling a large vehicle around tight corners;
- The driver was not properly trained for how to drive the truck including steering and braking; and
- More.
Determining Liability and Compensation
The first step in any jackknife truck accident is to determine who is liable for the injuries. If the driver of the truck was speeding, distracted, or not keeping enough distance between themselves and other vehicles they need to be held responsible for the injuries they caused. It is also possible that the trucking company is liable or a defective part on the truck caused the crash, in which case the manufacturer needs to be held accountable. Evidence used to help prove liability includes police reports, crash scene photos, and witness statements.
Once the responsible party is determined, the next step is determining what the case is worth before filing a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. What a case is worth is built off of the following:
- Medical expenses;
- Future anticipated medical bills;
- Lost wages;
- Lost earning potential;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Property damage; and
- More.
Let the Matassini Law Firm Handle Your Jackknife Truck Accident Case
If you are healing from injuries that resulted from a jackknife truck accident on a Florida roadway, it is important you consider legal counsel for the personal injury claim. The insurance company for the driver and trucking company will do everything they can to deny liability so you need to have a strong advocate in your corner to fight for compensation. The Tampa jackknife truck accident attorneys at Matassini Law Firm have experience with complex trucking cases and high value personal injury claims. Call us at 813-217-5715 to schedule a free consultation.
