To maximize turning radius, the cabs and trailers of modern semi-trucks are connected by a rotating hinge that allows each truck segment to move separately from the other. Unfortunately, this means that if a truck loses traction with the road surface, the trailer could skid in a different direction from the cab, resulting in the truck “jackknifing” across multiple lanes of traffic.

Jackknife truck accidents in Midland tend to be catastrophic, often resulting in severe injuries to multiple people. If you recently experienced this type of wreck, you may be dealing with various losses. Talk to a dedicated lawyer at Chad Jones Law about your options for holding the trucker accountable and recovering the compensation you need.

How Negligence Can Cause a Truck to Fold

Reckless or careless behavior by a truck driver can increase the chances of a jackknife truck accident in Midland. The most common cause of these crashes is improper braking. Truckers must use their specially designed “air brakes” to slow down in a controlled way, especially when traveling on a downward slope.

Slamming on the brakes too hard or experiencing an unexpected brake malfunction can lead to a dangerous loss of control. Jackknife wrecks can also happen due to a truck driver taking a turn too quickly, not adjusting their speed for road or weather conditions, following too closely behind other vehicles, or driving while distracted or impaired.

Regardless of how a jackknife crash occurs, our Midland attorneys could investigate the wreck for evidence of another person’s negligence. A seasoned local attorney could help pursue compensation from the individual truck driver and potentially their employer or another affiliated third party, such as suppliers or component manufacturers.

Damages for a Jackknife Crash in Midland

Since tractor-trailer crashes tend to occur at highway speeds, they often cause catastrophic injuries. When filing suit for a jackknife truck wreck, our Midland attorneys could help pursue compensation for the injured person’s past and future losses, including:

Short-term and long-term medical expenses
Short-term and long-term income loss, including lost future earning capacity
Personal property damage, including car repair or replacement costs and related expenses like rental car fees
Physical pain and discomfort from injuries
Psychological trauma and emotional anguish from the incident as a whole
Lost overall quality of life, including lost consortium

Guidance from the experienced legal team at our firm can be crucial to accurately assess the impact of a wreck in the years to come. A comprehensive claim should pursue compensation to cover these damages as well as the losses the injured person has already experienced.

Contact a Midland Attorney After a Jackknife Truck Accident

Jackknifing trucks can cause severe harm to anyone in the vicinity. When negligence by a truck driver, trucking company, or other party leads to this kind of wreck, they should be held financially accountable for the consequences of their actions.

Filing suit over jackknife truck accidents in Midland can be difficult, especially while recovering from severe injuries. Let the local attorneys at Chad Jones Law handle your claim while you focus on healing. Call us today to learn how we can assist you.