Were you injured in a jackknife accident in Glendale, Arizona? AJ Law, PLC can help when you call (602) 512-1280 . We offer a free consultation with a Glendale jackknife accident lawyer to discuss the crash and your legal options.
A jackknife accident happens when a tractor and its trailer fold toward each other instead of continuing in a straight line. Once the trailer swings across traffic, nearby motorists may have little room to avoid being struck or pushed into another vehicle.
Our Glendale truck accident attorneys can examine whether speed, braking, cargo, or the condition of the truck contributed to the crash. We work on contingency, meaning attorney fees are paid from a successful recovery rather than upfront.
How Can AJ Law, PLC Help After a Jackknife Accident in Glendale, Arizona?
Jackknife crashes in Glendale, AZ, can leave evidence in the truck, at the scene, and in the trucking company records. Tire marks, vehicle damage, and electronic data may help show what caused the driver to lose control. At AJ Law, PLC, we have more than 20 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $110 million for clients.
Our Glendale truck accident lawyers can use the evidence specific to your crash to investigate whether:
- The driver braked improperly or entered a curve too fast
- The truck had worn tires or defective brakes
- Cargo shifted and affected the trailer’s stability
- The driver exceeded applicable driving-hour limits
- Another vehicle forced the truck into an emergency maneuver
The investigation should explain why the tractor and trailer stopped moving together as intended. That finding can help identify whether responsibility rests with the driver, the trucking company, a maintenance provider, or another party.
To learn more and schedule a free consultation with a Glendale personal injury attorney, reach out today.
What Causes Most Jackknife Accidents?
Jackknifing usually begins when the tractor or trailer loses traction, and the driver can no longer keep both parts of the truck aligned. Sudden braking can contribute to that loss of control, particularly when road conditions or speed make it harder for the tires to maintain their grip.
Other causes can include:
- Taking a curve at an unsafe speed
- Braking too aggressively on a wet or slick roadway
- Driving with an improperly balanced or shifting load
- Mechanical problems that affect braking or steering
- Making an abrupt maneuver to avoid another vehicle
Federal safety guidance warns commercial drivers to adjust their speed for road, weather, visibility, and traffic conditions. Therefore, a truck could have been traveling too fast for conditions even if its speed was below the posted limit.
What Injuries Commonly Occur in Jackknife Accidents?
The swinging trailer can strike more than one vehicle or block several lanes at once. Occupants of smaller vehicles may experience a side impact, crushing force, or a secondary collision after the initial contact.
Jackknife crashes can cause:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Crush injuries
- Multiple fractures
- Internal organ injuries
- Severe neck or back injuries
Some injuries require surgery or extended rehabilitation, while others permanently affect your ability to work or live independently. The medical evidence should account for both current treatment and future care.
Who Could Be Liable for a Jackknife Accident?
The truck driver may be responsible if unsafe speed, improper braking, distraction, or another driving error caused the trailer to swing out of control. Responsibility can extend beyond the driver if the crash resulted from decisions made elsewhere in the trucking operation.
A trucking company may be liable for its own conduct involving driver training, supervision, or vehicle maintenance. A maintenance contractor could be responsible for faulty repair work. And a company that loaded the trailer may be implicated if an unstable load contributed to the jackknife.
A defective truck component can also be an issue. When a failed brake, tire, steering part, or other component played a role, the manufacturer or another business in the distribution chain may need to be investigated. Identifying the actual cause prevents the claim from being limited to the driver when other parties contributed to the collision.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit?
Negotiations with a trucking company or insurer do not extend Arizona’s deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, you have two years to bring the claim.
There can be exceptions, and claims involving a government entity can have additional requirements and much shorter notice periods. Evidence from a commercial truck can also disappear before the legal deadline.
Speak With a Jackknife Accident Lawyer in Glendale, Arizona
A jackknife crash in Glendale, AZ, can raise questions that are not answered by the police report alone. Understanding why the trailer swung out of position can determine which parties should be held responsible and what evidence is needed to support the claim.
AJ Law, PLC can investigate the truck, the driver, and the circumstances leading to the loss of control. Contact our firm for a free consultation with a Glendale jackknife accident attorney and learn what options may be available for pursuing compensation.
