Jackknife Truck Accidents in Columbia
Jackknife truck accidents in Columbia have the potential to cause widespread destruction across multiple lanes of traffic. These collisions can involve countless other vehicles, and the resulting injuries are often catastrophic.
You could be entitled to monetary compensation when you sustain an injury due to a jackknifing truck. Securing the damages you deserve can be difficult without help, but a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer could advise you on how to proceed with your claim.
What is a Jackknife Crash?
A jackknife accident is a dangerous situation that can occur when the brakes of a tractor-trailer lock or when it slides, causing the entire vehicle to skid. Some truck drivers may be able to regain control and prevent further skidding, but in many cases, the trailer and cab skids independently at a 90-degree angle. This uncontrolled skidding of the trailer poses a severe risk, as it can collide with vehicles, pedestrians, or property in its path, and the impact of such collisions often leads to substantial damage and injuries.
How These Accidents Happen
It is essential to consider all possible factors when determining liability for a jackknife truck accident in Columbia. Often, these accidents can be attributed to operator error. An attorney could investigate the circumstances surrounding an incident and work to identify each of the factors that led to the crash.
In some cases, a truck jackknifing may not solely be attributed to the truck driver’s actions. While many jackknife accidents are caused by driver error, other circumstances can contribute to these incidents. For instance, if a truck is overloaded and ends up jackknifing, both the truck driver and the company responsible for allowing the overload could be liable for any resulting accidents.
Adverse weather conditions often play a role in causing truck accidents. Truck drivers are expected to account for hazardous weather and adjust their driving accordingly, but it is not their responsibility to ensure public roads are properly maintained. In these cases, the government entity responsible for the roadway might face liability after a crash.
What Damages Are Available?
The consequences of these accidents can be significant for everyone involved, with serious physical injuries and all the costs that come with them. For people in Columbia who are injured in a jackknife truck accident, a civil lawsuit could offer a path to financial compensation.
Two types of damages could be available in these cases: economic and non-economic. Economic compensation makes it possible for the injured person to return to the same financial position they were in before the accident. These damages include financial losses like medical costs or vehicle repairs.
Non-economic damages are not related to an injured party’s out-of-pocket costs. This type of monetary award compensates a person for their physical and emotional hardships resulting from the truck crash. The most common examples include pain and suffering or emotional distress.
Talk to an Attorney in Columbia About Jackknife Truck Accidents
Recovering from an accident-related injury is never easy. When these injuries occur as the result of negligence, a civil lawsuit could provide the financial means for you to manage your recovery while compensating you for your suffering.
You have the right to hire legal counsel to represent you when you are injured in a jackknife truck accident in Columbia. Call today for a private consultation.