A jackknife truck accident can leave you facing losses that stretch far beyond the initial crash. When a tractor-trailer folds and collides, the resulting injuries and property damage are often severe, and the compensation available under Missouri law is designed to account for that full scope of harm. Knowing how each type of damage is valued puts you in a stronger position to pursue a fair recovery — and to recognize when an insurer’s offer falls short of what your claim is actually worth. Here’s a closer look at the damages you may be entitled to after a jackknife truck accident in Missouri and how each is calculated.
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Jackknife Truck Accidents in Missouri
A jackknife truck accident happens when the cab and trailer of a semi-truck or 18-wheeler end up folding like a jackknife. Such an accident can only occur in a vehicle with two parts connected by a fifth wheel. That trailer may swing out across the roadway, crashing into vehicles in multiple lanes, causing extraordinary damage and havoc.
An experienced truck accident lawyer at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien protects your rights and negotiates with the defendants’ insurance company so that you can focus on recovery and rebuilding your life. Because we work on a contingency basis, you pay no fee unless you receive compensation. For over 40 years, our attorneys have helped injured Missourians and our track record in obtaining good settlements and verdicts for our clients is second to none.
What Causes Jackknife Truck Accidents?
To jackknife, the truck driver must lose control of steering. Sudden braking is a common cause of jackknifing, as the cab slows down faster than the trailer and then the trailer continues pushing forward.
Trucks require proper loading and securing of all freight. When the cargo is not secured correctly, sudden braking causes a weight shift throwing the truck off balance.
Many truck jackknife accident victims are never directly impacted by the truck itself. Instead, if improperly loaded or secured cargo causes the items to spill out onto the highway, drivers find themselves trying to dodge the debris while avoiding other motorists attempting the same thing.
Other jackknife truck accident causes are weather-related. For example:
- Trucks are more prone to jackknifing on wet, icy or snowy roads
- Vehicles with high sides, such as tractor trailers, are particularly vulnerable to strong winds
- Empty trailers or those not fully loaded are at greater risk of jackknifing in high winds
Confused about jackknife truck accidents in Missouri? We are here to answer your questions.
Jackknife Truck Accident Liability
A truck jackknife accident lawyer investigates your case thoroughly to identify all possible defendants, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, or other entities.
The truck driver may have caused or contributed to the accident due to:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigue
- Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Inexperience or lack of qualifications
- Failing to adjust to road conditions
The trucking company may have failed to maintain the vehicle or did not train their drivers properly. Truck drivers must adhere to strict federal and state regulations regarding hours of service, which are in place to ensure that truckers receive sufficient rest. Since time is money, some trucking companies encourage drivers to disregard hours of service rules, with potentially devastating results.
While the truck driver and the trucking company generally bear the brunt of liability, much depends on the unique circumstances of your case. The investigation may show that other parties were at least partly liable for the crash, such as:
- Manufacturers: A defect in the truck or its coupling could cause jackknifing. The manufacturer could prove liable.
- Repair facilities: If equipment failure causes jackknifing, repair or maintenance facilities may be held responsible.
- Freight companies: Failure to correctly load and secure cargo could put the freight company at fault.
- Government agencies: If poor road design, hazardous road conditions, malfunctioning traffic signals or other examples of government negligence played a role in the accident, the jurisdiction in charge of the road may be liable. Note that the statute of limitations for filing a Notice of Claim against a government agency is just six months from the accident date.
- Other drivers: The actions of another driver could necessitate sharp braking on the part of the truck driver, culminating in jackknifing.
Jackknife Truck Accident Damages
Damages, or compensation, in a Missouri jackknife truck accident may include:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Except in medical malpractice cases, Missouri does not put a cap on personal injury damages. The amount of damages in a jackknife truck accident case depends on various factors, but injury severity and long-term prognosis is paramount. An accident victim facing permanent disability, ongoing medical treatment, and loss of the ability to work should receive greater compensation than someone who will eventually fully recover from their injuries.
Under Missouri’s pure comparative negligence statute, you may still receive compensation even if you were partly at fault for the accident. Compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Unfortunately, many people lost their lives in jackknife truck accidents. Surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault parties.
Contact a Missouri Truck Accident Attorney
If you suffered serious injuries after a jackknife truck accident, the Missouri truck accident lawyers at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien can help. While Missouri’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is five years from the accident date, do not wait to contact a jackknife truck accident attorney. It is critical that your lawyer starts the investigation right away, before valuable evidence vanishes.
Our skilled lawyers for truck drivers represent truckers injured in accidents as well.
We know a fair settlement amount based on your injuries, prognosis, and losses, and fight so that you may receive the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
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