Truck Accidents

York, PA Jackknife Accident Lawyers

Accomplished representation for truck accident victims in Pennsylvania

Trucks regularly travel on U.S. Route 30, Interstate 83, and other York highways and roads. On all roads, tractor-trailers can skid, causing the truck to jackknife. Truck jackknifes are dangerous accidents that can severely injure or kill the truck driver and the occupants of any vehicles near the truck. The police may need hours to clear the truck from the road so traffic can resume. At KBG Injury Law, we hold everyone responsible for truck jackknife accidents accountable - truck drivers, trucking companies, and manufacturers. Our York jackknife accident lawyers demand compensation for all your financial damages (such as your medical bills and lost income) and your personal damages (such as your pain and suffering). Call us now to discuss your rights.

 

Pennsylvania Truck Accident Settlement

$1.625 Million

Settlement for a tractor trailer crash involving a trailer that was loaded improperly allowing load to shift.

[Settlements & Verdicts]

Practice Areas

Lancaster Truck Accidents

How can we help you today?

What is a jackknife accident?

The tractor and trailer of a tractor-trailer combination should both travel in unison. A jackknife accident happens when the individual units travel in different directions or at different speeds, usually causing the tractor to rotate around the trailer at a right or an acute angle. Any vehicles near the tractor-trailer can collide with the tractor-trailer or collide with other vehicles or obstacles as they try to avoid the tractor-trailer. Jackknifes normally occur when the tractor, trailer, or both skid.

In 2020, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), more than 4,800 truck jackknife accidents were fatal, and 107,000 jackknife accidents caused injuries. Technology that can help reduce the risk of a truck jackknife includes anti-lock brakes and electromagnetic brakes.

What causes a jackknife accident in York, PA?

Our York truck jackknife accident lawyers work with our own investigators, law enforcement, truck product safety experts, and other professionals – and through the formal question-and-answer process – to show how jackknife accidents happen.

Common causes of jackknife accidents in York include the following:

  • Speeding, which makes it difficult for a truck to have enough time and distance to stop properly.
  • Improper braking, especially on wet roads, can cause a jackknife accident in York.
  • Improperly loading a tractor-trailer truck. Generally, trucks that are partially full or do not have any cargo are more likely to jackknife than trucks with full loads.
  • Driving in a curve can easily cause the tractor/cab and trailer to move in different directions.
  • Tired drivers are more likely to slam on the brakes than attentive drivers.
  • Drivers who don’t understand how to avoid jackknife accidents or how to respond if a truck shows signs of jackknifing.
  • Defective truck parts, including defective coupling devices and brakes.
  • Failure of the driver or the owner of the truck to regularly inspect the truck’s tires, brakes, hitches, and suspensions.
  • Driver distractions, which include texting, using a mobile phone, looking at a GPS, eating, or drinking.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Other causes.

Who do you hold liable for a jackknife accident in York, PA?

At KBG Injury Law, we file personal injury and wrongful death claims against every responsible person or business. Some of the defendants in your York truck jackknife accident case may include the following:

  • The driver of the truck.
  • The employer of the truck driver. Normally, employers are vicariously (directly) liable for the negligence of their employees. Employers may also be liable if they fail to vet or train their drivers or if they push their drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules.
  • The owner of the truck, if the owner is not the same as the driver. Owners may be liable if they fail to ensure the drivers who use their trucks take proper precautions.
  • Other companies, including the broker who arranges the shipment, the parties to the shipment, and the companies that load the truck.
  • Maintenance and repair companies who fail to ensure that their trucks are safe.
  • Manufacturers of defective truck parts such as coupling devices and brakes.

In many truck jackknife accident cases, we file claims against multiple defendants.

What types of injuries do truck jackknife accidents cause in York, PA?

Our York truck accident lawyers work with your physicians to verify your injuries, understand what medical care you’ve already had and what medical care you will need in the future, and document every way that your injuries are affecting your ability to work, function, and enjoy your life.

We handle catastrophic, permanent, chronic, and serious injuries, including the following:

  • Traumatic brain injuries and other types of head trauma
  • Paralysis, herniated disks, and other types of spinal cord injuries
  • Loss of limb/traumatic amputation
  • Fractures/broken bones
  • Damage to your kidneys, lungs, spleen, or other organs
  • Crush injuries
  • Back, neck, and shoulder pain
  • Soft tissue injuries and nerve damage
  • Vision and hearing loss
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Emotional trauma
  • Death

How much is my truck jackknife accident case worth?

At KBG Injury Law, we demand compensation for all your current and future damages, including:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost income and benefits
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of life’s pleasures, bodily function, and/or
  • Loss of consortium (enjoyment of marital relations)

We seek punitive damages when a defendant’s conduct is malicious, such as deliberately failing to fix a known problem.

Our York truck jackknife lawyers file wrongful death actions when a close family member dies due to the negligence of others. Wrongful death damages include the costs for the funeral and burial, the loss of income the decedent would have provided, and the loss of personal support (love, comfort, and guidance) your loved one would have provided the members of your family.

What safety precautions should drivers take to prevent truck jackknife accidents?

There are many steps that trucking companies and truck drivers should take to prevent a jackknife accident from happening. These safety measures include:

  • Examining if the driver and trucking companies are in compliance with federal and state truck safety laws and traffic laws
  • Conducting regular inspections and maintenance of the truck parts that often cause a truck jackknife
  • Ensuring the driver has enough rest
  • Avoiding alcohol or drugs
  • Staying a safe distance from other vehicles
  • Driving at or below the speed limit and according to weather and traffic conditions
  • Braking properly
  • Slowing down before entering a curve
  • Passing only when necessary
  • Not driving with distractions

Do you have a York, PA, jackknife truck accident lawyer near me?

Yes. KBG Injury Law meets clients at 110 N. George St., 3rd Floor, York, PA. Our truck accident attorneys also consult with clients by phone and through online video forums such as Zoom and Facetime. Our lawyers frequently make alternate arrangements if your injuries prevent you from coming to our office.

We’re here to prepare you for each step of the claims process.

Talk with KBG Injury Law today

For nearly 40 years, our York truck jackknife lawyers helped many truck accident victims and families obtain strong verdicts and settlements. We understand the unique challenges in truck accidents, including showing who is responsible and why they are responsible. Call us or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. KBG Injury Law also maintains offices in Lancaster, Harrisburg, Hanover, and Gettysburg.