Countless semi trucks travel through Oklahoma City, OK, each day. Most truck drivers are careful and highly trained, but occasionally, a truck may jackknife on the road. These accidents can have devastating consequences.
If you have been hurt in one of these accidents, you should consult an experienced Oklahoma City jackknife truck accident lawyer as soon as you can.
When choosing an attorney, you need a firm with experience helping injured people stand up to trucking companies. The Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers team is here to help, with 95 years of combined experience and over $100 million recovered for our clients. Contact us today at (405) 703-45670 to set up a free consultation.
How Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Jackknife Truck Accident in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has no shortage of attorneys to choose from. However, when you’re selecting someone to represent you in a jackknife truck accident case, an experienced attorney who knows how these cases work can make all the difference. Look no further than Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers. Our award-winning Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers can help by:
- Internally investigating your accident
- Determining your legal options
- Calculating your damages
- Hiring top-rated experts
- Protecting you from blame
- Negotiating on your behalf
- Filing a lawsuit if necessary
If you’re looking for a jackknife truck accident attorney in Oklahoma City who will fiercely advocate for you throughout your case, call us today for a free consultation.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
When a cargo truck is towing a trailer, there’s a possibility that the trailer may swing forward. This creates a narrow angle between the truck and the trailer. If that angle is narrow enough, the truck can become destabilized — and it could even tip over. If the truck falls on top of or in front of other vehicles, it can cause a serious accident.
Jackknife accidents are relatively rare, but they have several potential causes.
Sudden Braking
If a driver slams on the brakes, it might cause the trailer to swing toward the front of the truck.
Wet or Icy Roads
If road conditions reduce traction, it may increase a truck driver’s risk of jackknifing the vehicle.
Fatigue
Truck drivers spend many hours behind the wheel each day, so they’re more prone to severe fatigue than the average driver. If a truck driver is extremely fatigued, slower reaction times may make jackknife accidents more likely.
Improper Cargo Loads
Generally, loading companies are responsible for making sure all cargo is properly secured. If a load moves within a trailer, it may cause the trailer to suddenly swing forward.
Speeding Around Curves
Any driver can lose control if they drive too quickly around curves. Curves are especially dangerous for truck drivers — taking them too quickly may cause the trailer to swing and the truck to jackknife.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Jackknife Truck Accident in OKC?
If you choose to file a lawsuit against the truck driver who caused the accident, your lawyer will need to prove that the truck driver’s negligence caused your injuries. If the trucking company settles or your case must be decided in court, you might be able to recover compensation for the several types of economic and non-economic damages.
Medical Bills
Even after a relatively minor car accident, medical bills can be exorbitant. If you have suffered serious injuries after a jackknife accident, you already know that medical costs after a truck accident can seem insurmountable. If the truck driver was found liable for your accident, you may be reimbursed for any money you spent on medical care.
If you have an injury that will require ongoing care, you also might be able to receive compensation for estimated future medical costs.
Lost Income
If you’re healing from a major injury, you will likely be unable to work for months — and sometimes even longer. If you win your case, you might be compensated for lost wages.
Some injuries are so serious that they permanently damage your earning capacity. If this is the case, your lawyer might be able to recover compensation for future lost earnings as well.
Pain And Suffering
“Pain and suffering” is one type of non-economic damages, or compensation for emotional distress, physical pain, and other losses you can’t easily quantify. There is no set formula for calculating pain and suffering damages, but your lawyer will be able to review your case and give you an idea of the kind of compensation you might be able to recover.
Contact Our Oklahoma City Jackknife Truck Accident Attorneys Free Consultation
Don’t go up against trucking companies and their insurers alone. When you work with Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers, you gain a dedicated legal advocate who will do whatever they can to seek justice for you. Call us or get in touch online to book your free consultation with a trusted Oklahoma City jackknife truck accident attorney.
