Dallas Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a jackknife truck accident in Dallas, Texas? These crashes often span multiple lanes of traffic, putting everyone nearby at serious risk.

A Dallas jackknife truck accident lawyer at Trujillo Gonzalez, P.C. can help you determine what caused the crash and who should be held accountable. Call (972) 550-6818 for a free consultation.

Why Hire Trujillo Gonzalez, P.C. After a Jackknife Truck Accident in Dallas, TX?

Jackknife crashes are a complex subset of truck accident claims that require you to pinpoint why the truck’s trailer folded and caused a collision. But you don’t have to do it alone. An experienced Dallas truck accident attorney can help you hold the driver and trucking company accountable for their negligence.

Trujillo Gonzalez, P.C. has become a leading truck accident firm in Dallas, TX, because:

• With more than 300 trials and arbitrations taken to verdict, our attorneys have the trial experience you want when going up against trucking companies
• Our litigation history includes $275 million recovered
• Peer recognition from Texas Lawyer Magazine and the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum reflects the caliber of our work
• Seven decades of combined experience handling commercial trucking litigation
• A contingency fee model, so pursuing your claim costs you nothing upfront.

Call today to schedule a free consultation with a Dallas jackknife truck accident attorney who understands how these crashes actually happen.

What Is a Jackknife Accident?

A jackknife accident occurs when a tractor-trailer’s trailer swings out to the side of the cab, forming a V-shape similar to a folding pocketknife. This typically happens when the trailer’s wheels lose traction and skid faster than the cab, often during hard or sudden braking. Once a trailer begins to swing, the driver has little ability to regain control, and the trailer can sweep across multiple lanes of traffic before it stops.

Jackknife accidents are especially dangerous for nearby vehicles. A trailer swinging into an adjacent lane can strike numerous vehicles, and pileups are common when a jackknifing truck blocks several lanes on a highway.

What Causes Jackknife Truck Accidents?

Jackknife accidents are usually preventable and can be traced back to an error on the part of the driver or the trucking company. Identifying the cause is central to determining who bears responsibility.

Common causes include:

• Excessive speed for road or traffic conditions, which increases stopping distance and the risk of a skid
• Hard or improper braking, often when a trailer is empty or lightly loaded, since less weight means less traction
• Wet, icy, or slick road surfaces that reduce a trailer’s grip during braking
• Worn or improperly maintained brakes, including mismatched braking between the tractor and trailer
• Tire failure or excessive tire wear that reduces traction
• Driver inexperience or inadequate training in how to brake safely with a loaded or unloaded trailer
• Mechanical defects in the trailer’s braking or coupling systems

In many cases, more than one factor contributes to such a crash. A thorough investigation into all of these factors is often necessary to build a complete picture of what happened.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dallas Jackknife Accident?

Depending on what caused the crash, liability may extend to multiple parties and unlock multiple sources of compensation for your injuries.

• The truck driver can be held liable for direct negligence, such as excessive speed or improper braking technique.
• The trucking company can be held vicariously liable for a driver’s negligence
• A maintenance provider may be liable if poorly maintained brakes or tires contributed to the crash.
• A parts manufacturer may share liability if a defective component contributed to the trailer losing control.

Commercial trucking is governed by federal safety regulations through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. A driver or trucking company’s violation of those regulations, such as operating with known brake defects, can serve as strong evidence of negligence in your case.

What Compensation Is Available After a Dallas Jackknife Accident?

Given the size and unpredictable motion of a jackknifing trailer, injuries in these crashes are often severe. Victims frequently suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, crush injuries, severe burns, broken bones, internal organ damage, and, in the most tragic cases, wrongful death.

Fortunately, Texas law allows injured victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages for their losses through a truck accident claim. These claims provide victims an opportunity to recover:

• Medical treatment
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members (when applicable)

An experienced attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to — and demand all you’re owed from the trucking company or insurer.

How Long Do I Have to File a Jackknife Accident Lawsuit in Texas?

Texas law has strict deadlines for truck accident claims. You usually only have two years from the date of the crash to initiate legal action. If you miss this deadline, you may forfeit your right to seek compensation through the courts.

You should speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to ensure you comply with the time limits and preserve all evidence necessary to prove your claim.

Contact a Dallas Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

A jackknife accident can leave you facing catastrophic injuries through no fault of your own. Trujillo Gonzalez, P.C. is ready to investigate what caused your crash and seek full compensation for the injuries you’ve experienced. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Dallas jackknife truck accident attorney.