If you’re navigating the aftermath of a jackknife accident in Nashville, TN, having an experienced lawyer on your side can make all the difference. An attorney can offer comprehensive legal services. Our Nashville jackknife accident lawyers will assist in identifying the liable parties and holding them accountable for your injuries.
With our support, you won’t need to navigate complicated insurance claims or court procedures alone – allowing you to focus on what matters most: healing. If you need help after a truck accident in Nashville, Tennessee, don’t hesitate to contact Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers today at (615) 685-8546 to schedule a free consultation.
How Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Jackknife Accident in Nashville, TN
If you’ve been injured in a jackknife accident, it’s essential to have an experienced Nashville personal injury lawyer on your side. Our legal team is ready to provide all the support and representation required for a successful claim.
Here’s how we can help with your jackknife accident case:
- We’ll listen to your side of what happened and evaluate your case to determine if there are grounds for a legal claim.
- If we decide to move forward, we will investigate the accident. This includes looking at police reports, speaking with witnesses, and looking for video footage.
- We will accurately assess your damages to ensure you get what you need to focus on your recovery.
- We’ll negotiate with insurance companies to try to reach a settlement, avoiding litigation, which can be stressful and take a long time.
For help after a jackknife accident, contact Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with our Nashville personal injury attorneys.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in Nashville, Tennessee?
Truck accidents are a notable concern in Nashville and Tennessee as a whole, as reflected in recent statistics:
- In 2022, Tennessee reported an estimated 150 large truck crashes.
- These accidents resulted in 168 fatalities.
- In Davidson County, where Nashville is located, there were 11 fatal truck accidents recorded in 2023.
These figures highlight the serious nature of jackknife and other large truck accidents, emphasizing the need for continued focus on road safety and accident prevention measures.
What is a Jackknife Accident?
A jackknife accident occurs when the cab of a tractor-trailer skids and causes the trailer to push from behind until it spins around and folds into a V or L shape. Visually, you can think of this like a pocket knife closing, earning its name.
Drivers of smaller passenger vehicles often find themselves caught up in these alarming accidents, whether it’s from the truck directly colliding with their car or from a multi-vehicle collision caused by the truck.
How Does a Jackknife Accident Happen?
Jackknife accidents typically happen when the semi-truck’s trailer comes into an uncontrollable skid, causing it to lose traction with the road and swing independently from its attached cab. The driver loses control of steering, and once this occurs, correcting a jackknifing trailer is incredibly difficult.
Common Causes of Jackknife Accidents
Understanding the factors that cause or contribute to jackknife accidents is essential for staying safe on the roads that we all share with large trucks.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Improper braking
- Excessive speed
- Equipment failure (particularly where brakes or the trailer hitch are concerned)
- Sudden swerving movements by the truck driver due to road obstacles
- Slippery roads from ice or rain
- Fatigue
- Driving under the influence
Keep these factors in mind when driving on the highway with these large commercial vehicles. Always keep your distance and drive defensively to give yourself the best chance of avoiding an accident.
What Types of Injuries Occur From Jackknife Accidents?
Accidents involving large trucks can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities. The severity of your injury will correspond with the circumstances surrounding your accident – how fast you were going, how fast the truck was going, where the impact occurred, and other details.
Some common types of injuries from jackknife incidents include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Scars and disfigurement
- Scratches and bruises
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
If you’re facing injuries after this type of severe collision, you should always speak with a Nashville truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Who Could Be Liable For a Jackknife Accident in Nashville, Tennessee?
Understanding liability is critical when dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident. You must determine who was responsible for the crash so you can obtain the compensation you deserve. The following are some of the most common parties that could be liable:
Truck Driver
The truck driver could be held liable if their negligent actions directly resulted in the jackknifing incident.
Truck Company
The trucking company could be liable if it:
- Placed undue stress on the driver by violating federal trucking regulations
- Failed to conduct appropriate background checks
- Failed to properly maintain or inspect the truck
- Engaged in negligent hiring practices
- Played a role in the accident in some other way
The company could also be responsible for the actions of its employees (truck drivers) through vicarious liability.
Equipment Manufacturers
The manufacturers of the brakes, trailer hitch, or any other machinery on the truck can be held liable if it is found that defective equipment contributed to causing the accident.
Maintenance and Repair Providers
A company or individual responsible for maintaining and repairing the truck could be held liable if poor maintenance contributed to the jackknife accident.
Other parties could also be liable, depending on the circumstances. If you were in a jackknife accident and believe it wasn’t your fault, our Nashville truck accident attorneys can help you make this determination and seek compensation.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With Our Nashville Jackknife Accident Attorneys
A jackknife accident can be incredibly challenging and stressful to deal with. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate these complications alone. Having an experienced Nashville attorney on your side can make all the difference in ensuring that the at-fault parties are held accountable.
Contact Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers today at (615) 685-8546 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Nashville jackknife accident lawyer.
