Were You Hurt in a New York Jackknife Truck Accident? Let us Help!
While all motor vehicles on the road have the potential to be in an accident, there are a few specific types of collisions that are unique or more common to large trucks and trailers. Of these, a jackknife is among the most frightening and potentially disastrous. A jackknife truck accident occurs when the trailer does not properly follow the truck that it is attached to, often shifting to the side to end up in an L or V shape with the cab of the truck.
Like many other motor vehicle accidents, the driver of the truck is often the first person that others will try to blame after a jackknife accident. Mitigating circumstances, however, can prove that proper care was taken by a driver, yet an accident still occurred. If you or a loved one have been involved in a jackknife truck accident, let the experienced New York truck accident lawyers of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP help protect your rights and ensure those truly responsible are held liable. Call us today at (212) 986-7353 to discuss your case and determine how we can best help you.
How Does a Jackknife Truck Accident Happen?
There are a few common causes for a jackknife accident, and while the driver may be at fault in some instances, there are also situations in which other factors created the crash.
- Speeding and Sudden Braking. This is the most common cause in which the driver of the truck is most likely to be held liable for the accident. If the driver is going too fast and tries to stop suddenly, then the trailer might shift away from the cab.
- Slippery Roads. Loss of friction can create a situation in which the trailer of a truck shifts out from behind the cab and jackknifes. Although drivers should always be aware of road conditions, if the slipperiness could not be reasonably expected, then the truck driver might not be liable for a jackknife.
- Sudden Braking Due to Others. Even if a truck driver is going at a proper speed, if another driver or pedestrian causes him or her to suddenly hit the brakes, it can result in a jackknife. In this type of situation, the other person is likely liable for the crash, since the driver was operating the truck responsibly.
What Kinds of Injuries Can a Jackknife Truck Accident Cause?
Jackknife accidents tend to cause injuries much like other types of vehicle crashes, though they can be much more severe due to the nature of the large trucks involved.
- Neck and Back Injuries. Whiplash and similar injuries to the soft tissue of the neck, as well as spinal injuries, can occur when the out-of-control trailer hits other vehicles.
- Broken Bones. The sudden impact of a jackknifing trailer can cause broken or shattered bones.
- Cuts and Lacerations. This can range from minor cuts that only require disinfection, to major injuries and even amputation due to breaking glass or jagged metal.
- Head and Brain Injuries. In any type of accident, perhaps the most potentially severe injuries are those to the head. This can result in long-term brain damage, lingering pain, and even fatality.
Who is Liable for Damages from a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Liability after an accident, especially one involving a vehicle used for professional transportation, can be difficult to determine. The driver is often the first person looked at for liability, but he or she is not always to blame. It is very important for any driver of a large truck to always have plenty of rest, operate the vehicle at a safe speed, and never drive under the influence of a narcotic substance.
If a truck involved in a jackknife crash is owned by an operating company that employs the driver, then the company may be liable. If, for example, the company encouraged unsafe behavior from drivers, or knowingly loaded a trailer with cargo in excess of weight limits, then it could be held liable. Any claim against a company would need to prove that there was known negligence within the company, which can be difficult to do.
In some instances, the manufacturer of the truck or certain parts of it might be liable for a jackknife accident. These types of claims are usually the most difficult to prove, since negligence by the manufacturer that directly led to the crash needs to be proven. It may still be worthwhile to pursue such a claim, however, when such negligence is apparent.
Get in Touch with an Experienced NY Jackknife Truck Accident Attorney
Whether you are the driver of a truck that jackknifed or another motorist involved in the crash, it is vital that you contact a legal professional immediately to ensure your rights are protected and to help you with any claim you should make. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our NY jackknife accident attorneys have years of experience to put to work for you. Call our law firm today at (212) 986-7353 to talk about your case and get you the help you deserve.
Additional Information
Our Truck Accident Case Results
$6.5 Million - Man Hit by Truck in Queens
WRSMH attorneys Bryce Moses and Ashley Jacoby obtained a large verdict for a man who was struck by a truck in Queens.
Bryce Moses, Ashley Jacoby
$3.5 Million - Young Woman Run Over By Garbage Truck
Bryce Moses represented a young woman who was run over by a garbage truck in Brooklyn that shattered her ankle in three places.
Bryce Moses
$3.3 Million - NY Truck Accident Case
The plaintiff asserted that the injuries suffered in the collision with the truck will permanently prevent her from working.
Kenneth Halperin, Philip Russotti
$3 Million - New York Truck Accident
Cliff Shapiro and another WRSMH attorney were able to settle a truck accident case for the amount of $3,000,000 on behalf of a 45 year old delivery man from Queens.
Clifford Shapiro
$2.9 Million - Vehicle Hit by Truck
Victor Goldblum successfully represented a client who underwent three surgeries as the result of injuries sustained in a truck collision.
Victor Goldblum
$2 Million - Client Rear-ended by a Tractor Trailer While Stopped at a Traffic Light
Plaintiff sustained multiple injuries when he was rear-ended by a tractor trailer while he was stopped at a traffic light.
Ashley Jacoby
$2 Million - Rockland County Woman Rear-ended by a Semi-tractor Trailer
Luigi Izzo obtained $2 million for a client who was injured after being rear-ended by a semi-tractor trailer.
Luigi Izzo
$2 Million - Flatbed Tractor Trailer Backed Into Minibus
Cliff Shapiro obtained a recovery for a 32-year-old male who was in the course of his employment with Access-A-Ride when his vehicle was struck by a flatbed tractor trailer.
Clifford Shapiro
$1.8 Million - Two Clients Struck by Garbage Truck
WRSMH attorneys obtained a $1,800,000 settlement a year before trial for two plaintiffs who were injured after they were struck by a garbage truck.
Clifford Shapiro, Noah Katz
$1.5 Million - New York City Department of Sanitation Truck Accident
This motor vehicle accident involved a 43 year old woman who was rear-ended by a New York City Department of Sanitation truck.
Michael Fitzpatrick, Clifford Shapiro
$1.5 Million - Bronx Woman Injured in Truck Collision
WRSMH attorneys Clifford Shapiro, Robert Bellinson, and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a settlement in the amount of $1,500,000 on behalf of a fifty-one year old librarian from Bronx County.
Clifford Shapiro, Robert Bellinson
$1.5 Million - Back Seat Passenger Underwent Lumbar Fusion
The plaintiff, a 29 year old male, was injured when he was a back seat passenger of a car that was sideswiped by a commercial truck which caused the car to be pushed off of the road into a tree.
Michael Fitzpatrick
$1.5 Million - Rear-Ended by a Truck at Red Light
Our client, was stopped at red light when she was rear-ended by a truck. Victor Goldblum was able to obtain $1,500,000 for our client, who required surgery as a result of the crash.
Victor Goldblum
$1.41 Million - Queens Box Truck Rollover Leaves Occupant Injured
The plaintiff, an occupant of a truck, was injured in a single vehicle accident and required surgeries to the neck and back.
Ashley Jacoby
$1.35 Million - Rear-End Truck Accident Causing Injuries
Plaintiff sustained injuries to his knee and spine after his vehicle was rear-ended by a truck.
Ryan Lawlor
$1.3 Million - Parked Car Sideswiped by Commercial Truck
Our client in this case was a 37-year old man who was injured when his parked school bus was sideswiped by the defendants' commercial truck.
Kenneth Halperin,
$1.3 Million - Crash with Fire Department Truck
Philip Russotti and Brielle C. Goldfaden obtained a $1.3 million settlement after jury selection on a trial against the City of New York, the New York City Fire Department and an FDNY employee.
Philip Russotti, Brielle Goldfaden,William Hepner
$1.150 Million - Garbage Truck Accident Case
Bryce Moses and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a settlement in the amount of $1,150,000 on behalf of our client, a 35-year-old man from Kings County.
Bryce Moses,
$1.1 Million - Struck by Garbage Truck Which Attempted Right Turn from Left Lane
Kenneth J. Halperin obtained a $1,100,000 settlement for a man who was operating his livery cab when he was struck by a garbage truck that attempted to make a right turn from the left lane and broadsided his vehicle.
Kenneth Halperin
$950,000 - Man Rear-Ended by Tailgating Truck
Luigi Izzo successfully represented a client who suffered multiple injuries after being rear-ended by a truck that was tailgating.
Luigi Izzo