Have you been involved in a jackknife accident in San Diego, CA? These frightening accidents often leave victims with serious and life-changing injuries. You may be entitled to compensation to cover your bills and move forward with your life.
For decades, Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers has helped accident victims and their families hold negligent drivers responsible. Contact our law office today at (858) 551-2090 for a free consultation with a San Diego jackknife accident lawyer ready to discuss your case and help you explore your options.
How Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Jackknife Accident in San Diego
Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered more than $100 million for our clients. We have over 80 years of combined experience handling complex truck accident cases. Our attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers and America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Lawyers and have earned the prestigious AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
After a serious accident, our San Diego personal injury lawyers are committed to giving you the tireless representation you deserve.
Here is how we can help you after a jackknife accident in San Diego, California:
- Investigate your truck accident to determine causation and identify parties at fault
- Gather evidence to prove liability and your damages
- Work closely with experts to strengthen your case
- Handle communications and negotiate with the insurance companies
- Defend you from attempts to shift blame or undervalue your losses
- Represent you in court if the insurance company refuses to reach a fair settlement
Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.
What is a Jackknife Accident?
A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out from behind the cab, forming an angle that looks like a folding pocket knife. This typically happens when the truck skids, causing the trailer to push from behind.
These truck accidents differ from car accidents in many ways.
A semi-truck weighs 10,000 to 80,000 pounds. The average weight of a car is just 2,500 to 4,500 pounds. This means passenger vehicles absorb the substantial energy of the truck in a collision.
A jackknifing truck is also more likely to cause a multi-vehicle accident. As the trailer may swing across several traffic lanes, its movement is harder for other vehicles to predict, and multiple vehicles can be struck.
Both of these factors increase the risk of severe or fatal injuries in a jackknife accident.
What Causes Jackknife Accidents in San Diego, CA?
Jackknifing is usually caused by one or more of the following:
- Speeding: This reduces the truck driver’s ability to control the truck.
- Slick roads: A road slick with rain or oil reduces traction. This increases the risk of the truck skidding and jackknifing.
- Improper braking: Sudden or improper braking can cause the trailer’s brakes to lock up and continue moving longer than the cab.
- Driver inexperience or fatigue: A tired or inexperienced driver may be slower to react. They may overcorrect and turn too sharply or brake too hard and cause the truck to jackknife.
- Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo: When cargo is unsecured or not distributed properly, it may shift and destabilize the trailer. If the trailer is overloaded, the brakes may fail.
- Deadheading: This refers to driving with an empty trailer. Deadheading reduces traction and increases the risk of jackknifing.
These are only some of the ways jackknifing can occur. Make sure you consult with a jackknife accident lawyer if you’ve been injured in a crash.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Jackknife Truck Accident in San Diego?
In California, victims of jackknife truck accidents may recover compensatory damages from the at-fault parties. These damages are intended to make you as whole as possible after your accident. There are two types of compensatory damages you can recover.
Economic damages are your financial losses. These damages can be calculated with receipts, employment records, and bills. In some cases, medical and economic experts help to calculate future financial losses related to your accident.
Common economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost earnings
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages are your personal, subjective losses that have no financial value. You can recover compensation for physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
We’ll Fight for Maximum Compensation for All Your Jackknife Crash Injuries
Like other commercial truck accidents, jackknife accidents have the potential to cause serious and catastrophic injuries.
At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we will fight for the full compensation you deserve for the injuries you sustained, including:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Organ damage
- Facial injuries
- Back injuries, including herniated discs
- Soft tissue injuries
Our legal team will carefully assess your damages and gather the evidence needed to prove the severity and long-term impact of your injuries.
Can I Still Recover Damages if I’m Partially to Blame for a Truck Accident in California?
If your own actions contributed to the crash, you can still recover damages under California’s comparative negligence doctrine. In California, damages are awarded based on the share of fault assigned to each party.
You can recover compensation even if you are partially to blame for an accident, but your damages are reduced proportionally to your share of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault for speeding, you can still recover 80% of your damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our San Diego Jackknife Accident Lawyers
Have you been hurt in a jackknife truck accident in San Diego, CA? You may be entitled to compensation if someone else’s negligence caused your crash. At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we have more than 80 years of combined experience helping accident victims. We are here to help you, too.
Schedule a free case evaluation with a San Diego truck accident lawyer to discuss your case, explore your options, and get personalized legal advice.
