Victims of jackknife accidents may be able to recover financial compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Working with truck accident attorneys who have the expertise to handle all the details of such a case might allow you to concentrate on getting well.
In the meantime, if you’re thinking about submitting a claim after a jackknife accident in Texas, you may want to educate yourself on a few state rules and guidelines in the Texas civil court system and get in touch with a qualified attorney.
During the last few decades, our truck accident lawyers in Dallas at the Rasansky | McKenzie Law have built a phenomenal track record and pride ourselves on defending the legal rights of victims left with long-term injuries, financial hardships, and more after a crash. In other words, you owe us nothing until we win your case and you get compensation.
Don’t hesitate to contact our team if you have questions or concerns regarding your Dallas truck accident claim.
Common Causes Behind Jackknife Accidents
There are several potential contributors to jackknife incidents, including but not limited to the following:
- Sharp turns and swerving
- Problems with cargo loading or unsecured freight
- Locked or frozen brakes
- Inadequate braking or a failure to brake on the part of the truck driver
- Inclement weather
- Large trucks hitting debris from a prior crash
- Speeding
Unfortunately, regardless of the cause, the resulting injuries and property loss after a jackknife accident are almost always devastating.
Reporting a Jackknife Accident in Texas
First and foremost, all drivers must notify authorities immediately if any type of collision occurs within a Texas municipality. In addition, it is standard practice for trucking companies and conglomerates to require drivers to report incidents to their contracting businesses.
What’s more, in the event that an accident occurs outside of city limits in Texas, drivers are obligated by law to notify the local sheriff’s department. In the case of a serious truck collision, it is imperative to notify the authorities if anyone is hurt or if any vehicles are damaged beyond the point where they could be driven away safely.
No regulation in Texas mandates that policyholders notify their auto insurance company after being involved in a truck collision. However, every auto insurance policy still requires that an accident be reported as soon as possible. Insurance companies are better able to investigate and defend claims if they are notified immediately following an incident. Additionally, keep in mind that commercial truck drivers are generally required to carry their own insurance, which is also part of the company’s policy. Truckers are mandated to have their own liability insurance in Texas if they are considered independent contractors.
Determining Liability in a Jackknife Accident
In most cases, the party that suffers damages in a jackknife collision will have to prove that the other party was at fault.
Approximately a dozen states follow a no-fault rule, meaning that drivers can claim compensation from their insurance company without regard to fault after a collision.
By contrast, Texas observes modified comparative fault. In essence, if you are hurt in a truck accident in Texas, you have a number of options. You could file a claim with the truck driver’s insurance company or the insurance provider that represents their contractor if they were at fault for the accident. You can also file a lawsuit against the other driver.
Companies that employ truck drivers are legally required to provide enough training, but accidents may still occur if a driver is put on the road without first acquiring the necessary skills and experience. That said, jackknife accidents can also be caused by faulty vehicle components. An exploding tire, for instance, might cause a truck to veer suddenly and jackknife.
Moreover, another driver could cause a jackknife collision, meaning that the driver of the truck isn’t always at fault. In other words, no matter the suspected cause of your crash, it’s important to consult an attorney to organize the facts of your case and determine the party or parties ultimately liable for your accident.
How to Prevent Jackknife Accidents in Texas
Even though these incidents aren’t always preventable, understanding the warning signs of a jackknife might help you avoid a collision:
- Keep your distance from large trucks: Maintaining a proper following distance is crucial to driving safely. If you’re following a vehicle too closely, you may find it difficult to avoid being hit if the truck begins to exhibit jackknifing warning signals.
- Take extra safety precautions during inclement weather: Drive with extreme caution in bad weather. When driving in adverse conditions, such as snow or heavy rain, drivers need to take it slow and steady to avoid hydroplaning or skidding. Conditions may rapidly deteriorate in bad weather, increasing the likelihood of jackknifing for a commercial truck.
- Avoid speeding: Don’t go above the speed limit or break any rules of the road in general. In a jackknife collision involving a truck, driving faster than the authorized speed limit or violating other traffic regulations might increase the risk to you and other motorists.
- Never brake suddenly: It is extremely dangerous to brake suddenly when driving near heavy, sizable commercial vehicles. Also, it’s difficult to prevent a truck collision if you have to slam on your brakes because you are driving too closely to the truck.
Call a Truck Accident Lawyer at Rasansky | McKenzie Law
Truck accidents have a negative impact on the lives of tens of thousands of families in our state, particularly those caused by jackknifing. Despite the fact that some of these incidents only result in minor injuries, others of the victims are left permanently disabled and in great pain.
If you’ve been involved in a serious collision involving a commercial truck and are interested in pursuing compensation, contact a Dallas truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Here at the Rasansky | McKenzie Law, our seasoned team has several decades of experience, meaning that our clientele receives trustworthy legal counsel from a group of well-versed and well-regarded attorneys.
Contact our attorneys at the Rasansky | McKenzie Law by calling (214) 651-6100 for a free case evaluation at any time if you were injured in a truck accident in Texas. We are available to take your call around the clock and are ready to safeguard your legal rights today.