Rialto Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer

Rialto, CA Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer

Because of the way tractor-trailer cabs and trailers are linked together, the two parts of these massive machines may move in different and unpredictable directions during an accident. If the trailer of a commercial truck ends up ahead of its cab, it may lead to what is known as a jackknife accident, which takes its name from how the shape of the skidding truck resembles a folding knife.

Unfortunately, jackknife truck accidents in Rialto are especially dangerous even compared to other types of truck crashes, as they often cover huge swathes of the road surface and collect multiple other vehicles as a result. If you suffered an injury in this kind of incident, working with a skilled accident attorney may be crucial to ensuring your case for civil compensation is as strong and comprehensive as possible.

How Negligence Could Cause a Truck to Jackknife

It is no secret that large commercial trucks require a great deal of specialized training and expertise to operate safely, especially when they are fully loaded with as much as 80,000 pounds of cargo. Once someone proves they are qualified to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and operate one of these machines, they take on a responsibility every time they get out on the road to always follow traffic regulations and pay close attention to their surroundings.

If a truck driver fails to live up to this obligation by disobeying traffic laws, driving while intoxicated, or allowing themselves to be distracted by anything other than the road conditions around them, their action—or inaction, as the case may be—may be considered a form of legal negligence if it directly leads to a jackknife truck crash in Rialto. Alternatively, a trucking company may bear vicarious liability for the negligence of their employee in certain situations or direct liability for forcing their employee to drive while fatigued or violate federal trucking regulations in some other way.

In rare circumstances, a third party may be to blame for a jackknifing incident—for instance, another driver may have recklessly cut off a truck driver and forced them into an uncontrolled slide, or a manufacturer may have supplied defective brakes that led to a loss of control. Identifying exactly what caused this type of accident is often critical to effective recovery, and it is one of many things seasoned legal counsel could assist with.

Seeking Restitution for All Available Damages

Since most commercial trucks are owned by large trucking companies rather than by individual truckers, civil recovery following jackknife truck accidents in Rialto typically requires negotiating with insurance providers rather than directly with a negligent trucker or their employer. However, these insurance companies have plenty of experience defending their policyholders from liability for serious accidents, and they will almost always try to pressure crash victims into accepting a lowball settlement that does not even come close to covering all their recoverable damages.

A comprehensive settlement demand or lawsuit should seek restitution not only for short-term losses like medical bills and car repairs but also for long-term loss of earning capacity and enjoyment of life. A qualified truck wreck lawyer could go into detail during a private consultation about what damages may be recoverable in a particular case, as well as what the most effective way to go about pursuing compensation would be.

Learn More About Jackknife Truck Accident Cases from a Rialto Attorney

A jackknifing truck has the potential to cause catastrophic harm to multiple other drivers at once, leading to injuries that sometimes have lifelong effects. If you experienced any kind of harm as a result of this type of wreck, the next steps you take in pursuit of civil recovery could have an immense impact on your future prospects.

A truck accident lawyer experienced with handling jackknife truck accidents in Rialto could be your strongest and most crucial ally in your fight for fair financial compensation. Call today to learn more.