No products in the cart.
Houston Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer
In commercial trucking, jackknife accidents are among the most hazardous incidents on our roads. If you or a loved one is involved in such a truck accident in Houston, consulting a Houston Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer can be crucial. These accidents happen when a truck towing a trailer experiences a loss of control, causing the trailer to swing out and form a sharp angle with the truck, resembling a folding pocketknife.
Our Houston truck accident attorneys at Baumgartner Law Firm have won numerous multi-million-dollar cases when a big rig jackknifed and caused a serious accident. Since 1985, we have helped truck accident victims get full compensation and are UNDEFEATED in truck accident cases.
Call Us Now for a FREE CONSULTATION!
PERSONAL INJURY
What is Jackknifing?
Jackknifing occurs when the trailer travels at a different speed and direction from the truck. It can occur due to sudden stopping, improper lane changes, inadequate load securement, and other factors. When a trailer moves, the crash scenario begins.
- Once the Jackknife Starts, It Turns Deadly: When the truck jackknifes, it may lead to a multiple-vehicle collision because cars behind the truck cannot stop and quickly get blocked by the considerable tractor-trailer. Sometimes, the force of the accident causes the truck to tip or roll onto its side. In almost every case, a jackknife of a big rig involves driver error or negligence.
- Speed Difference: Jackknife accidents happen when the speed difference between the tractor and the trailer. Usually, this is in a braking application, and often, when traffic ahead slows down or stops, the driver has not allowed a safe distance between the traffic ahead. A crash can also occur with a steering application that slows down the cab but not the trailer. Once a sufficient angle is created, it can quickly reach the point of no return. At that point, it does not matter what the truck driver does; he is along for the ride.
- Road Conditions: The condition of the roads can be a factor in a tractor-trailer jackknife accident mainly because anything that can lead to a disparity in speed between the truck and trailer can start a serious jackknife crash. Rain or slick highways and braking differences between the big rig and trailer.
- Our Houston Jackknife Accident Lawyer Has Won Many Truck Jackknife Cases: Greg Baumgartner and the Baumgartner Law Firm have won numerous jackknife truck accident cases and recovered millions for our clients in those cases. We have been undefeated in all trucking accident cases for over three decades. Put our experience to work on your case! Commercial trucks are common in the Houston area. We need large semi-trucks to deliver goods across the country. Unfortunately, sharing the road with 18-wheelers can be dangerous for other vehicles. When fully loaded, big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making the vehicles difficult to control during an accident.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, about every two minutes, a person is injured in a vehicle accident. About every two and a half hours, a person is killed on our roadways. Many of these accidents involved large commercial trucks that jackknifed.
Causes of Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents are often the result of several contributing factors, each playing a pivotal role in the unfolding of these dangerous situations. Key causes include:
- Sudden Braking -Abrupt stops can force the trailer to swing out if the truck’s momentum continues forward.
- Poor Road Conditions– Slippery or uneven surfaces can compromise a truck’s stability and traction.
- Improper Loading– Incorrectly balanced or secured cargo can shift, leading to loss of control.
- Driver Error– Inexperience, fatigue, and not adjusting to road conditions can lead to critical mistakes.
Need an Attorney for Your Personal Injury?
Common Big Rig Accident Injuries
The impact of a jackknife accident extends far beyond immediate physical damage. Victims may face:
- Severe Injuries– The most common injuries in truck accidents include neck injuries and back injuries, such as whiplash, brain injury, broken bones, crush injuries, spinal cord injury, internal organ damage, wrongful death, and more.
- Fatal Injuries– Because of the weight of a tractor-trailer, many jackknife truck accidents are fatal.
- Economic Losses– Medical bills, loss of income, and rehabilitation costs can financially burden victims and their families.
- Psychological Effects– The trauma of being involved in such an accident can lead to PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Required Preventative Measures
Preventing jackknife accidents is crucial for ensuring the safety of all road users. Effective measures include:
- Regular Maintenance– Ensuring that all components of the truck are in optimal condition can prevent mechanical failures.
- Proper Loading Techniques– Cargo loaders must adhere to guidelines for cargo loading and securing to maintain balance and stability.
- Advanced Training– Equipping drivers with the skills to navigate adverse conditions and emergency situations can reduce the likelihood of accidents.
- Use of Technology– Implementing stability control systems and anti-lock braking systems in trucks can significantly mitigate risks.
Our truck accident lawyers have represented families of loved ones killed in jackknife accidents, individuals severely injured, and about everything in between. Our truck accident experience in collecting multi-million-dollar 18-wheeler accident settlements is exceptional. If you can find a better attorney for your case- hire them!
Recent Examples of 18-Wheeler Jackknife Case Wins by Our Houston Jackknife Accident Lawyer
- Multi-million-dollar settlement– Baumgartner Law Firm represented an injured truck driver who lost control in a jackknife and crossed the roadway, killing two innocent people. Our truck accident attorneys got more money for the truck driver who caused the crash than the other “truck accident lawyers” got for their wrongful death cases.
- Multi-million-dollar results– Baumgartner Law Firm won a huge wrongful death lawsuit for the family of a victim who was killed when the truck jackknifed across the roadway.
See some of our exceptional trucking accident recent results.
Who May Be Liable for a Jackknife Truck Crash?
- The Driver Most jackknife accidents that our Houston jackknife accident lawyers have handled involve driver errors. While some of the crashes we have litigated involved very experienced truck drivers, others involved new and inexperienced drivers.
- Motor Carrier or Trucking Company Trucking companies must train their drivers and follow the trucking regulations designed to protect the public. Jackknife accidents are preventable, and a driver’s prudence should prevent the jackknife collision.
- We will Investigate the Company and the Truck Driver One of the first steps in investigating a big rig crash in which the tractor-trailer was jackknifed is to obtain the driver’s qualification file and examine the training given to the driver. Early investigation of a truck crash is vital.
For a FREE Consultation Contact Us Today
"*" indicates required fields
Related Links
Our Experienced Houston Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help!
For a Free Consultation with a Preeminent Rated Injury Lawyer
Legal Services
Baumgartner Law Firm
Call an Experienced Jackknife Accident Lawyer In Houston for Help
Contact the Houston car crash law firm for help with a personal injury claim.
OR
Fill out an online consultation request for a FREE consultation.
Other Practice Areas Our Truck Accident Attorneys Handle
At Baumgartner Law Firm, our personal injury attorney in Houston, TX, helps clients throughout Texas maximize their damages to get the full and fair compensation they deserve. We have recovered millions of dollars and represented thousands of accident victims and families in wrongful death claims
Since 1985, our firm has limited the practice to serious injury cases and produced exceptional results in the following areas:
Our founder attorney at Baumgartner Law Firm has over 38 years of experience in truck accident litigation and has been peer-reviewed as preeminent for decades.
About Our Law Firm in Houston
Houston personal injury lawyer Greg Baumgartner heads the Baumgartner Law Firm.
Our firm was established in 1985 and has helped thousands of injury victims get maximum compensation for their cases. If you have been injured in an accident in Houston, TX, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. (281) 587-1111.
Since 1985, Baumgartner Law Firm has limited our law practice to serious personal injury cases. Our legal team has won maximum compensation for thousands of accident victims and recovered millions of dollars for real people like you.
Helping these areas around Houston
testimonials
Client Reviews
NEED HELP? HAVE QUESTIONS?
"*" indicates required fields