Chattanooga Jackknife Accidents
Truck Wreck Attorneys Assisting Victims in Chattanooga and the Surrounding Area
Jackknifing occurs when the cab of a commercial truck and the attached trailer begin to move in opposing directions. This causes the truck to form a distinctive “L” shape. Jackknife accidents are dangerous because the L shape of the truck increases the potential number of vehicles that the truck may impact during the accident. Given the danger that 18-wheelers pose to smaller vehicles on the road, these accidents can result in serious or possibly fatal injuries. At Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, we have over 30 attorneys and more than 120 support staff members who are experienced in handling complex trucking accident cases. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a jackknife accident, call our firm today to speak with a Chattanooga truck accident attorney about your case.
Bringing Claims for Injuries Sustained in a Jackknife Accident
Often, commercial trucks jackknife when their tires lose grip, or traction, with the road. There are many reasons that a truck might lose traction. For instance, the truck driver may have to brake suddenly because the driver was distracted by a cell phone or a conversation with a passenger, causing the truck to skid. Truck driver fatigue could play a role if a tired driver’s attention is taken off of the road even for a split second. Inclement weather can also cause a loss of traction, especially if the truck driver is traveling too fast for the conditions such as rain or ice. There is also the possibility that the truck driver does not have the proper training or experience to safely operate such a large vehicle.
If a person is injured in a jackknife accident caused by unsafe or unreasonable actions like those described above, the injured victim will likely be able to recover damages under the legal theory of negligence. Evidence regarding the exact cause of an accident can be found in many places, including police reports, witness statements, video footage, phone records, driving logs, and other sources of information. By seeking assistance from an attorney experienced in handling truck accident cases in the Chattanooga area, injured victims can increase their chances of obtaining evidence to support their case. Once a negligence claim has been established, the injured victim may be entitled to recover damages that may include past medical bills, pain and suffering, past lost wages, future medical bills, future lost wages, and more.
If evidence exists to support a negligence claim against the truck driver, the injured victim may also be able to hold the trucking company responsible through the doctrine of vicarious liability. Under Tennessee law, vicarious liability holds employers responsible for the actions of their employees that are committed within the course and scope of employment. In a jackknife accident case, the trucking company may be liable for injuries caused by a truck driver’s negligence that occurred while the driver was otherwise performing his employment duties.
Discuss Your Case With Our Chattanooga Attorneys
At Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, our Chattanooga lawyers are dedicated to helping injured accident victims and obtain fair compensation for various losses that they have suffered. As the largest plaintiff’s personal injury law firm based in Tennessee, we have the resources and experience necessary to pursue that goal for our clients. If you have an accident case that you would like to discuss with our attorneys, call us today for a free consultation. We serve trucking accident and other personal injury victims throughout Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Kentucky, including in Chattanooga, Memphis, Knoxville, Nashville, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Tupelo, Oxford, Jackson, Grenada, Starkville, Meridian, Hayti, and Caruthersville. You can reach us over the phone at 800-529-4004 or by using our online form. Let us show you why NST is the way to go if you need an 18-wheeler crash lawyer in Chattanooga.