Northern California Jackknife Truck Accident Attorneys
Did you suffer injuries in a jackknife truck accident? Was it due to the truck driver’s or trucking company’s negligence? If so, contact the Northern California truck accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm to discuss your case and your legal options for pursuing compensation. We can help you hold the at-fault party liable for the harm they caused and seek the justice you deserve.
Tiemann Law Firm has been representing clients in Northern California for over 22 years. When you hire us, we will remain in your corner until the end of your case. We will advocate for your rights and aggressively pursue the maximum compensation you need to pay for your medical costs and other expenses resulting from the accident.
The Northern California jackknife truck accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm don’t give up without a fight. We will exhaust all resources to reach the best possible outcome in your case. You will receive one-on-one attention and personalized services that match your needs. To learn more about how we can help you recover after an accident involving a commercial truck, call us at (916) 999-9000 for a free consultation.
Common Types of Commercial Trucks
You can find commercial trucks on roads throughout the country. Drivers haul materials to construction sites, deliver items to homes and businesses, and transport goods to retail stores. They’re essential to the economy but can cause severe injuries and massive destruction in accidents with smaller vehicles.
The most common types of commercial trucks are:
- Heavy haulers
- Delivery trucks and vans
- Tractor-trailers
- Flatbed trucks
- Dump and garbage trucks
- Tanker trucks
- Refrigerated trucks
- Box trucks
- Semi-trailers
- Cement mixer
Truck drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license and go through extensive training to operate these vehicles. Driving one requires a thorough knowledge of how they work and the necessary skills to maneuver on any road in any condition.
Commercial Truck Driver Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets and enforces regulations that trucking companies and truck drivers must follow.
Regulations for commercial truck drivers state that they must:
- Complete all required certifications and tests
- Maintain a valid commercial driver’s license
- Read, speak, and write English at a level of ability sufficient to maintain driving logs, understand traffic signs, communicate with others
- Be at least 18 years old to drive within the state and at least 21 years old to travel to other states
- Drive for no longer than eleven hours after spending ten hours off-duty
- Inspect the truck before and after each driving shift
- Refrain from consuming drugs or alcohol
- Take at least a 30-minute break after driving for eight hours
Some of the regulations for trucking companies instruct that they must:
- Complete a thorough background check on prospective employees
- Supervise and enforce the allowable maximum driving hours
- Provide training
- Randomly test drivers for alcohol and drugs
- Load cargo using the proper securement systems and within weight and size limits
- Routinely maintain and repair every truck in the fleet
The penalty for violating FMCSA regulations is a significant fine. The trucking company or truck driver could be held liable if they violated any of these rules and caused injuries in an accident.
Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknifing occurs when the trailer and cab of a commercial truck slide towards each other at a 90-degree angle. It’s often the result of the driver losing control of the vehicle.
Severe injuries and fatalities are common in jackknifing accidents. If you’re in the path of a large truck, it might be impossible to get out of the way to avoid a collision. When you’re up against an 80,000-pound vehicle, you likely won’t walk away completely unharmed.
Different factors could contribute to a jackknife accident, including:
- Improperly or overloaded cargo
- Driving too fast for weather or road conditions
- Turning too quickly
- Failing to check blind spots
- Vehicle or parts defects
- Distracted driving
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Unsafe lane changes
- Sudden or incorrect braking
- Tailgating
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
The trucker may have been operating the truck, but their employer could be just as responsible for your injuries for many reasons, such as negligently hiring an inexperienced or unqualified driver. The Northern California jackknife truck accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm can review all the evidence we find to determine who should be held liable.
Multiple Parties Could Be at Fault for a Truck Accident
The truck driver and trucking company aren’t the only parties that could be to blame if you were in a collision with a commercial truck. Liability could also fall on:
- Cargo loading company for overloading the vehicle or using defective securement devices
- Maintenance and repair companies for failing to ensure the truck is in good working condition
- Parts manufacturer for providing trucking companies with faulty or malfunctioning parts
- Third-party owner for failing to maintain the cab or trailer used by the driver
At Tiemann Law Firm, we have extensive resources to investigate truck accidents and prove which party caused the crash. We know the legal strategies we can use to seek the compensation you deserve.
Possible Compensation You Can Pursue
The past and future losses you suffered should not be your financial responsibility. California follows a fault system, meaning the at-fault party should be held liable for the victim’s injuries and resulting losses.
You can file an insurance claim or lawsuit to pursue compensation for any of these losses:
- Emotional distress
- Medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Disfigurement or physical impairment
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Inconvenience
It’s crucial to remember that you should never admit fault after an accident, even if you believe you were partially responsible. That’s because a jury could diminish the monetary value of your case in a lawsuit if they determine you share any amount of blame for your injuries. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in losses but were 20% at fault for the crash, you could only seek up to $80,000 in compensation.
Contact Us
If you were injured in a jackknife truck accident, do not hesitate to contact Tiemann Law Firm. We understand the trauma you experienced and the life-changing consequences of being injured because of another person’s negligent actions. You don’t have to face the truck driver or trucking company alone. We will stay by your side to fight for justice and work hard to achieve your desired outcome.
Call us at (916) 999-9000 for a free consultation today.
