Yes, you can sue for injuries after a jackknife truck accident in Florida if your injuries meet the state’s serious injury threshold. This generally includes permanent injury, significant scarring or disfigurement, or loss of bodily function. Since these accidents often cause severe harm, lawsuits are more common in these cases. It can help to speak with an Orlando truck accident lawyer to understand your options after a serious crash.
What causes jackknife truck accidents?
Jackknife truck accidents occur when a semi-truck’s cab and trailer are out of sync, and they fold in on themselves in a “V” shape. These accidents can occur when trucks have to brake suddenly or when their braking systems fail. Taking curves at high speeds, poor road conditions, or improperly loaded cargo can also contribute to these accidents and affect the truck’s balance and stability.
Who can be held liable in a jackknife truck accident?
Multiple parties can be held liable for a jackknife accident. The truck driver is often a key party, since they control how the vehicle is operated. But trucking companies, maintenance technicians, cargo loaders, and manufacturers can also share responsibility when they are negligent or fail to follow trucking regulations. This often makes these cases more complex, and an experienced truck accident attorney can provide valuable support and insight.
What injuries are common in jackknife truck accidents?
Because of a truck’s size and weight, collisions are often more severe, and an accident victim is more likely to suffer serious injuries. These injuries may include:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spine and back injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burn injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
When these injuries are severe, they may entitle you to file a lawsuit against the party responsible rather than through your personal injury protection (PIP) policy. Per Florida Statute 627.737, a victim can sue for a significant or permanent loss of bodily function, scarring, and disfigurement, as well as death.
How do you prove fault in a jackknife truck accident claim?
A truck accident lawyer can provide a guide to filing a truck accident lawsuit, as well as customized support. Proving fault in a jackknife truck accident often comes down to evidence. This may include driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, expert opinions and footage from the accident scene. These cases focus on showing what went wrong and who was responsible, whether that is the driver, a trucking company, or another party involved in the operation of the truck.
What compensation can you recover after a truck accident?
If you are entitled to recover damages in a lawsuit after a jackknife accident, you may be able to receive compensation for your financial losses as well as your suffering. While a settlement reflects your unique losses and their value, many victims may recover medical expenses, lost income or earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering. Work closely with a lawyer to determine what your case may be worth.
Learn your legal options after a jackknife truck accident in Orlando
A jackknife truck accident can leave you dealing with serious injuries and difficult questions about what comes next. Understanding your legal options early can make a difference in how your case moves forward.
If you have been injured, DWK Law works with people across Orlando to help them understand their options and build strong claims after serious truck accidents. You can call (407) 244-3000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.