Miami Tractor-Trailer Jackknife Lawyer

There are few more frightening and deadly types of motor vehicle accidents than when a tractor-trailer jackknifes. A jackknife accident often leads to multiple collisions as vehicles are hit by an out-of-control 18-wheeler that ends up strewn across the highway. Such accidents can easily leave dozens of victims dead or fighting for their lives with serious injuries.

The Miami tractor-trailer jackknife lawyers at Pike & Lustig, LLP, assist victims of these horrific accidents in seeking fair financial compensation for their losses. If you, or someone in your family, was injured or killed due to a tractor trailer jackknifing, we will fight to ensure that the negligent truck driver, trucking company, and any other person or company whose actions contributed to what happened pay for their irresponsible actions.

How Negligence Leads to Tractor-Trailer Jackknifing

A commercial truck consists of a tractor hauling a cargo trailer. A jackknife accident occurs when the tractor starts to skid and the trailer starts to overtake the tractor. If the truck driver fails to correct the problem in time by steering into the skid, the trailer will quickly push the tractor around until the passenger cab hits the trailer. This forces the entire tractor-trailer into a V-shape similar to that of a folded pocket knife or “jackknife.”

The real danger from a tractor-trailer jackknifing is that the vehicle can skid across multiple lanes of traffic before rolling over on its side. This essentially turns the semi-truck into a stationary road hazard. Drivers coming upon the jackknifed tractor-trailer often have just a few seconds to try and avoid colliding with the wrecked truck–and they are often unsuccessful.

Tractor-trailer jackknife accidents are often the result of negligence on the part of the truck driver, truck operator, or other parties responsible for the safety of the vehicle. Some common scenarios include:

• The driver used an improper braking technique;
• The driver was tailgating another vehicle and failed to maintain a safe stopping distance;
• The driver attempted to navigate a turn, such as highway on- or off-ramp, too quickly;
• The driver was speeding or driving too fast for road conditions;
• The driver was impaired due to the use of alcohol or drugs;
• The driver was fatigued due to being on-duty for too many hours without taking a mandatory rest break;
• The tractor-trailer was overloaded or improperly loaded, causing the vehicle’s center of gravity to shift during transport; or
• The tractor-trailer’s owner failed to properly inspect and maintain the vehicle’s brakes or steering system.

It is essential to work with an experienced Miami tractor-trailer jackknife lawyer who can fully investigate an accident to determine which of these scenarios, if any, led to a crash. This is the first step in holding the responsible parties legally accountable through a personal injury claim.

Reach Out to Our Miami Tractor-Trailer Jackknife Lawyer for Help

Victims of tractor-trailer jackknife accidents often incur substantial damages, which can include thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses. The Miami tractor-trailer jackknife lawyers at Pike & Lustig, LLP, fight to help ensure that victims receive this and other damages they are entitled to under Florida law. Contact us today at (561) 291-8298 to schedule a consultation.