A jackknife truck accident can turn an ordinary drive into a chaotic scene quickly. Nearby drivers may have little room to avoid a crash as the trailer jackknifes and moves across the roadway. These serious accidents leave people with injuries, vehicle damage, and concerns about how they will recover.
If you were hurt in such a crash, our Cartersville truck accident lawyers will explain your options and help you understand what to expect. Jones & Swanson has served Georgia communities for years and has recovered more than $50 million in settlements for clients. We know that after a crash, people deserve answers they can trust.
We believe people deserve honest guidance and a team that listens and responds when they need help. A Cartersville jackknife accident lawyer at Jones & Swanson provides personal attention from the start. Call today for a free consultation.
Why People Turn to Jones & Swanson After a Jackknife Accident
Many people recovering from accidents feel like they have been dropped into a process they do not fully understand. At Jones & Swanson, we help clients make sense of what is happening and what choices are available. We explain each step clearly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.
Our firm is intentionally smaller than many big-box injury firms. We believe that allows us to provide a different level of service. When clients call, we return phone calls. When clients send emails, we respond.
We have the resources to handle catastrophic truck accident cases while still providing hometown service. A Cartersville personal injury lawyer from Jones & Swanson will work to keep you informed and involved throughout your case.
Our Jackknife Crash Attorneys in Cartersville Will Lead Your Case
After a tractor-trailer jackknifes, a claim for damages may involve multiple insurance companies, trucking companies, and investigators. Our job is to protect your interests while you focus on healing.
Commercial trucking companies can begin gathering evidence shortly after a crash, making it important to start protecting your interests as early as possible. We will work to level the playing field while you focus on your recovery.
Our jackknife truck crash attorneys in Cartersville will:
- Investigate how the crash occurred.
- Preserve important evidence.
- Obtain truck driver records.
- Review electronic logging data.
- Examine truck maintenance records.
- Speak with witnesses.
- Calculate current and future damages.
- Handle communication with insurance companies.
- Negotiate for a fair resolution.
- File a lawsuit (if necessary).
Our lawyers and staff are known for compassion, diligence, responsiveness, and commitment to excellent results. As a hometown firm, we value relationships and work hard to make sure every client feels heard and supported.
We Help Injured Clients Who Don’t Have Health Insurance
Many people worry about how they will pay for medical treatment after a serious truck accident, especially if they do not have health insurance. If that sounds familiar, do not assume you are out of options before speaking with an attorney from our team.
Jones & Swanson helps injured clients explore the treatment options available while their legal case is pending. We understand the financial pressure that can follow a serious injury. We will discuss resources that may be available based on your situation and document the full cost of your medical care and other damages.
What Is a Jackknife Trucking Accident?
A jackknife accident happens when a tractor-trailer begins to skid, and the trailer swings out beside the truck. The collision gets its name from the position of the truck and trailer.
As the trailer moves sideways, it can form an angle with the cab that looks much like a folding pocketknife. Once that happens, the driver may have little ability to regain control before a collision occurs.
When a truck jackknifes, the trailer can block multiple lanes of traffic. Nearby vehicles may have little time or space to avoid a collision. These crashes can happen when any of the following occur:
- Sudden braking
- Speeding
- Wet roads
- Equipment failures
- Improper cargo loading
- Driver mistakes
- Tire problems
Because commercial trucks are so large and heavy, jackknife accidents frequently cause severe injuries.
Why Jackknife Crashes Can Be Especially Serious in Cartersville
Cartersville sits near major truck routes used by commercial traffic traveling through Northwest Georgia. Large trucks regularly travel on:
- Interstate 75
- U.S. Highway 41
- Georgia Highway 20
- Georgia Highway 61
Heavy traffic, construction zones, changing weather conditions, and busy highway interchanges can increase the risk of serious truck crashes. The chain reactions that occur after an 18-wheeler jackknifes can create especially complicated injury claims. We handle these claims for our clients while they focus on getting better.
Injuries We See in Claims for Jackknife Truck Collisions
The force involved in a jackknife collision can cause life-changing injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Crush injuries
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Permanent disabilities
Some people need months or years of treatment before they can recover from these accidents. Other people may never have the life they enjoyed before the crash.
Recoverable Damages After a Tractor-Trailer Crash in Cartersville
After a Jones & Swanson jackknife accident lawyer in Cartersville reviews what happened, we may be able to recover the following with a claim:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Therapy costs
- Prescription medication expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced future earning ability
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional suffering
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Damaged or destroyed property
Severe injuries can create challenges long after a case closes. Our Cartersville catastrophic injury lawyer will work to identify the long-term effects of an injury.
Fatal Jackknife Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
Some jackknife collisions result in devastating loss. If you have lost a loved one in an accident, we are deeply sorry for what you and your family are going through. During this difficult time, families often have questions about what comes next and how they will move forward.
When a loved one dies because of another party’s negligence, certain surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. You don’t have to handle this on your own. A Cartersville wrongful death lawyer from our team will explain your options and help your family understand the legal process.
Damages in a Wrongful Death Case
Losses in these cases may include:
- The full value of the person’s life
- Lost earnings and benefits
- The cost of final arrangements (e.g., funeral and burial expenses)
- Injury-related medical bills
- Other losses allowed under Georgia law
Our team approaches these cases with compassion, respect, and personal attention.
Who Can You Hold Responsible for Damages?
Determining who’s at fault for an accident is not always easy or straightforward. In many cases, more than one party shares blame for what happened. In some instances, the truck driver made a mistake behind the wheel.
In others, the trucking company may have contributed to the crash through poor hiring, training, or supervision practices. Liability can also involve a maintenance company that failed to address mechanical problems, a company responsible for loading cargo, or a manufacturer that supplied a defective truck part.
A Jones & Swanson attorney handling jackknife accidents in Cartersville will investigate the circumstances of the crash and identify all potential sources of liability.
How Long Do You Have to Seek Damages After a Georgia Truck Accident?
The time you have to take legal action after a motor vehicle accident depends on the facts of the case and the claims involved. In Georgia, many personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits are subject to a two-year filing deadline under Georgia Code § 9-3-33.
Certain circumstances can affect how much time is available, so it helps to speak with an attorney from our team about your situation as soon as possible. We will keep your case on track. If you miss the deadline, you may not be able to recover damages.
What to Do After a Jackknife Truck Accident That Causes Injury
If you or a loved one has had an accident with an overturned truck that has jackknifed, focus on getting medical care first and documenting what you can. Pictures, witness contact information, medical records, and other evidence may become important later.
It is also wise to be cautious when speaking with insurance companies before you fully understand the full scope of your injuries and how the accident affected you. Before contacting them, you can call us for counsel, and we will speak to them on your behalf. This can help protect your claim.
A Jones & Swanson attorney will carefully review the collision, preserve important evidence, and help you make informed decisions about your next steps.
Jones & Swanson Will Help After a Cartersville Jackknife Crash
When serious truck accidents happen, the process can be overwhelming, and it is easy to feel like everyone else knows more about it than you do. Most injured people are dealing with this situation for the first time, and we are here to guide them through it.
At Jones & Swanson, we believe you deserve straightforward answers and representation that treats you like a person, not a case number. We will help you understand the situation, evaluate your options, and make decisions while remaining focused on achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
We are ready to learn how the accident happened and start your claim. If you would like to speak with a jackknife accident lawyer in Cartersville, call our office for a free consultation.
