Jackknife Truck Accidents in Los Angeles

Jackknifing refers to when a semi-truck or another hitched vehicle folds in on itself. When a truck jackknifes, it can lead to multilane accidents, rear-end collisions, and other crashes that cause serious injuries to those involved. If you or a loved one were recently injured in a jackknife truck accident in Los Angeles, you might have a right to seek compensation for damages against the at-fault driver or trucking company.

Our experienced truck accident attorneys provide counsel from start to finish on a contingency fee basis. This means you can seek guidance without worrying about the cost. You will only owe us if we successfully win you compensation. Learn more about filing a lawsuit after a jackknife truck accident by calling our team for a free case evaluation.

Potential Causes of a Jackknife Truck Accident

A truck jackknifes when the front of the vehicle skids and turns in one direction, but the trailer continues to move forward. Several factors can contribute to the cause of a jackknife truck accident in Los Angeles, including:

• Speeding
• Bad weather
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Truck defects
• Sudden turns
• Overloaded or unbalanced cargo
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Identifying the events responsible for injury is the first step in holding a liable party accountable. Our attorneys can investigate the facts of the case and gather evidence to support a personal injury claim. Examples of relevant information sources in a jackknife truck accident could include Blackbox data, traffic camera footage, police reports, witness testimony, and available photo or video evidence.

Proving Fault and Liability for a Jackknife Truck Wreck

As explained in CACI No. 400, California law generally assigns liability to at-fault drivers and others whose careless or dangerous acts caused a Los Angeles jackknife truck accident. Outside of a negligent truck driver, other parties with potential liability in a truck accident case could be a driver’s employer, a truck manufacturer or maintenance provider, or a loading company. A party found liable for a jackknife truck accident may be responsible for an injured person’s economic and noneconomic damages. These damages are for costs associated with their injuries, such as pain and suffering, medical care, lost earnings from being unable to work, and a loss of enjoyment of life.

Additionally, California apportions liability for damages among all responsible parties by their percentage of fault. If one of the at-fault parties is the injured plaintiff, they may see their collectible damages reduced in accordance with the jury’s determination of their level of responsibility. For example, if an injured person is found 20 percent at fault for their injuries, they could only collect 80 percent of the total damages.

Deadline to File a Lawsuit

Victims of a jackknife truck accident generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under California’s statute of limitations in Code Section 335.1. Filing a claim outside of the allowable period will generally cause a dismissal of the case and could prevent an injured person from recovering compensation in court or through settlement.

Meet With a Los Angeles Jackknife Truck Accident Attorney

Our truck accident attorneys strive to provide a personable approach to each client’s case by understanding their specific needs and goals. We take the lead in every stage of the process, from preliminary investigation to filing a claim, managing additional court procedures, and obtaining a judgment or settlement on your behalf.

Additionally, our team is always available to you. You can text or call us at any time to stay informed on the status of your case. Schedule a free initial consultation with CD Law today and speak with a legal advocate about your right to compensation after a jackknife truck accident in Los Angeles.