Modern tractor-trailers are designed to be attached to, detached from, and swapped between cabs easily in a depot or loading facility. While this gives these massive machines a lot more utility than the typical box truck and many other types of commercial vehicles, it also means that a semi-truck’s trailer can move independently of its cab under certain circumstances, especially if the truck as a whole loses traction with the road at high speed.
If a truck’s trailer “jackknifes” out to the side or in front of its cab during a skid, it can collide with multiple other vehicles—causing catastrophic harm to the people inside—before coming to a stop. Needless to say, jackknife truck accidents in Tempe can be uniquely devastating for this reason and many others, and if you have recently been hurt in a wreck like this, seeking help from the seasoned truck accident attorneys at Phillips Law Group is vital to obtaining the restitution you deserve.
Holding the Right People Accountable for a Jackknife Wreck
In many situations, the person most directly to blame for jackknife truck crashes in Tempe is the person who was driving the tractor-trailer involved. Various forms of reckless and careless behavior behind the wheel can lead to a truck driver losing control of their vehicle and jackknifing into traffic ahead of them, from overtly illegal acts like speeding and drunk driving to simply irresponsible ones like taking a turn too quickly with their vehicle weight and road conditions in mind.
That said, it is not unheard of for crashes of this nature to stem partially or even primarily from misconduct by people not directly involved in the crash itself. For instance, if a truck jackknifes in part because its cargo unexpectedly shifted during transit, the fault for ensuing injuries might lie with a supplier whose employees failed to secure that cargo properly. A knowledgeable legal professional can likewise help demand civil compensation after a jackknife accident from mechanics who failed to service trucks properly, manufacturers who produced faulty truck components, and trucking companies who allowed unqualified drivers to operate their vehicles.
Recovering Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
Legal counsel can also help identify and accurately value every compensable loss that a Tempe jackknife truck wreck directly results in someone sustaining. This can include both economic and non-economic forms of harm, such as:
- Short-term and long-term medical bills
- Lost work income, benefits, and/or future earning capacity
- Personal property damage and related expenses—for example, the costs of car repair services and of using a rental car service while those repairs are completed
- Physical pain and discomfort from injuries
- Psychological trauma and suffering
- Lost enjoyment/quality of life
Perhaps most importantly, a skilled attorney can help build a strong claim accounting for all recoverable damages within the two-year filing deadline set by Arizona Revised Statutes §12-542 for personal injury litigation.
Get Help From a Tempe Attorney After a Jackknife Truck Accident
Any time a truck driver loses control of their vehicle while on a major highway, the ensuing accident will likely cause serious harm to many people who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even by that standard, though, jackknife truck accidents in Tempe can be particularly dangerous and traumatic, not to mention expensive to recover from in the aftermath.
If you need help seeking fair financial recovery for the harm you have sustained through this sort of incident, the team at Phillips Law Group is ready to provide it. Call today to schedule a free, no-obligation initial meeting and learn more about what we can do for you.
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