There aren’t many things more frightening on the road than a semitruck that jackknifes. The sheer amount of destruction a truck in this position can cause is enormous. Victims of these types of accidents typically experience substantial injuries that deeply impact their lives. Fortunately, with the aid of an experienced Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer, a truck accident victim can potentially access the funds they need to cover the injuries and losses they have suffered.
Why Choose Us?
We Fight to Win
At The Stoddard Firm, we don’t overcomplicate matters but simply stick to our tried and true methods of compensation recovery, which include:
- Keeping a small caseload to be able to give each client the care they need
- Devoting extensive resources and time to investigating the accident
- Sparing no expense to demonstrate how the accident has changed various aspects of the client’s life
- Investing the time and money required to get adequate compensation for the injuries sustained.
The past results we have obtained for clients show that we are always prepared to go the extra mile to recover proper compensation awards for our jackknife truck accident clients.
If you have been involved in a jackknife accident in Georgia and need compensation for your injuries and losses, look no further than The Stoddard Firm. Call (470) 467-2200 for a free consultation with an Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer and learn how The Stoddard Firm can help.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Jackknife truck accidents are among the most common types of semitruck accidents. They occur when a big rig’s trailer and cab become folded toward one another to resemble a folding pocket knife, all while the truck is in motion. Due to the size of big rigs and their trailers, jackknife accidents have the potential to involve numerous vehicles across multiple lanes.
There are various causes of jackknifing, and all of them can usually be avoided with the proper caution and care. They include:
- Equipment issues
- Improper braking
- Icy or slippery road conditions.
In some cases, a driver might actually attempt to cause a jackknife to help the truck slow down when its brakes fail.
Determining Who Is Liable
One of the most important aspects of any claim for compensation in a jackknife truck accident is determining who is to blame. Once the liable party is identified, the victims of the accident can start filing claims. The problem is that sometimes it is difficult to determine who is at fault, especially when multiple vehicles are involved.
For this reason, at The Stoddard Firm we devote significant resources to the investigation of the accidents that harm our clients. Our goal is not simply to find a liable party, but to find all liable parties and hold them accountable.
Truck Driver
As you might imagine, the truck driver is typically the first person suspected of negligence in a jackknife truck accident. Some of the actions they engage in may very well lead to jackknifing, such as:
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Failing to address known equipment failures
- Speeding.
Jackknifing may also occur when a truck driver is too inexperienced to operate a particular big rig.
Trucking Company
A trucking company that hires a negligent driver may also be held liable for the driver’s negligent actions, under the theory of vicarious liability. There is no requirement that the employer must have committed any negligence of its own. For example, if a drowsy truck driver jackknives their rig and causes injuries, the truck driver’s employer will likely face some liability simply for being the employer. Keep in mind that independent contractors are not considered employees.
In addition to being responsible for employee negligence, trucking companies are also accountable for their own negligent acts. For example, if the trucking company negligently hires a risky driver or if the company provides faulty equipment, it can be sued for damages if an accident occurs.
Shipping Company
Shipping companies are responsible for packaging and securing loads on big rigs. Failure to properly load or tie down cargo can cause a big rig and its trailer to become dangerously unstable and lead to jackknifing.
Repair Shop
Big rig repair shops are tasked with properly servicing and repairing these massive vehicles. If, during the course of their investigation, your Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer finds that an improper repair was to blame for the jackknife accident, they will pursue damages from the repair shop.
Truck or Truck Parts Maker
Makers of trucks and truck parts may be held liable for defective parts that lead to jackknife accidents and other types of truck accidents. In Georgia, as in many other states, parts and product makers are held strictly liable for the damage caused by their products. Faulty brakes, for example, are a well-known cause of jackknife accidents.
No matter who is liable, you can rely on The Stoddard Firm to identify them and pursue them for damages. To speak with an Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer for no charge, give us a call at (470) 467-2200 for a free consultation and review of your case.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Safeguard Your Right to Compensation
Swift action is essential for victims of big-rig jackknife accidents. Important time considerations are at work that can lead to valid claims being invalidated. If you have been involved in a jackknife accident and need compensation, the sooner you act, the better your results are likely to be.
At the very least, you will want to be in compliance with the statute of limitations for cases such as these. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for pursuing damages after a truck crash is two years. Once this time period has passed, most valid claims become invalid, meaning damages are no longer available.
Additionally, acting quickly often leads to a stronger claim for compensation, principally due to evidence issues. For example, various forms of evidence work well in proving liability in jackknife and other types of truck accidents, such as:
- Traffic cam footage
- Dashboard and surveillance footage
- Witness statements.
However, as time goes on, your Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer may run into problems obtaining these forms of evidence. Traffic cam footage is typically deleted not long after it’s recorded, and witnesses become difficult to locate or have memory problems as time goes on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers You’re Looking For
We’ve got answers to your jackknife truck accident questions. Read through the content that follows and please reach out to our office anytime to speak with an Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer.
Do I really need an Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer for my jackknife truck accident case?
Yes. If you have been injured in a jackknife accident and need compensation, you should strongly consider seeking the services of an experienced Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer. With a lawyer, you have a better chance of getting a proper compensation award that truly reflects your injuries and losses.
Can I afford an Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer?
Yes. An Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer takes their fee from the compensation you receive at the end of your case. This translates into zero upfront payments from you. If your Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer has been unsuccessful in recovering compensation for you, you owe nothing.
How much in damages can I get for my truck accident claim?
You are entitled to economic and non-economic damages, which include:
- Medical bill compensation
- Replacement of lost wages
- Motor vehicle damage compensation
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for mental and emotional anguish.
The total you receive usually depends on the extent of your injuries and other factors, such as the strength of the evidence and the skill of your Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer.
How long does it take to receive compensation for jackknife truck accident cases?
It depends on the circumstances surrounding your case. Relatively straightforward crashes without any doubt as to liability typically take far less time than cases where liability is not so clear. If your case is straightforward, it could be resolved in a matter of a few months.
I was offered an insurance settlement for my truck accident injuries and losses. Should I accept it?
Ultimately, the decision to accept an insurance company’s offer is up to you as the client. However, before accepting any payment, it is strongly advised that you allow an experienced Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer to review your case and the offer. In most cases, the insurance company’s offer will be lower than what you deserve.
An experienced Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer at our office is ready to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to call at your convenience.
An Atlanta Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer Is Ready to Help
Take the Next Step Toward Compensation
If you’ve been injured in a jackknife truck accident, you may be in pain and unable to live life as you once did. If that’s true for you, The Stoddard Firm is ready to meet and discuss your case and your options. We work hard to ensure that our clients leave no compensation on the table that belongs in their pockets.
For a free consultation with an experienced Atlanta jackknife truck accident lawyer, reach out to The Stoddard Firm. Learn how we can potentially help you get the funds you need to heal and sort out your future. Call (470) 467-2200 for a free consultation today.
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]
