Jackknife truck accidents in Virginia Beach are an extremely dangerous type of collision that often results in serious injury to nearby drivers and passengers. A negligent truck driver and other related parties may have liability for injury to others. Filing a civil claim with the help of an experienced truck accident attorney can be a valuable method for recovering compensation against those responsible.
The attorneys at The Law Firm of Carlton Bennett have over 50 years of experience litigating truck accident and motor vehicle collision cases. Learn more about how we can assist you or a loved one in navigating their road to financial recovery after an accident.
Jackknife truck accidents occur when the front of a semi folds at the hitch, swinging back toward the trailer. This creates an angle resembling a partially opened pocketknife, giving the accident its name. Jackknifing happens suddenly, leaving nearby vehicles little time to react. Various factors can cause a truck driver to lose control and trigger a jackknife accident. Common causes include:
Bad weather conditions, such as wind, ice, or rain, can amplify these issues and increase the chances of a jackknife truck crash in Virginia Beach.
Courts typically assign fault and liability for a jackknife accident to the driver who failed to control their rig safely and caused the crash. However, additional third parties may also bear liability if factors beyond the driver’s control contributed to the accident. For example, a truck manufacturer could be responsible for defective parts that led to the incident. Another driver may share liability if they violated traffic laws by abruptly braking or cutting off a semi-truck. Since most jackknife accidents in Virginia Beach involve commercial trucks, the driver’s employer may also be held accountable for injuries caused by their negligent employee.
In Virginia Beach, compensation in a jackknife truck accident lawsuit will vary from case to case based on the circumstances. However, plaintiffs will generally be able to claim damages for their pain and suffering, medical care, lost earnings, damaged property, and other losses. The deadline to file a civil claim for damages involving an accident is two years under the state’s statute of limitations.
The lawyers at The Law Office of Carlton Bennett use their years of experience and knowledge to deliver results for clients wrongfully injured by others. They have a strong record of recovering compensation for clients in catastrophic injury cases, such as those from a jackknife truck accident in Virginia Beach. Schedule a case review with our office today.