Durham Jackknife Accident Attorney

A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, and the trailer contains most of that weight. A trailer that swings wide when a tractor-trailer jackknifes can crash into multiple cars in quick succession, causing serious personal injuries when all that weight collides with other vehicles.

The Durham jackknife truck accident attorneys at Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A., want to protect your rights and help you seek the money you need after a collision. We know how to hold careless commercial truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for the mistakes that cause jackknife crashes. Let us handle the legal work in your truck accident case so you can concentrate on healing.

Call 919-980-9895 now or complete our contact form for a free initial consultation with a Durham jackknife accident lawyer at Kornbluth Ginsberg. Our Durham office is strategically positioned at 3400 Croasdaile Drive, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27705, ensuring easy access for our clients.

Reasons to Choose Our Durham Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyers

Who you choose as your jackknife accident attorney could significantly affect your experience and potential compensation.

Some factors that set Kornbluth Ginsberg apart in Durham include:

• We’ve recovered millions of dollars for individuals like you, including a recent case where we secured $4.3 million for a client injured in a truck accident. While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, they do indicate our experience handling severe personal injury cases.
• We have over 100 years of combined legal experience, which helps us see your case from every angle and identify weak points in the other side’s arguments.
• We will treat you as you want to be treated at every stage of the legal process.
• We do not charge any attorney fees unless you recover compensation.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. Here’s what one client said about their experience with our law firm:

“If you are looking for a firm willing to stand up for you, you have found them. When the adjusters told us ‘no,’ more than once, my attorney pushed for what was fair for me. They dig through the details and they present the clearest picture of your case. They leave no stone unturned and will get you everything that you deserve. Thanks, Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A. team! You are a firm that shows up.” — J.L., Durham

What Are Jackknife Truck Accidents?

A jackknife truck accident happens when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side and forms an angle with the towing vehicle, making a shape that resembles a folding knife. It often occurs when the truck skids, brakes too hard, or loses traction.

Jackknife accidents are especially dangerous because they can block multiple lanes of traffic and cause serious multi-vehicle collisions. Commercial trucks and their trailers are also much bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles, which increases the chances of catastrophic or fatal injuries in a jackknife crash.

What Causes a Truck to Jackknife?

Most Durham jackknife truck accidents happen because someone (the truck driver, trucking company, parts manufacturer, or another party) acted carelessly.

Some examples of potential causes of jackknife crashes include:

• Sudden or hard braking – Slamming the brakes can cause a truck’s trailer to swing out, especially if the trailer is overweight, the brakes are out of adjustment, or road conditions are poor.
• Speeding – Driving too fast reduces the driver’s ability to maintain control, especially on curves or downhill slopes.
• Slippery roads – Rain, ice, or snow can reduce traction between the tires and the road, making it easier for the trailer to skid to either side when a truck brakes or turns.
• Sharp turns or curves – Taking a turn too quickly or at too sharp an angle can unbalance a truck’s load and cause the trailer to swing out behind the cab.
• Improperly loaded cargo – A truck’s cargo can shift during transit if the trailer’s weight is not evenly distributed, making the truck more difficult to control.
• Worn brakes or tires – Poor vehicle maintenance can reduce a truck’s braking efficiency and traction, both of which are crucial for preventing jackknife accidents.
• Driver inexperience or error – Inexperienced drivers may overcorrect, brake improperly, or misjudge road conditions, all of which can cause a jackknife crash.

Establishing Liability for Injuries Caused by a Jackknife Accident

Proving what caused a jackknife crash — and whose actions led to the collision — is one of a truck accident lawyer’s essential jobs.

Some evidence our Durham jackknife truck accident attorneys might use to establish liability includes:

• Dashcam or traffic camera footage of the accident scene – Video evidence from the truck driver’s perspective, your car, or other sources can capture how the crash occurred, such as whether the truck driver was speeding, braking suddenly, or changing lanes unsafely.
• Black box data – Data from the truck’s event data recorder (black box) can reveal the large commercial vehicle’s speed, braking patterns, and steering inputs before the crash. Trained investigators can use this info to determine if the driver acted recklessly or lost control.
• Witness statements – Testimony from drivers or pedestrians who witnessed the accident can provide valuable insight into how the crash occurred and what caused it.
• Police accident report – Officers responding to truck crashes typically document road conditions, indications of driver error, and any citations they issued at the scene, which can help establish fault.
• Truck maintenance records – If the truck had worn brakes or tires, poor maintenance could point to the trucking company’s negligence.
• Cargo loading records – Improperly loaded or unbalanced cargo may suggest that the freight company or truck owner failed to follow safety regulations.

When the Trucking Company May Be at Fault for a Jackknife Accident

A trucking company may be liable for a jackknife crash if it failed to maintain the truck properly, hired unqualified drivers, pressured drivers to meet unsafe delivery schedules, or allowed violations of federal safety regulations. For example, if a company forced a driver to work past legal driving hour limits and fatigue caused the driver to lose control and jackknife, the company could be liable.

Employers are also responsible for their employees’ actions while on the job, especially if they knowingly ignored safety issues or cut corners to save time or money. If the trucker was an employee – not an independent contractor – the employer would be vicariously liable for the truck driver’s negligence.

How Can Kornbluth Ginsberg Help After a Durham Jackknife Truck Accident?

Our Durham jackknife truck accident lawyers are ready to handle all the legal work in your case. We can investigate the crash, collect evidence, and identify who caused the collision. From there, we can file a formal claim and begin negotiating for a fair settlement from the insurance company. Many cases settle well before trial, but we will be ready to take your case to court if the liable party or an insurer does not offer a fair deal. We will be available 24/7 to answer your questions and concerns throughout the process.

Contact a Durham Jackknife Accident Attorney Today

You have just three years after a jackknife accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. The sooner you obtain legal help, the sooner we can begin investigating the crash and building a strong claim.

Call Kornbluth Ginsberg now at 919-980-9895 or complete our contact form for a free consultation with an experienced Durham truck accident attorney.