A vehicle accident that involves a large truck can have catastrophic consequences. As an injured victim, it is important to know how to pursue fair financial compensation through the claims process.
A common type of commercial truck accident is the jackknife, where the trailer of a truck swings out at an angle away from the cab. A Las Vegas truck accident attorney can guide you through the steps required to file a claim after a truck accident.
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Understanding Jackknife Truck Accidents
A jackknife accident describes a crash where the trailer of a truck forms a V or L shape in relation to the cab, like the folding of a jackknife (pocketknife). These accidents can occur when a truck driver suddenly hits the brakes too hard, as well as due to issues such as brake failure, speeding, slippery roads, or an imbalanced truck.
When a large truck jackknifes, the truck driver will lose the ability to steer or control the big rig. It may crash into one or more other vehicles on the road, or the truck may roll over. Jackknife accidents can result in serious injuries to those in smaller vehicles, such as broken bones, head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns and lacerations, and soft-tissue injuries.
Liability in Las Vegas Jackknife Truck Accidents
Unlike a standard car accident case in Las Vegas, a large truck accident claim may involve parties beyond just the motor vehicle driver. Fault or liability for a commercial truck accident may lie with the trucking company, maintenance team, truck owner/operator, truck manufacturer or cargo company, depending on the circumstances.
Determining who is at fault takes an investigation into who or what caused the jackknife accident. In many cases, a trucking company can be held vicariously responsible for accidents involving their trucks or drivers. If the driver was poorly trained or the truck was in bad condition, these are signs of trucking company liability.
Compensation Available to Jackknife Truck Accident Victims
In the aftermath of a harmful jackknife truck accident in Las Vegas, you may be eligible for financial compensation (or damages) for many of your related losses.
Though every case is unique, common types of compensation awarded include:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Pain, suffering and emotional injuries
- Property damage repairs or vehicle replacement
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
To recover compensation, you must file your claim within Nevada’s statute of limitations, or deadline for filing. Nevada Revised Statutes § 11.190 gives most claimants two years to file.
Why You Need a Specialized Las Vegas Jackknife Truck Accident Attorney
When attempting to recover from a jackknife trucking accident, it is critical to hire the right attorney for your needs. Your lawyer should have experience specifically in truck accident law to properly navigate the elements that are unique to your case.
Examples include:
- Federal trucking regulations and safety laws
- Special evidence, such as the truck’s black box and trucking company records
- Multiple liable parties and vicarious liability
- Powerful adversaries and insurance carriers
- Catastrophic injuries and fatalities
The right attorney can negotiate for a fair and full settlement that allows you to move forward with peace of mind. Although most personal injury cases settle, your lawyer should also have the power to handle the litigation process if your truck accident claim needs to go to trial.
Getting Help After a Las Vegas Jackknife Truck Accident
If you or someone close to you was recently hurt in a jackknife trucking accident in Las Vegas, don’t hesitate to contact Edward Bernstein & Associates for a free legal consultation at our local law office. We don’t charge any fees for our services unless we win. Contact us online or call (702) 508-7334 today for a free case evaluation.