Knoxville Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents are a particularly dangerous form of truck accidents. Jackknifing occurs when the cab and trailer of a commercial truck begin to move in opposite directions, creating a sort of L shape. When this happens, the trailer can swing out onto the roadway, leaving no way for other drivers near the truck to avoid an accident. If you have been injured in a jackknife accident in Knoxville or the surrounding area, the Knoxville truck accident attorneys at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz can help you seek recovery against the responsible parties. We are the largest plaintiff’s personal injury law firm based in Tennessee, and our firm has over 30 years of experience assisting injured victims in obtaining compensation for their losses. Overall, we have recovered more than $1.5 billion in compensation for injured clients and their loved ones.
Establishing Liability in a Jackknife Truck Accident
As in other truck accident cases, victims injured in jackknife truck accidents usually must prove that the truck driver was negligent in causing their injuries. Jackknifing typically occurs due to a loss of traction, so finding out why the loss of traction occurred can be a crucial piece of the puzzle when pursuing a negligence claim against the truck driver. For example, the truck driver may have had to brake suddenly because they were distracted by a cell phone, the radio, or a conversation with a passenger. The truck driver could also have been traveling in poor conditions at a high rate of speed, causing the truck to hydroplane. Police reports, witness statements, cell phone records, driving logs, and more can be used to establish exactly how and why an accident happened. If you seek out the assistance of a skilled truck accident attorney in Knoxville, you will have someone on your side that can put the pieces together for you and help you build a strong case against the truck driver and trucking company.
Sometimes, the company that employs the truck driver can also be held liable for your injuries. One of the most common ways to hold a trucking company liable is through vicarious liability. Under Tennessee law, vicarious liability holds employers responsible for the actions of their employees that are within the course and scope of employment. For example, a trucking company can be held liable for injuries caused by a distracted truck driver if the driver was on the way to make a delivery for the company on an approved route.
There are also other ways to hold a trucking company liable for your injuries, including negligent hiring, negligent training, and negligent supervision. In order to know what claims may be available in your case, it is best to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney early on. Tennessee has a strict statute of limitation for truck accident and other personal injury claims. If the victim does not file a lawsuit in the appropriate jurisdiction within one year from the date of the accident, the right to recover may be lost forever.
Discuss Your Case with Our Skilled Knoxville Attorneys Today
At Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of accident victims, especially those injured by large corporations who disregard safety standards to place profits over people. If you have a jackknife accident case that you would like to discuss, contact our Knoxville lawyers today for a free consultation with a trucking accident attorney. You can reach us over the phone at 800-LAW-4004 or by using the online form on our website.
