New York City Jackknife Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyers
Injured in a jackknife truck crash in NYC? Frekhtman & Associates fights for maximum compensation for jackknifed tractor-trailers, lost control, and highway multi-car crashes in New York.
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Why Hire Our NYC Jackknife Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer?
Nearly $1 Billion Won
We’ve recovered almost $1 billion for injured clients across documented cases
Largest MVA Recovery
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We’ve been featured in national and local outlets including the New York Post, Daily Mail, and CBS New York
No Fee Unless We Win
Because we work on a contingency fee, you won’t pay us a dime unless we win your case
A jackknife tractor trailer is a type of truck accident where the tractor brakes suddenly causing the trailer to swing out at a 90 degree right angle to the tractor. The angle looks like a pocket knife. The longer portion of the right angle is the trailer and the shorter portion the tractor as they form what looks like the letter “L”. Jackknife accidents often happen during slippery or wet conditions when the wheels lock up. These accidents are very dangerous with a high likelihood of a rollover.
Because trucks carrying trailers are very large long vehicles 50 feet or more carrying cargo weight of 80,000 pounds, the consequences of a jackknife accident can be devastating. Up to 5% of all truck accidents are jackknife tractor trailer accidents and should result in contact with a New York City truck accident lawyer.
Causes of Jackknife Accidents
- Truck driver locking the drive axles when braking
- Locking the steering axle brakes
- Slippery road conditions
- High speed driving
- Inclement weather
- Curves in the road
- Brake failure or other equipment malfunction
What Truck Drivers Can Do to Avoid Jackknife Accidents
- Always keep a reasonable distance behind other vehicles especially in poor weather conditions; never tailgate
- if the truck begins to skid, the driver should release the brakes and turn the steering wheel in the same direction as the skid to help avoid a jackknife
- a truck driver should not try to slam on the brakes but rather brake over a longer stopping distance
- a truck driver should not hit the brakes and swerve at the same time
Common Injuries and Damages After a Jackknife Accident
- Spinal Cord Injury
- fractures
- lacerations and internal bleeding
- head injuries or TBI
- concussion
- Wrongful Death
- Whiplash Injuries
- burns
- contusions
- injuries from seat belts
A plaintiff can recover compensation for a jackknife accident that was even partially the fault of a truck driver and or trucking company. Compensation includes
- past and future pain and suffering
- past and future lost wages
- past and future medical expenses
- and other types of damages
While it’s possible to handle a personal injury case on your own, having an experienced attorney by your side significantly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. According to studies, victims represented by a personal injury lawyer receive higher settlement amounts compared to those who handle their cases independently. Here are some of the practice areas we handle: