If you or someone you love has been hurt in a jackknife collision in Jacksonville, Florida, you need a legal team with the experience and resources to go head-to-head with powerful trucking companies and their insurers. At Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our Jacksonville jackknife accident attorneys have spent decades fighting for injury victims.
We’ve recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients. If you’re facing mounting bills, injuries, and uncertainty about your next steps, we’re ready to help you pursue every dollar you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation at (904) 356-6071.
How Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Jackknife Accident in Jacksonville, FL
After a serious truck accident, you may be overwhelmed by pain, paperwork, and financial anxiety. Insurance adjusters will likely reach out with questions or low offers designed to limit your recovery. At Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our role is to take that burden off your shoulders.
When you work with our Jacksonville truck accident lawyers, you can expect us to:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of the accident scene, vehicles, and contributing factors
- Secure critical evidence, including dashcam and black box data
- Identify all liable parties, such as drivers, trucking companies, or maintenance contractors
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts
- Negotiate with insurers for a fair settlement
- Represent you in court if the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable offer
We strongly advise that you avoid speaking with the trucking company or their insurance representatives directly. Anything you say can be used against you. Let us protect your rights and level the playing field.
What Is a Jackknife Accident?
A jackknife accident occurs when a large truck, such as a tractor-trailer, folds at the joint connecting the cab and trailer, forming an “L” or “V” shape. This usually happens when the trailer swings out to the side, causing the driver to lose all control over the rig.
A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When that much mass is suddenly out of control, the outcome is often catastrophic or even fatal for anyone sharing the road. When a driver slams on the brakes too hard, or weather and road conditions interfere, the risk of a jackknife increases dramatically.
These accidents are frequently triggered by:
- Sudden or improper braking, especially at high speeds
- Tailgating or failing to maintain a safe distance
- Sharp or fast turns
- Slippery roads due to rain or poor weather
- Unbalanced or improperly secured cargo
- Empty trailers, which reduce traction
- Neglected vehicle maintenance
- Inadequate driver training or inexperience
Truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible for following strict safety standards. Any shortcuts or oversights can put everyone at risk.
Why Are Jackknife Accidents So Dangerous?
When a tractor-trailer jackknifes, the driver is no longer in control, and the trailer essentially becomes a sweeping blade, dragging the cab and everything in its path with it. The massive trailer can swing across multiple lanes of traffic, striking vehicles, blocking roads, and causing pileups.
In some cases, cars are caught and crushed between the cab and the trailer. The force and chaos of these accidents make them especially deadly. Jackknife accidents often happen suddenly, leaving other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians with little or no time to react. The result is often catastrophic injury or loss of life.
Common Injuries in Jackknife Accidents
Because of the scale and force of jackknife accidents, victims often suffer severe, life-altering injuries, such as:
- Multiple bone fractures
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns from fires or explosions
- Lacerations and severe cuts
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Crush injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Psychological trauma
Some victims face a long road to recovery, with months or years of medical care, rehabilitation, and lost income. Others may never fully recover.
What Should You Do After a Jackknife Accident in Jacksonville?
If you’ve been involved in a jackknife accident, your priority should be safety and medical attention. Call 911, follow the instructions of emergency responders, and get a thorough medical evaluation even if you think you’re unharmed. Many injuries may not be immediately apparent.
As soon as you are able, contact a Jacksonville jackknife accident lawyer to protect your rights. Evidence can disappear quickly, and trucking companies often act fast to limit their liability. Florida law imposes strict deadlines for filing a personal injury claim. Missing the statute of limitations can bar you from recovering compensation.
Contact Our Jacksonville Jackknife Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A jackknife accident can shatter your sense of security, but you don’t have to face the consequences alone. Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers has helped clients in Jacksonville recover from devastating truck accidents for decades. We understand what’s at stake, and we know how to fight back.
Let us help you pursue the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. Your first consultation is free, and you owe nothing unless we win your case.
Contact our office today to get started with a Jacksonville jackknife accident lawyer who will advocate for you at every turn.