Imagine traveling down the sometimes-steep grades on I-10 only to find that the semi-truck behind you lost control and is now jackknifing behind you. In a situation like this, the driver has virtually no control and cannot simply stop.
Accidents like this happen too frequently, resulting in serious risk of injury and loss of life. At Galloway Jefcoat, we have the jackknife accident lawyers in Lake Charles who work to secure fair compensation for your injuries.
Request a free case evaluation with a Lake Charles truck accident lawyer. We have been fighting for injury victims since 1996.
Why You Need an Attorney in a Jackknife Accident
Jackknife truck accidents can be some of the most dangerous you will experience, and when they happen, the risk of serious injury and losses to you is very high. With the guidance of a jackknife accident attorney in Lake Charles, you gain a reliable, proven attorney who knows how to make them pay.
There are several benefits to hiring our legal team to represent you:
- We handle the insurance companies. It is very common for insurance companies to try to shift the blame to you. They may not tell you all the parties at fault in your case. That limits your ability to recover damages.
- Your losses are substantial, and you need maximum compensation. The devastation of these accidents changes the course of a person’s life. Our goal is always to maximize your compensation, ensuring you do not settle your accident claim for too little and suffer for years as a result.
- We understand truck regulations. Many of these jackknife accidents result from a truck driver or trucking company violating the law. Our lawyers fully understand the complexity of state and federal trucking regulations. We hold them accountable for those mistakes.
With our lawyer’s guidance, you receive the depth of legal representation you need to take on trucking companies and powerful insurance agencies. We hold them accountable by building an evidence-based case for your full recovery of damages.
"I have used Galloway Jefcoat a few times and have always been very satisfied. Furthermore, all of the people who work there are very professional, nice, and courteous."
Determining Fault in a Jackknife Accident
To build a strong case, expect your lawyer to investigate all aspects of your case beyond the police report. We look at what caused the accident or contributed to it in any way. Some examples of common reasons jackknifing accidents happen include:
- Truck driver distraction: Truck drivers may be held liable if their distraction contributed to the accident. A driver not paying attention may suddenly apply the brakes, causing the vehicle to skid.
- Cargo shifting: Cargo companies may be at fault if they fail to secure cargo properly, and that shift causes the accident.
- Driver fatigue: A driver operating while tired, such as due to hours-of-service violations to meet deadlines, can react poorly to changing road conditions.
- Truck maintenance failures: When a truck’s brakes, tires, or other components are not functioning properly, the trucking company may be responsible for failing to maintain its vehicle.
- Reckless driving: It is not uncommon for truck drivers to speed or engage in reckless driving, including aggressive merging, tailgating, or illegal lane changes. This means the truck driver is at fault.
In each of these cases, we review available data to demonstrate that all parties are at fault, such as commercial truck logs, hours-of-service records, cargo and maintenance documentation, witness statements, and expert opinions.
Our network of industry experts helps build your case so our Lake Charles personal injury lawyer at Galloway Jefcoat can fight fairly for your recovery of losses.
The Importance of Proving Fault in a Truck Accident
One tactic insurance companies use in these accidents that puts victims at risk is shifting blame onto the victim. Louisiana law follows a modified comparative negligence rule (CC 2323), meaning that even if both parties are at fault, the victim can pursue compensation for their losses if they are found to be 50% or less at fault.
Your compensation recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you, and that can lead to a costly limitation on your settlement. We fight to eliminate those risks.
"Galloway Jefcoat are amazing professionals who are very client focused. They will guide you thru all the details to help get your litigation solved. I was involved in a crash that ultimate required a knee replacement"
We Build Maximum Claims for Truck Accident Victims
After meeting with your lawyer, we begin building an evidence-based claim that documents all the emotional, physical, financial, and other losses you have suffered as a result of this incident. In that process, we document both current and future economic and non-economic losses for you.
Every case is different, but you can expect us to pursue fair compensation that may include:
- Medical expenses: Hospitalization costs, emergency medical care, ongoing therapy, medications, and rehabilitation
- Loss of income: Compensation for lost wages and benefits due to missing work
- Reduction in earning capacity: Often the result of permanent injuries and limitations
- Pain and suffering: Accounting for the pain suffered at the time of the accident as well as through recovery
- Property damage: Compensation to recover the value of your damaged property, such as your vehicle
- Loss of quality of life: Monetary compensation for the way this incident impacted your life, including limitations on relationships, career goals, and activities you enjoyed
Building a robust claim for you is one of the most important ways our jackknife accident law firm represents you in these challenging cases. Insurance companies may attempt to settle claims quickly for less than their full value.
With our legal representation, you can expect a better outcome because of the hard work we put into proving your rights.
"As a client of Galloway Jefcoat for over two years I want to take a minute to say how much I appreciate the team handling my case."
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Lake Charles Jackknife Accident Attorney Today
Please speak with the legal team at Galloway Jefcoat today. We are here for you right away. Consultations are 100% free, and you never pay us anything upfront for our legal services.
Even if you received a denial of your claim or are unsure of your rights to compensation, we will help you. Speak to our Lake Charles jackknife accident lawyer today to find out what we can do to protect you and your future.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."
