Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer in Bamberg
One moment you’re driving down the road. The next, an 18-wheeler loses control and blocks the road, leaving you nowhere to go. When a commercial truck folds in half like a pocketknife, the outcomes can be tragic, leaving accident victims with severe injuries and facing lengthy recovery periods.
If you suffered injuries in a jackknife crash in Bamberg or elsewhere in South Carolina, you may have grounds to seek financial compensation. The experienced truck accident attorneys at Wilson Law Group, LLC can review your case and explain your legal options in a free consultation.
The sooner we can get involved, the better we can protect your rights. Contact Wilson Law Group, LLC today for your free case review.
Why Choose a Local Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer?
Not all personal injury firms are created equally. When you’re recovering from serious injuries in Bamberg, hiring a local truck accident attorney gives you advantages you may not realize. Local lawyers understand Bamberg’s roads, courts, and community, giving them unique insight that can shape how they prepare your claim. They will also know how regional insurance adjusters and defense counsel handle similar claims.
With a proven track record of success, Wilson Law Group, LLC represents clients throughout Bamberg and the surrounding South Carolina counties. Our local insight is invaluable when reconstructing accidents on rural highways or understanding traffic patterns near major routes, such as US-78 or SC-70. Being close by also means we are available to meet in person, visit crash sites, and connect you with nearby medical providers and expert witnesses when needed.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Because semi-trucks are significantly larger and heavier than cars, truck drivers require additional time and space to brake or maneuver safely. A jackknife accident happens when a large truck’s trailer swings toward the cab suddenly, making a “V” shape. The sudden shift can cause the driver to lose control, striking nearby vehicles.
Jackknifing can block multiple lanes of traffic, potentially leading to chain-reaction collisions and rollovers. These crashes often end in severe injuries and extensive property damage.
Jackknife accidents may involve multiple vehicles, making it difficult to determine who’s legally responsible. An experienced jackknife truck accident lawyer can identify whether the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, or any other negligent parties share liability for the wreck.
Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents in Bamberg, SC
Truck jackknife accidents occur due to a combination of driver behavior, mechanical problems, and environmental factors. Understanding what led to the crash helps build a stronger truck accident claim.
- Speeding: When a driver travels too fast for the current traffic or weather conditions, stopping is much harder.
- Sudden or improper braking: Hard braking can lock the truck’s drive axles. Once the tires lose traction, the trailer skids to the side, pulling the cab with it.
- Speeding: South Carolina law prohibits driving at a speed greater than is “reasonable and prudent under the conditions.” If a commercial truck driver ignored this rule, evidence such as traffic citations can help establish negligence.
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers have demanding delivery schedules and long hours behind the wheel. Federal hours-of-service regulations limit the number of consecutive hours a driver can work, but not everyone follows the rules. A fatigued driver may react too slowly to changing conditions or lose concentration.
- Inexperience: Truckers need specialized training to operate commercial vehicles safely. A truck accident lawyer can investigate the driver’s training records, hiring records, and their employer’s supervision policies to spot whether driver error or improper oversight could have contributed to the jackknife accident.
- Poor weather and road conditions: Bad weather can make it difficult to maintain traction. Large trucks may skid during sudden braking or steering adjustments on wet roads. While no one can control the weather, truck drivers and companies are responsible for safe operation in all weather conditions. Ideally, truckers should leave enough space and drive cautiously enough that a sudden stop won’t lead to a jackknife incident.
- Improper loading or maintenance: Cargo weight and balance affect driving. If a trailer is not properly loaded, cargo can shift during transit. This movement can throw off the vehicle’s center of gravity, causing it to jackknife.
Types of Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
Jackknife accidents can lead to serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, vital organ damage, crush injuries, and internal bleeding. These injuries may keep victims out of work due to lasting physical and emotional pain. Recovery can take months, if not years, and sometimes the damage is permanent.
Every truck accident claim is different, and your ability to recover compensation in South Carolina depends on the specifics of your case. State law allows accident victims to pursue compensation for economic and non-economic damages. This money can include reimbursement for accident-related financial challenges and personal losses such as:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle damage and replacement costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost quality of life
- Scarring/disfigurement
Your truck jackknife accident attorney can collect evidence to demonstrate the extent of your financial and non-financial losses, such as medical bills, pay stubs and tax returns, witness statements, expert testimony, and more. This evidence will help your lawyer understand the full scope of your losses when calculating a value for your truck accident case and fighting for a fair settlement.
Reasons to Hire a Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer
After a truck accident, the trucking company and its insurance provider often start investigating immediately. Their goal is to reduce liability and limit payouts. Without experienced legal representation, insurers could pressure you to accept a settlement that doesn’t reflect your true losses and expenses.
The experienced jackknife truck accident lawyers at Wilson Law Group, LLC can help. When you work with us, we can:
- Conduct an independent investigation into the truck crash
- Gather and preserve evidence to support your claim, such as dashcam footage, driver logs, witness statements, and black box data
- Identify every at-fault party
- File your truck accident claim with the relevant insurance companies
- Handle communications with insurers and opposing counsel
- Take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Because truck accidents are more complicated than the average car accident, it’s essential to work with proven personal injury attorneys who understand the state and federal regulations governing the trucking industry and how to use them to prove your claim. At Wilson Law Group, LLC, our legal team has over three decades of combined experience representing injured people. You won’t feel alone with one of our attorneys in your corner.
Contact a Bamberg, SC Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you were hurt in a jackknife truck accident in South Carolina, the truck accident attorneys at Wilson Law Group, LLC, can help you through every step of the legal process. We’ll handle your claim while you recover, so you don’t have to deal with insurers and their defense lawyers on your own. Contact us today for a free consultation.