If you have been involved in a collision involving a semi-truck, it is essential to retain an experienced truck accident attorney, because certain dangers and legal considerations are unique to large commercial trucks. Truck accident cases differ from standard single or multiple motor vehicle accident cases in a number of ways. Victims of trucking accidents should therefore have an attorney who is well versed in the laws pertaining to the trucking industry and broad experience in handling truck accident claims. At the Law Office of McElyea, Santos & Barnard our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience representing victims and their families in a wide range of trucking accident cases, including those involving factors other than strict driver negligence. We have handled many complex semi-truck accident claims, including cases involving rollover and jackknife mishaps.
At the Law Office of McElyea, Santos & Barnard, an Orlando, Central Florida semi-truck accident attorney can help you understand your rights. We will also fight for just compensation on your behalf. Contact our truck accident attorneys to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
While any vehicle can roll over under the right circumstances, those with a higher center of gravity — such as trucks, vans, and SUVs — are much more likely to do so. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle rollovers accounted for just 3 percent of the 11 million traffic accidents reported in 2002. However, rollover accidents accounted for 33 percent of traffic fatalities that year. Typical injuries resulting from rollovers include head injuries, paralysis, spinal cord injury, brain injury, and wrongful death.
Trucking rollover accidents typically occur at highway exit and entrance ramps, when a driver misjudges the turn and enters it going too fast. Other possible factors in a rollover semi-truck accident include:
Driver Factors
Vehicle Factors
Highway Factors
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a rollover semi-truck accident, contact the Law Office of McElyea, Santos & Barnard. Rollover accident victims in the Orlando and Central Florida area can rely on a semi-truck accident attorney at our firm for experienced and knowledgeable legal assistance. We can help you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.
When used to describe a trucking accident, jackknifing refers to the dangerous situation when a semi-tractor trailer skids, causing it to swing out to one side. If a truck jackknifes at virtually any speed, there is a high likelihood of a rollover accident. Generally, jackknifing occurs when the wheels of a truck's cab lock up during wet or slippery conditions. While slippery roads can contribute to jackknifing, often jackknife trucking accidents are the result of negligence by the truck driver.
Jackknife accidents occur when the cab's wheels lock as the truck approaches a slick spot. The trailer continues to roll forward, causing the driver to lose control and the trailer to swing out to one side. During an emergency, a truck driver has three braking options:
At the Law Office of McElyea, Santos & Barnard, our semi-truck accident lawyers understand that the outcome of difficulties on the road depend on the driver's actions. In most cases, locking the steering axles clearly produces the most desirable outcome. Although the driver will not be able to steer the cab, the truck and the trailer will travel in a straight, predictable path. If a truck accident is caused by the driver locking the drive axles, he or she may be guilty of negligence. Contact a semi-truck accident attorney if you have been injured in a jackknife accident.
Trucks have unique speed, turning, visibility, and braking requirements. When drivers fail to observe them, such negligence can cause or contribute to a truck accident. Often, truck drivers use two lanes to make a right turn. In some instances, the fact that a semi-tractor trailer was turned in this manner is sufficient to establish a truck driver’s liability in an accident.
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