Were you injured in a jackknife collision in Tacoma, Washington? You may be entitled to compensation, and Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer is here to help. With over 30 years of experience and more than $1 billion recovered for injured clients, our Tacoma personal injury attorneys have a proven track record of results.
Jackknife accidents often involve large commercial trucks and cause devastating, multi-vehicle collisions. These incidents are both frightening and life-changing. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash involving a jackknifed semi-truck, don’t face the legal system alone.
Contact our Tacoma jackknife accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation, or call us at (253) 264-0225. You won’t pay us unless we win your case.
How Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After a Jackknife Accident in Tacoma, WA
Jackknife accidents can lead to physical trauma, emotional stress, and financial uncertainty. If you’re struggling to recover while bills pile up, you deserve a legal team that will take the pressure off you and go after the full compensation you’re owed.
When you hire Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer, we move quickly and strategically to build a strong claim.
Our team will:
- Investigate the cause of the crash using expert resources
- Secure black box data, dashcam footage, and trucking logs
- Interview eyewitnesses and first responders
- Consult with accident reconstruction specialists
- Pursue a fair settlement through negotiation or trial
We know how trucking companies operate. Their goal is to minimize their liability and protect their bottom line. They may try to blame you or rush you into a lowball settlement. Let our Tacoma truck accident lawyers handle the insurers and defense attorneys while you focus on recovery.
What Is a Jackknife Accident?
A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer of a semi-truck swings out and folds toward the cab, forming an L or V shape. This can happen when the truck loses traction, usually during hard braking or sudden maneuvers.
Jackknifing puts other road users in immediate danger. The swinging trailer can sweep across multiple lanes of traffic, striking vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians with devastating force. The cab and trailer may also collide with each other or cause a rollover.
Common Causes of Jackknife Accidents in Tacoma
Jackknife accidents often stem from preventable mistakes or negligence.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Speeding or braking too suddenly
- Following too closely or tailgating
- Driving with an empty trailer, which reduces stability
- Improperly loaded or imbalanced cargo
- Slippery roads due to rain, ice, or snow
- Driver fatigue or distraction
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Insufficient driver training
When a trucking company fails to properly train its drivers or maintain its fleet, it puts everyone on the road at risk. We work to hold them accountable.
Why Jackknife Accidents Are So Dangerous
Unlike most crashes, jackknife accidents often involve a loss of control before the collision even begins. When the trailer swings, it acts like a wrecking ball, sweeping across lanes and demolishing everything in its path.
Because trucks are so heavy and long, even low-speed jackknifing can cause catastrophic injuries. Nearby vehicles may be struck, dragged, or crushed between the cab and trailer. In multi-lane traffic, a jackknifed truck may block the roadway entirely, triggering chain-reaction crashes and pileups.
Severe Injuries Often Caused by Jackknife Crashes
Due to the violent and unpredictable nature of jackknife accidents, victims often suffer serious, long-lasting injuries.
Common injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Crushed limbs or amputations
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones and fractures
- Severe burns from vehicle fires
- Whiplash and neck trauma
- Emotional trauma and PTSD
These injuries may require extensive treatment, surgery, long-term rehabilitation, and time away from work. Our goal is to recover the full amount you’re owed to help with current and future expenses.
Who May Be Liable in a Jackknife Accident?
Several parties may bear legal responsibility depending on the facts of the case:
- The truck driver, if they were speeding, distracted, or improperly braking
- The trucking company, for hiring unqualified drivers or failing to maintain the vehicle
- A third-party maintenance provider, if poor repairs contributed to the crash
- The company that loaded the cargo, if shifting weight played a role
- A parts manufacturer, if faulty brakes or tires failed
Our legal team will trace the cause of the accident and identify every party that may owe you damages.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
In a successful jackknife truck accident case, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills and ongoing treatment
- Lost income and future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may be able to pursue compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and the financial support the victim would have provided.
Don’t Wait to Take Legal Action
In Washington, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically three years from the date of the accident. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to recover compensation. Trucking companies and their insurers begin building their defense immediately. You should too.
Call a Tacoma Jackknife Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a jackknife accident in Tacoma, call Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer today. These crashes can turn lives upside down, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our team is ready to fight for you. Call now to schedule a free consultation with a Tacoma jackknife accident lawyer.