Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis
A jackknife truck accident occurs when an 18-wheeler’s trailer swings around and towards the cab, a motion that resembles the folding of a knife. Jackknife truck accidents often cause significant destruction. The swinging trailer can collide with nearby vehicles or pedestrians. If you have been injured in a jackknife truck accident caused by a negligent trucker or trucking company in Indianapolis, turn to Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for help demanding the compensation you need for your medical bills and other losses.
Since 1999, the attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless have been fighting for the rights of injury victims in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana. We know that you have many questions after being injured in a serious accident. Our experienced legal team will provide the answers you need to make the best decisions for your case. And, should you decide to work with us, we will not rest in our pursuit of accountability and justice.
Reach out to Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC to discuss your legal options with an Indianapolis jackknife truck accident lawyer. The consultation is free. We look forward to meeting you, hearing your story, and learning more about how we can help.
What To Do Right After an Indianapolis Jackknife Truck Accident?
After a jackknife truck accident, you may take the following steps to protect your rights:
- Contact the police and report the truck accident
- Gather evidence at the accident scene by taking photos or videos with your phone
- Obtain the truck driver’s license, insurance, and employer information
- Ask eyewitnesses for their contact information.
- See a doctor or medical provider immediately after the accident to diagnose injuries.
- Contact your auto insurance provider to report the accident.
- Retain copies of medical bills and receipts for expenses you incurred because of the accident.
- Gather your pay stubs and other records to document your lost income if you miss work due to your injuries.
- Keep a journal to document the pain and difficulties you experience in your daily life.
- Talk to an attorney with Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC as soon as possible so our firm can start investigating and preparing a case to pursue maximum compensation.
Why Choose Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for Your Indianapolis Jackknife Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a jackknife truck accident, you likely have medical bills and other crash-related expenses. You should work with an experienced personal injury attorney who gives you the best chance of recovering the full compensation for your injuries and losses. Injured clients in Indianapolis and across the state of Indiana turn to Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for help after a jackknife truck accident for many reasons.
- Our lawyers have dedicated their careers to fighting for the interests of injured people.
- We strive to treat each client with compassion and respect.
- Our attorneys give clients their direct cell phone numbers to contact them whenever questions or concerns arise.
- Our staff has the resources necessary to hire specialists to assist with complicated truck accident investigations and pursue even the most complicated semi-truck accident cases.
- We tenaciously pursue maximum compensation for our clients and will be prepared to go to court.
- Our devotion to outstanding success for our clients is reflected in the awards our firm has received, including memberships in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the AV Preeminent ® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and the 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo.
What Are Recoverable Damages or Compensation in a Jackknife Truck Accident Claim?
If you were injured in a jackknife truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for losses you incurred because of the crash. You might be able to pursue financial relief for the following:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses, including hospitalization, surgery, physical/occupational/vocational therapy, pain medications, or medical and mobility equipment
- Long-term disability care expenses, including home health care, housekeeping services, or home renovations to install accommodations
- Loss of income if you need to miss time from work due to your injuries and medical treatment
- Loss of future earning potential if you develop a permanent disability that prevents you from working
- Incidental costs, such as travel to doctor’s appointments
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
What Is the Time Limit You Have for Indianapolis Jackknife Truck Accident Lawsuits?
You have limited time under Indiana law to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation from an at-fault party for your injuries. Under Indiana Code §34-11-2-4, an individual has two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against an at-fault party.
If you file suit after the two-year deadline, you risk having your case dismissed and losing the opportunity to pursue compensation in civil court. For this reason, contact an attorney with Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC as soon as possible to review your accident case.
How Is Liability Determined in a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Liability for the injuries you suffered in a jackknife truck accident can be determined by examining evidence from the accident. The types of evidence that an attorney may use to prove liability include the following:
- Police accident reports
- Trucking company incident reports
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Surveillance and traffic camera footage
- Dashcam or in-cab camera footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Trucking company dispatch records
- The truck’s electronic data recorder logs
- The truck driver’s hours-of-service (HOS) log
- The truck driver’s alcohol and drug screen results
- The truck driver’s cell phone records
- The cargo or load manifest
- Vehicle Inspection and maintenance records
- Post-accident vehicle inspection reports
- Accident reconstruction expert reports
How Our Attorneys Can Help You Win Your Indianapolis Jackknife Truck Accident Claim?
After a jackknife truck accident, you need to focus on recovering from your injuries. Let the attorneys of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC handle the details of your case so you can take time to heal. You can count on us to help you by:
- Investigating the crash and seeking evidence to show that the other party’s actions contributed to the jackknife accident
- Identifying all liable parties and potential sources of insurance compensation
- Working with accident reconstruction and engineering experts to build your case
- Calculating your ongoing and future expenses and losses
- Collaborating with medical and vocations experts to understand your injury prognosis and future medical needs
- Keeping regular communication with you throughout your case to update you on developments and progress
- Preparing and filing insurance claims, demand letters, and other paperwork on your behalf
- Negotiating with insurers to reach a fair settlement or taking your case to trial, if necessary, to demand justice
Most Common Causes of Jackknife Accidents in Indianapolis
The most common causes of jackknife truck accidents include the following:
- Speeding or driving too fast for the traffic conditions
- Reckless driving
- Driving too fast for road conditions, such as on road surfaces slickened by snow, ice, or rain
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Slamming on the brakes, especially on slick roads, inclines, or banked curves
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe cargo loads, including unbalanced weight or failure to secure cargo from shifting during travel
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance, especially the maintenance of tires, brakes, and transmission
- Vehicle defects, especially defects in tires and brakes
- Truck driver inexperience
- Making tight turns, especially on narrow local streets
Most Common Injuries in Jackknife Accidents in Indianapolis
Victims of jackknife truck accidents often suffer serious, life-altering injuries that require costly medical treatment. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Lacerations and bruising
- Burns and smoke inhalation injuries from post-accident vehicle fires
- Crush injuries
- Ligament sprains and tears
- Tendon and muscle strains and tears
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash
- Herniated disc injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
- Head and facial injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation or loss of limb
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Experienced Indianapolis Jackknife Truck Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been injured in a jackknife truck accident, you may be left with costly medical bills, lost wages, and other crash-related expenses. You should not have to bear the financial burden of a wreck that was not your fault.
At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, our attorneys can help you seek the justice and compensation you need after an accident. We will investigate the crash, determine who is liable for your injuries, and pursue all possible sources of compensation. Get a free case review with one of our experienced Indianapolis jackknife truck accident attorneys by contacting us online or calling (800) 746-0226.