If you were hit when a tractor-trailer folded into a “V” shape, you’ve experienced a jackknife accident. These accidents are preventable, and DeMayo Law Group, PLLC, can help you get compensation with the help of our jackknife truck accident lawyers in Harrisburg.
We’ve won over one billion dollars in compensation for clients. Contact our Harrisburg truck accident lawyers now for a free consultation to learn how we can help you
Understanding Jackknife Truck Accidents
A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out from behind the cab, forming a sharp angle. These events often start with loss of traction or braking issues, which can quickly escalate into multi-vehicle collisions.
While every case is different, several recurring factors tend to contribute to jackknife crashes:
- Hard or improper braking at highway speeds
- Slippery road conditions from rain, snow, or ice
- Downhill grades combined with heavy or unbalanced loads
- Speeding or following too closely in traffic
- Brake system defects or poor maintenance
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
When a trailer swings, it can sweep across lanes and strike multiple vehicles. That often leads to disputed liability, with several companies and insurers involved. Our personal injury lawyers in Harrisburg can sort out the mess and help you get what you’re owed.
For a free legal consultation with a jackknife accident lawyer serving Harrisburg, call (877) 333-1000
What To Do After A Jackknife Truck Crash In Harrisburg
Your actions after a crash can protect both your health and your legal rights. If possible, try to follow these steps:
- Get medical care right away and follow through with treatment.
- Photograph vehicles, vehicle markings, DOT numbers, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Collect contact details for witnesses and responding officers.
- Avoid discussing fault at the scene or on social media.
- Report the crash to your insurer, but be brief and factual.
- Contact our Harrisburg jackknife truck accident attorney before speaking with the trucking company’s insurer.
If the trucking company or its insurer contacts you quickly, be cautious. Early statements or blanket authorizations can affect your claim. We can deal with adjusters and preserve the evidence needed to support your case.
Harrisburg Jackknife Accident Lawyer Near Me (877) 333-1000
Pennsylvania Laws That Affect Harrisburg Jackknife Truck Claims
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. You can recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault, and your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover.
Commercial trucking cases also involve federal motor carrier safety rules. Hours-of-service limits, maintenance requirements, and load securement standards can all play a role. When a carrier violates safety rules, it may support liability against the company in addition to the driver.
Depending on the facts, other parties—such as a shipper, broker, maintenance contractor, or parts manufacturer—may share responsibility.
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Building A Fault Case After A Harrisburg Jackknife Crash
Proving fault can require more than a police report. Jackknife collisions can depend on a detailed review of performance data, maintenance records, and the trucking company’s safety practices. We work to identify the root cause and the chain of decisions that led to the loss of control.
We also look for third-party contributions, such as improper loading or brake defects. In many cases, the driver’s conduct interacts with mechanical or environmental factors. By piecing together physical evidence and digital data, we build a clearer picture of what happened on the road.
Common Evidence Our Team Looks For In Harrisburg
We often collect electronic control module (ECM) data, dash camera footage, driver logs, bills of lading, dispatch records, and maintenance files. Photos of the scene, skid and yaw marks, crush patterns, and damage points help accident reconstruction. Weather and road condition data, 911 audio, and nearby surveillance footage can also support your case.
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Damages Available After A Jackknife Truck Accident In Harrisburg
A serious jackknife crash can affect every part of your life. In Pennsylvania, you may pursue compensation for medical bills, future treatment, and rehabilitation. If you miss work, you can claim lost income and diminished earning capacity. Vehicle repair or total loss value may be included, along with rental and transportation expenses related to the crash.
You may also seek non-economic damages, such as physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and scarring or disfigurement. In wrongful death cases, families may recover funeral costs and related losses, and a survival action may cover the decedent’s damages prior to passing.
How Our Harrisburg Jackknife Truck Accident Attorneys Support You
From the first meeting, we focus on clarity and strategy. We explain deadlines, preserve time-sensitive evidence, and coordinate with your medical providers. Our team requests and reviews ECM data, driver qualification files, and maintenance records, and we work with qualified experts when the case calls for it.
We handle communications with the trucking company and its insurers, prepare settlement demands backed by medical and economic documentation, and discuss settlement ranges with you in plain terms. If litigation becomes necessary, we file suit in the appropriate court, conduct depositions, and present your case for trial.
We work on a contingency fee, which means legal fees are collected only if we recover compensation for you. During a free consultation, we can discuss our fee structure, case milestones, and what to expect over the coming weeks and months.
Contact Our Truck Jackknife Accident Lawyer in Harrisburg
Ready to talk about your situation? Reach out to our team to schedule a free consultation. Our Harrisburg jackknife truck accident lawyers can review what happened, answer your questions, and start building your claim to compensation.
Call or text (877) 333-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
