Kansas City Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer

When a massive commercial truck folds in half like a closing pocket knife and spins out of control on I-70 or I-435, a serious accident can occur. If you or someone you love has been seriously hurt in a jackknife crash with a truck, you need an experienced advocate on your side who will fight for you.

At DM Injury Law, we've secured over $1 billion for our clients. Accidents involving big trucks are often more catastrophic and harder to navigate. Since they are commercial vehicles, there are additional laws that must be considered and more insurance policies at play.

Our jackknife truck accident lawyer in Kansas City can help you build a strong case and fight for the compensation you need to pay off your medical bills and other financial losses. We offer FREE consultations, and YOU PAY NOTHING unless we win your case.

DM Injury Law is Kansas City's premier truck accident law firm. We can help you with any truck accident legal issue you're facing, including:

• Truck accidents in Kansas City
• Semi-truck accidents in Kansas City
• 18-wheeler accidents in Kansas City
• Delivery truck accidents in Kansas City
• Underride truck accidents in Kansas City
• Fatal truck accidents in Kansas City
• Trucking company negligence in Kansas City

Why Choose DM Injury Law for Your Kansas City Jackknife Truck Accident Claim?

When you're dealing with the aftermath of a traumatizing accident, you need a legal team that has the resources you need to secure the maximum settlement possible. Here is why people frequently hire DM Injury Law:

• Proven Results: We’ve recovered over $1 billion for accident victims, helping families cover medical bills, regain financial stability, and rebuild their lives.  
• Experienced Team: Our attorneys and support staff include investigators, case managers, and medical records specialists. We’re on your side throughout this whole process.  
• We Handle Everything: From day one, we take over. We communicate with insurance companies, gather evidence, manage paperwork, and build your case. You focus on healing, and we’ll handle the rest.  
• No Upfront Costs: We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you don’t pay unless we win. You owe us NOTHING out of pocket; our fee comes from the settlement.

Our Proven Results

Our team has helped families recover millions of dollars after devastating truck crashes, including:

• $11 Million: Our client's son was killed in a company truck when the other driver fell asleep at the wheel.
• $2.2 Million: We helped a family receive compensation after a truck crossed over the divider line and hit our clients' car.
• $1.8 Million: A truck driver crossed the divider line and caused our client to pass away from his injuries.

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What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?

A jackknife accident happens when a truck's trailer swings out to the side and forms a "V" shape with the cab, like a folding pocket knife. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a jackknifed truck in KCMO occurs when the trailers rotate on their vertical axes with respect to the tractor in an uncontrolled fashion. This causes the truck to skid sideways across lanes, blocking traffic and often causing multi-vehicle pileups.

These crashes are extremely dangerous. Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that jackknife crashes result from wheel lockup of the tractor or trailer, causing the tractor and trailer to skid into a folded position.

Why Jackknife Accidents Happen

Jackknife crashes don't just happen by accident. They are often caused by driver error, poor maintenance, or unsafe driving conditions. Common causes of these crashes our jackknife accident attorneys in Kansas City have handled include:

1. Braking Too Hard on Slippery Roads

When a truck driver slams on the brakes, especially on wet, icy, or oily pavement, the wheels will often lock up. Once the trailer's wheels lock, the back end loses traction and swings forward.

2. Speeding or Driving Too Fast for Conditions

Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. At high speeds, they take much longer to stop. If a driver is going too fast and needs to brake suddenly, the trailer can swing out.

3. Driver Fatigue

Federal rules from the FMCSA limit truck drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 hours off duty. But some trucking companies ignore these laws and push drivers to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines. Tired drivers have slower reaction times and make dangerous mistakes.

4. Improper Load Balance

If cargo isn't loaded correctly or the truck is overloaded, the weight can shift during hard braking or sharp turns. This imbalance can cause the trailer to swing out and jackknife.

5. Brake Failure or Mechanical Problems

Worn-out brakes, bad tires, or faulty parts can make it impossible for a driver to stop safely. If the truck or trailer isn't maintained properly, a jackknife crash becomes much more likely.

6. Poor Training

Not all truck drivers receive proper training on how to handle a large vehicle in dangerous conditions. An inexperienced driver may panic and make the wrong move, causing the truck to jackknife.

No matter what caused your jackknife truck crash in Kansas City, DM Injury Law is here to help you seek the money you need to pay for your medical bills and other financial losses this accident caused you.

Who Is Responsible for a Jackknife Crash?

Figuring out who is at fault in a jackknife accident takes a thorough investigation. Our truck jackknife accident lawyers in Kansas City will look at every detail to hold the right parties accountable. Liable parties may include:

• The Truck Driver: If the driver was speeding, driving recklessly, or too tired to drive safely.
• The Trucking Company: If they failed to maintain the truck, pushed the driver to break federal safety rules, or hired an unqualified driver.
• The Cargo Loader: If the cargo was not secured or balanced properly.
• The Truck or Parts Manufacturer: If faulty brakes, tires, or other defective parts caused the crash.
• A Maintenance Company: If they failed to fix known problems with the truck.
• Government Entities: In cases of poor road conditions, missing signs, or broken traffic signals.

What to Do After a Jackknife Accident

If you've been involved in a jackknife crash, take these steps to protect yourself and your claim:

1. Get to Safety: If you can move your vehicle out of traffic, do so. Turn on your hazard lights.
2. Call 911: Report the crash and any injuries immediately. Having a police report can be valuable evidence in your claim.
3. See a Doctor: Even if you feel fine, get checked out. Some injuries don't show up right away.
4. Take Photos: If it's safe, take pictures of the damage, the truck, your injuries, and the accident scene.
5. Get Information: Write down the truck driver's name, the trucking company's information, and contact details for any witnesses.
6. Don't Talk to the Insurance Company: They may try to get you to say something that hurts your truck accident claim. Let us handle all communication.
7. Call DM Injury Law: The sooner we start investigating, the stronger your case will be.

How We Can Help You

At DM Injury Law, our team of attorneys and support staff of investigators, case managers, and other legal professionals will help you with every aspect of your case. We'll work tirelessly on your claim so you can focus on healing.

Our team will:

• Launch an immediate investigation to preserve evidence before it disappears.
• Review the truck's "black box" data, driver logs, and maintenance records.
• Work with accident reconstruction experts to prove exactly what happened.
• Handle all communication with the trucking company and their insurers.
• Fight to get you full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

How Long Do I Have to File a Jackknife Truck Accident Claim in Kansas City?

In Missouri, you have 5 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to RSMo § 516.120. In Kansas, the deadline is 2 years under K.S.A. § 60-513.

While this may seem like a long time, it's better to file your claim as early as possible. Evidence can disappear, and witnesses' memories fade. If you don't file before the deadline, you will not be able to secure compensation for your injuries.

Comparative Fault in Missouri and Kansas

What if the insurance company tries to blame you for the crash?

In Missouri, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Missouri follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages.

In Kansas, you can recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident, according to K.S.A. § 60-258a. Your award will also be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Insurance companies don't care about your injuries or the medical bills burdening you. The only thing they care about is maintaining a profit. Our lawyers will fight to make sure you are not unfairly blamed for a crash that wasn't your fault.

Contact DM Injury Law Today for a Free Consultation

Being injured in a jackknife accident with a truck is traumatic. With medical bills piling up and lost wages from time off work, you need an experienced law firm to help secure the compensation you deserve.

DM Injury Law is here to listen to your story and fight for a fair truck accident settlement. Contact us today for a FREE consultation. Remember, YOU DON'T PAY unless we win your case.