When a massive commercial truck folds in on itself during a catastrophic jackknife accident, the aftermath can devastate everyone involved. At Fellows Hymowitz Rice, our New City jackknife accident lawyers bring fierce dedication and relentless advocacy to these complex cases.
Our legal team has secured millions in compensation for truck accident victims throughout New York. With prestigious recognition from Super Lawyers and top Martindale-Hubbell ratings, our attorneys combine courtroom power with genuine compassion.
After a jackknife accident changes your life, your choice of legal representation makes all the difference in whether you’ll be adequately compensated. The trucking company will immediately deploy its defense team of lawyers and investigators. You need an equally aggressive team in your corner. Our New City and New York truck accident attorneys work tirelessly to level the playing field, investigating every aspect of your case while you focus on your physical recovery.
A jackknife accident occurs when a large commercial truck's trailer swings outward at an angle to the cab, resembling a folding pocket knife. This dangerous configuration can sweep across multiple lanes of traffic, causing multi-vehicle pileups with devastating consequences.
The physics behind these motor vehicle accidents makes them particularly dangerous. When a tractor-trailer jackknifes, the articulation point between the cab and trailer becomes the pivot for a potentially lethal chain reaction. The cab may continue forward while the trailer swings sideways, sometimes at high speed, creating a massive impact zone that can stretch across highways and trap smaller vehicles in its path.
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1180(e), commercial vehicle operators must reduce speed when approaching curves, intersections, or downgrades — areas where jackknife accidents frequently occur. Additionally, federal regulations in 49 CFR § 392.14 require truck drivers to exercise "extreme caution" in hazardous conditions, including reducing speed or ceasing operations entirely when roads are dangerous.
Most jackknife incidents involve 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, or other heavy commercial vehicles, making them among the most destructive types of truck crashes on New York roadways. The scale disparity between a jackknifed truck and a passenger vehicle virtually guarantees severe outcomes for the smaller vehicle's occupants.
Jackknife accidents rarely happen without some form of negligence or failure. When our New York State car accident lawyers investigate these cases, we frequently identify several common contributing factors:
When we strategize your truck accident case, identifying these causative factors helps establish liability against the appropriate parties, whether that's the truck driver, trucking company, maintenance provider, or other responsible entities.
The violence of jackknife accidents frequently results in catastrophic outcomes for victims. The sheer mass and momentum of a commercial truck create forces that the human body simply cannot withstand without serious consequences.
Frequently recorded jackknife truck accident injuries include:
What makes jackknife accident injuries particularly challenging is their tendency to involve multiple body systems simultaneously. A victim might not only face physical recovery but also cognitive rehabilitation, psychological treatment, and adaptive living adjustments. The medical bills mount quickly, often reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars for the most serious cases.
Our New City jackknife accident lawyers work closely with medical specialists to document the full scope of your injuries and their long-term implications, ensuring your compensation claim accurately reflects current and future needs.
Strong cases begin with early action. Contact us for a no-cost evaluation of your situation and learn how our strategic approach can strengthen your position for maximum recovery!
Pursuing compensation after a jackknife accident involves navigating complex state and federal regulations governing commercial trucking while simultaneously building a compelling case for damages. Our NYC truck accident lawyers approach these cases strategically, knowing that thorough preparation makes the difference in maximizing your recovery.
Timing is crucial in jackknife accident cases. Under New York law, you generally have:
Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to recovery, regardless of how strong your case might be. The complexity of truck accident cases makes early legal intervention particularly important — evidence disappears, witnesses' memories fade, and trucking companies may begin defensive maneuvers immediately.
Commercial trucking operates under specific Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations that can significantly impact your case. Violations of these regulations — such as exceeding hours-of-driving limits or skipping required maintenance — can establish negligence per se, strengthening your position during settlement negotiations or at trial.
Our New York truck accident lawyers meticulously analyze logbooks, electronic control module data, maintenance records, and other federally mandated documentation to identify regulatory violations that support your truck accident claim.
These represent the quantifiable financial losses resulting from your accident:
These address the human cost of your injuries:
In cases involving egregious negligence or intentional misconduct, courts may award additional punitive damages to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior.
Jackknife accident cases often involve multiple responsible parties, each potentially carrying separate insurance coverage that may apply to your injuries. Our thorough investigation identifies all possible avenues for compensation.
Common liable parties include:
The investigation might reveal that multiple parties share liability, which can actually strengthen your position for recovery. Our New City jackknife accident lawyers leave no stone unturned when identifying all potentially responsible parties and their corresponding insurance coverage.
At Fellows Hymowitz Rice, we recognize that jackknife truck accident cases demand a different caliber of legal representation than routine traffic incidents. Our approach combines sophisticated investigative techniques, in-depth knowledge of commercial trucking operations, and a relentless commitment to client advocacy.
Our team's approach includes:
We deploy investigators to photograph evidence, measure skid marks, and record physical conditions before they change.
We collaborate with specialized engineers to create detailed models showing exactly how the jackknife occurred.
We obtain and analyze electronic control module data recording speed, braking patterns, and other critical pre-crash information.
We examine the truck driver's history, training, previous incidents, and compliance with regulations.
We question all involved parties under oath to lock in testimony and expose inconsistencies.
We work with medical specialists, economists, and life-care planners to fully quantify your losses.
We fight to obtain internal company records, maintenance logs, and other documents trucking companies may resist producing.
We leverage our case preparation to achieve favorable settlements without unnecessary delays.
We prepare every case as if it will proceed to trial, strengthening our negotiating position and ensuring we're ready if litigation becomes necessary.
Throughout this process, you receive personalized attention from attorneys who genuinely care about your well-being and recovery. We handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing, with regular updates and straightforward answers to your questions.
Our contingency fee structure means you pay nothing upfront — we only collect a fee when we secure compensation on your behalf. This approach aligns our interests with yours and provides access to top-tier legal representation regardless of your financial situation after a serious truck accident.
Widely regarded as one of the region’s most successful plaintiff’s attorneys, Rob Fellows is the firm’s managing partner.
Steve Hymowitz is experienced in serving people who need help, but who do not have the resources to fight the big insurance companies on their own.
Regarded as one of the most passionate trial attorneys to litigate complex high-exposure personal injury matters in the tri-state area, Matthew “Matt” Rice possesses an unequaled fire and drive to succeed for his clients.
Joanne concentrates her practice on negligence, personal injuries, construction accidents, and medical malpractice law.
Margaret is a seasoned negotiator, expert in civil dispute resolution, with extensive experience handling homicide cases.
Your free case evaluation is the first step toward the resolution and recovery you deserve. Contact us today!
The Fellows Hymowitz Rice legal team assists jackknife accident victims throughout New York State. While our primary office sits in Rockland County, our reach extends far beyond. We regularly handle serious truck accident cases from the busy streets of New York City to the highways cutting through Westchester, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Nassau, Suffolk, and Richmond counties.
Call us today or complete this form to initiate your free case review. Our attorneys will analyze your situation thoroughly and provide straightforward guidance on your best options moving forward.
