Over $50M Recovered in the Past Seven Years
At the Tenge Law Firm LLC, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for our clients as soon as possible. Each case and each client is different, so we work directly with clients to meet their needs for medical care and personal situations. We have enjoyed great success, with exceedingly high client satisfaction, using this approach.
-
$3,250,000 Rollover auto accident involving defective roof and serious injuries
-
$1,475,000 Auto accident with head, neck and back injuries
-
$950,000 Car accident with brain injury and orthopedic injuries
-
$750,000 Policy Limits – Low speed auto accident leading to minor stroke
-
$533,000 Trial Verdict - Client hit by airborne patio umbrella with facial scar and concussion.
-
$450,000 Pedestrian hit by car
-
$300,000 Four-car accident resulting in vertebral fracture and facial injuries
-
$200,000 Auto accident with facial injuries
-
$120,000 Slip-and-fall at fast food restaurant
How Jackknife Accidents Occur
18-wheelers are prone to jackknifing because of their pivot points. Trucks pull large trailers via a hitch which allows the trailer to make sharp turns by moving independently from the truck’s cab. However, when the truck or trailer loses traction, the trailer can swing out in one direction while the cab goes in a different direction. This is referred to as jackknifing, which often results in large-scale pileup accidents. In many cases, a truck overturns when it jackknifes, skidding across lanes or blocking oncoming traffic.
Jackknifing often occurs when drivers lose control of the truck, which can be the result of several factors, including:
- Faulty brakes
- Taking turns too fast
- Downshifting or accelerating on a turn
- Traveling too fast for traffic or weather conditions
- Improperly loaded, unbalanced trailers
- Inexperienced truck drivers who lack proper training
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
While the majority of jackknife accidents are the result of driver negligence, it is important to review all possible liable parties when filing a claim.
Hundreds of 5-star Reviews. Exceptional Results
-
"They were extremely responsive and answered my questions very well."
Paige and Nina were a delight to work with. They were extremely responsive and answered my questions very well. They made me feel like I was in good hands and could trust them!
- Rachel V. -
"Definitely made it a stress-free experience"
Brenda was my attorney. She was amazing, helped me through the whole process. Definitely made it a stress-free experience, especially after going through something so traumatic! Was extremely attentive and always kept me updated on how my case was going! I would 1000% recommend them to everyone and anyone!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
- Zitlaly O. -
"They treated me like family"
Todd, Liz and Nina were amazing. They handled my case very professionally. I recommend this law firm to anyone looking for a great firm. They treated me like family
- Jenn K. -
"Would highly recommend to anyone!!"
Tenge Law Firm helped me out when I was in a accident that involved my whole family. They were great and fast with the entire process, and were awesome at keeping me updated throughout the entire process. Would highly recommend to anyone!!
- Zack K. -
"Everyone is extremely nice & very efficient"
I highly recommend this law firm! They take care of everything in a timely manner & alleviate any harassment while you recover from injuries. Everyone is extremely nice & very efficient...if you need an attorney, Tenge Law is the place to go!
- Betty C.
Liability in Truck Accidents
In the chaos after a jackknife accident, you may be left very confused about what happened and who is at fault. However, depending on the factors that influenced the collision, the most common liable parties can include the:
- Truck driver: Maintaining control of the truck is the driver’s responsibility, and any act of negligence on the driver’s part can make them liable for your injuries.
- Trucking company: Trucking companies are required to abide by all state and federal regulations, including rules regarding weight limits, truck maintenance, and driver’s hours of service. If the company pushed a driver to speed or drive while fatigued, that would constitute negligence and make it responsible in an accident.
- Truck maintenance company: Because of the large amount of wear and tear a truck can sustain during deliveries, they require constant maintenance from reliable mechanics. When these repair crews miss an obvious maintenance issue, such as faulty brakes or a damaged suspension, it could contribute to a jackknifing accident.
- Loader or shipper of the cargo: Properly securing cargo is often the responsibility of the distribution center. If the workers there overloaded the trailer, it could limit the driver’s ability to maintain control and cause the truck to jackknife.
- Parts manufacturer: Faulty brakes, damaged hitches, and other maintenance issues can be the result of a negligent auto parts manufacturer. If the cause of the jackknifing accident was one of these defective components, then the manufacturer could be found liable in a product liability claim.
- Another driver: In some cases, the truck driver is not at fault, and the cause of the accident was actually another driver who collided with the tractor-trailer.
-
Reviews
When our clients are happy, they say so. Whether we’re being described for how well we communicate, our responsiveness, or the quality of our service, we’re consistently rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by those we represent.
-
Ratings
As an industry leader in the field of personal injury, we're proud to maintain a superb 10.0 out of 10.0 rating on AVVO.com, have a preeminent AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and have recently been awarded Client Champion Platinum status from Lawyers.com.
-
Results
In the last ten years, we've recovered $50 million on behalf of our clients. Our motto is simple - You do what you need to do physically recover, and we'll handle the rest.
Recovering After a Jackknife Accident
Truck jackknifes can cause serious or catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or amputations. These injuries can take a significant amount of time to recover from, often involving extensive medical bills. In addition to receiving treatment, you will also have to take time off work, which will only add to your expenses.
However, once you have identified the cause of the accident and responsible party, you may be able to pursue compensation from their liability policy for the costs you have suffered. These can include:
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
In addition to determining the party responsible for the accident and what damage you wish to recover, you will also need to collect evidence of negligence in order to have a viable claim and receive compensation from any available liability policies.
Evidence in Jackknife Accidents
Because of how complicated jackknife accidents are, you will need to extensively review all available evidence to determine not only if negligence occurred, but how it occurred. When evaluating the aftermath of a jackknife accident, the key pieces of evidence that can help your case include:
- Truck black box data
- Truck driver logs
- Police report
- Driving records
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Photos of your injuries
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Truck inspection reports
- Medical bills for your injuries
Not all of this evidence is readily available after a collision, and you may need a skilled and knowledgeable attorney to subpoena records that would otherwise be missed.
At the Tenge Law Firm LLC, we feel a profound responsibility to ensure our client’s physical and emotional well being during one of the worst times of their life. We've put together a page of resources to help you gain legal expertise and education about the law.
Securing Legal Representation
Truck accidents are complex cases in general, involving multiple potentially liable parties and strict state and federal regulations, and jackknife accidents are no less different. Because of how devastating these accidents are, insurance companies are often extremely resistant to providing proper compensation. However, with an experienced Fort Collins truck accident attorney on your side, you may be able to build a strong case for damages.
If you have been seriously injured in a truck jackknife crash, it is in your best interest to contact the Tenge Law Firm, LLC. We have over 30 years of experience and can handle every aspect of your case, from securing invaluable evidence to connecting you with the best medical experts available. When we represent you in a truck accident claim, we take on the majority of your legal burdens, allowing you to focus on recovering.
Call us at (970) 510-8077 to schedule a free consultation.
