Jackknife Accidents Proudly serving you throughout the great state of Louisiana. At Cossé Injury Law, we treat EVERY case like it's our ONLY case.

$5,000,000 $5,000,000
Our client suffered from several injuries after being rear-ended at 50 mph by another driver.
$3,000,000 $3,000,000
Our client experienced a severe car accident due to a defective tire.
$2,600,000 $2,600,000
Our client faced a brain injury and severe spinal injuries after being rear-ended at a high speed while working as a mechanic.

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New Orleans Jackknife Accident Lawyers

Trial-Ready Representation After a New Orleans Jackknife Crash

A jackknife crash occurs when a tractor and trailer fold toward each other, sending the trailer sweeping across traffic lanes. The initial impact can trigger secondary collisions, cause serious injuries and vehicle damage, and leave victims uncertain about how the driver lost control.

Finding the cause may require examining the driver’s decisions, braking and traction, cargo balance, vehicle condition, and roadway conditions. The motor carrier, its insurer, and other involved businesses may each hold information relevant to the claim.

Call Cossé Injury Law at (504) 438-2342 to discuss your jackknife accident during a free case evaluation.

How We Build Claims Against Trucking Insurers

We represent injured people against insurance companies and prepare every case for trial. From the start, we focus on the available records, the parties involved, and the collision’s full effect rather than an insurer’s quick assessment.

We handle personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. You don’t pay us unless you get paid.

What Causes a Tractor-Trailer to Jackknife?

A tractor-trailer can jackknife when the cab and trailer lose alignment during braking or a loss of traction. Different braking forces between the two units may send the trailer swinging outward, particularly when road, vehicle, or cargo conditions reduce control.

Factors that may contribute to a jackknife collision include:

Abrupt braking: Sudden braking can destabilize the combination vehicle.
Excessive speed: A truck traveling too fast for traffic, weather, or road conditions may be harder to control.
Driver conduct: Fatigue, distraction, impairment, or delayed reactions may contribute to a loss of control.
Cargo problems: Uneven or unsecured cargo can affect the truck’s balance and handling.
Mechanical conditions: Worn tires, faulty brakes, and other defects may impair braking and traction.

Federal motor-carrier safety regulations generally require carriers to inspect, repair, and maintain the commercial vehicles under their control. The rules also address periodic inspections and the correction of safety-related defects. Determining whether a violation contributed to a crash requires reviewing the records, vehicle condition, and surrounding facts.

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Injuries & Financial Losses After a Jackknife Crash

The force of a commercial truck collision can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractures, internal injuries, burns, and severe lacerations. Some symptoms aren’t immediately apparent, making prompt medical evaluation and accurate documentation important for treatment and a later injury claim.

Depending on the facts, recoverable losses may include:

Past and future medical expenses
Rehabilitation and ongoing treatment
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain, emotional distress, disability, or disfigurement
Vehicle repair or replacement costs
Wrongful death damages available under Louisiana law

The available records, insurance coverage, allocation of fault, and long-term effects determine which losses may be pursued.

Who May Be Liable & What Evidence Matters

Fault isn’t determined solely by which vehicle made contact first. An investigation may examine why the trailer swung, whether the truck was properly maintained, how the cargo was loaded, and whether another person or business contributed to the loss of control.

Relevant evidence may include:

Crash-scene photographs and vehicle damage
Witness information and the police report
Event data showing the truck’s movement or braking
Driver qualification, hours, and trip records
Inspection, repair, and maintenance records
Cargo-loading and weight documentation
Available roadway or surveillance footage

Depending on the findings, responsible parties may include the truck driver, motor carrier, cargo-loading company, maintenance provider, component manufacturer, or another negligent road user. No party is automatically liable simply because it appears in the truck’s operating chain.

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Louisiana Roots & More Than a Decade of Injury Advocacy

Chip Cossé was born and raised in Louisiana, and we’ve pursued personal injury claims for more than a decade. We’ve handled thousands of cases and recovered more than $10 million for injured clients.

A jackknife claim can involve extensive records, several businesses, and competing explanations for the collision. We treat each case as though it’s our only one, giving the client’s injuries and the available proof individual attention instead of forcing the claim into a standard template.

What to Do After a New Orleans Jackknife Crash

Seek medical care first, report the collision, and follow your treatment instructions. Preserve the materials already in your possession, including photographs, witness details, medical documents, and communications from insurers.

Don’t guess about fault or what caused the trailer to swing. Be cautious before giving a recorded statement or accepting a quick settlement, especially while the nature and extent of your injuries are still developing.

Louisiana generally applies a two-year prescriptive period to delictual actions arising on or after July 1, 2024. A prescriptive period is the state’s deadline for filing a civil claim. The correct deadline may depend on when the injury occurred, the parties involved, and case-specific exceptions, so prompt legal review matters.

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Cossé Cares We take great pride in being a part of the community we serve. We're here for you Louisiana!

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Discuss Your Jackknife Claim With Our Team

A free case evaluation gives you an opportunity to discuss the collision, your injuries, and possible next steps. Our intake team is available by phone 24/7 and responds in less than 24 hours. A family member may also contact us about a loved one’s serious injury or a potential wrongful death claim.

There’s no upfront attorney fee, and we don’t get paid unless you get paid.

Call Cossé Injury Law at (504) 438-2342 to request your free case evaluation.

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139 North Theard St.
Covington, LA 70433
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1515 Poydras St.
Suite 900
New Orleans, LA 70112
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