About Us
- The PGH Way
  
  The PGH Way is simple: We counsel, we advocate, we litigate.
  
  With over 100 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Prince Glover Hayes have the reputation of being knowledgeable, hard- working courtroom lawyers who are devoted to their clients.
  Learn More
- Our Team
- FAQ
  
  Frequently Asked Questions
  
  We thought it would be helpful to answer some of the questions we often receive. If you have a question about a specific case, be sure to use our chat feature to tell us your story.
  Learn More
- Verdicts and Settlements
  
  Get to Know Us
  
  Prince Glover Hayes was established in 1979 by Senior Partner Robert F. Prince in the Prince-Searcy Building in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We are a civil litigation firm concentrating in personal injury, environmental law, and insurance fraud. Under the leadership of its Senior Partner, the firm has earned some of the largest jury verdicts ever awarded in the state of Alabama.
  Learn More
- Client Testimonials
  
  “If anyone ever needed an attorney and a friend in the case of an accident, I would deeply recommend Prince Glover Hayes Law Firm.” Pat McGhee, former client
  
  PGH serves clients throughout Alabama and is dedicated to providing first-rate civil litigation in the area of personal injury, environmental law and insurance fraud. Located in the heart of Tuscaloosa our law firm is close to the University of Alabama and is easily accessible. Here is what some of our clients have said.
  Learn More
Blog
Giving Back
Our Areas of Practice
- Car Accident
  
  HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED DUE TO AN AUTO ACCIDENT?
  
  Our Tuscaloosa personal injury law firm has the resources to hire the experts necessary to get to the bottom of exactly how collisions take place. Determining the cause of collisions requires bringing in professionals to investigate the accident, talk to witnesses, inspect the cars and trucks involved, and examine the scene to gather evidence.
  Learn More
- Insurance Fraud
  
  HAVE YOU BEEN A VICTIM OF INSURANCE FRAUD?
  
  Prince Glover Hayes has carved a special niche in the complex area of Insurance Fraud and Bad Faith and is a West Alabama leader in representing clients who are victims of unfair settlements or wrongfully denied claims. We never represent insurance companies and only represent individuals who have been treated unfairly by their insurance carriers.
  Learn More
- Defective Products
  
  HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED DUE TO A DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED OR MANUFACTURED PRODUCT? WERE YOU INJURED BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE INSTRUCTIONS OR WARNINGS REGARDING THE USE OF A PRODUCT?
  
  The attorneys at PGH have handled a wide variety of lawsuits involving defective products.
  Learn More
- Personal Injury
  
  HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED BY SOMEONE ELSE’S ACTIONS?
  
  While car collisions are the most common type of personal injury case, we also handle other types of personal injury including slip-and-fall, injuries at home and work, premises liability, product liability and general negligence cases.
  Learn More
- Mass Torts
  
  WHAT IS A MASS TORT?
  
  Mass torts are civil actions that have many plaintiffs involved against one or several defendant corporations. If a toxic chemical is released and an entire neighborhood is impacted, each neighbor may have different injuries (one neighbor may have experienced skin rashes and another may have experienced respiratory problems). Since they weren’t injured in the same way, it is difficult to form one class for a class action suit. These types of situations are handled as mass tort actions.
  Learn More
- Truck Wrecks
- Environmental
  
  HAVE YOU BEEN EXPOSED TO A TOXIC SUBSTANCE?
  
  Through successful prosecution, Prince Glover Hayes has gained a national reputation for prevailing in toxic tort and environmental litigation cases. We understand the immense challenge of protecting families and land from environmental abuse and we take that challenge seriously. Toxic tort and environmental litigation is an extremely complex area of law, often requiring scientific experts, such as toxicologists and certified industrial hygienists to provide analysis and evaluation. Our years of experience in this area have assisted us in establishing teams of qualified experts, fundamental not only in proving environmental negligence and abuse, but also in serving our commitment to justice. By securing significant verdicts and settlements against large corporations involved in toxic abuse, we create a safer world.
  Learn More
- Wrongful Death
  
  HAVE YOU LOST A LOVED ONE BECAUSE OF SOMEONE ELSE’S ACTIONS?
  
  When someone is killed as a result of another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, his or her family is confronted with a devastating loss. Oftentimes, this loss is accompanied by financial stress, especially when the deceased was the key income provider. The Alabama Wrongful Death Statute is unique in that any money damages awarded are entirely punitive (designed to punish the wrongdoer), rather than compensatory. However, any recovery by the family (or other designated personal representative) can, of course, be used to compensate for lost income, lost future earnings and to offset expenses. On an emotional level, a wrongful death lawsuit brings not only justice, but also closure because the family knows steps have been taken to prevent others from experiencing a similar fate at the hands of those responsible.
  Learn More
Referring Attorneys
- Referral Advantage
  
  We are humbled by the fact that a very large number of our cases are referred to us by past or current clients and by other attorneys across Alabama and the Southeast. Learn what you can expect by referring to us.
  
  Learn More
- Testimonials from Attorneys
  
  “The Prince Glover Hayes law firm is probably the most respected, efficient, dedicated and caring law firm that I have been associated with. The staff is always professional and the attorneys do everything possible to ensure success for their clients.” Horace Kynard, Esquire
  
  Learn More
Contact Us

Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyers in Tuscaloosa

A jackknife truck accident is a dangerous situation where a large truck and its trailer become locked in a skid, and the trailer swings out sideways from the truck, creating a 90-degree angle. Unfortunately, these types of accidents leave a car driver practically no way to avoid the impending crash. As the truck trailer moves out from behind, a blockade is created across the road that gives drivers little choice.

Jackknife truck accidents typically lead to unfortunate injuries to all parties involved. Big trucks can weigh anywhere from a couple of tons to over 75,000 pounds. Because these trucks are so much heavier than other passenger vehicles, people are more likely to become permanently disabled. Additionally, fatality rates in jackknife accidents are much higher than other motor vehicle accidents.

If you have been injured in this type of accident, it's important to get in touch with jackknife truck accident attorneys that can help you. Liability can be extremely complicated in these situations, and it's critical to have someone helping you investigate the circumstances.

Common Injuries From Jackknife Truck Accidents

When a car has been trapped during a jackknife accident, the driver and passengers can all sustain catastrophic and life-changing injuries. Here is a list of some of the most common injuries that result from jackknife accidents.

Broken ribs
Fatalities of the driver and/or passengers
Brain damage
Severe burns and scarring
Paralysis or permanent disabilities
Broken or fractured bones
Injuries to the spinal cord
Internal bleeding
Amputated limbs
Whiplash
Skull fractures
Crushed organs or limbs

Driving Practices to Avoid Jackknife Truck Accidents

All drivers on the road need to follow safe driving practices to avoid these dangerous accidents. Truck drivers might be able to prevent jackknife accidents by keeping a reasonable distance away from other vehicles and adjust that distance based on weather conditions. Even if the truck does jackknife, enough distance can allow other vehicles to stop safely without crashing into the truck.

Other vehicles should always put enough distance between the truck and themselves so that they can veer off the road if necessary. Even in two lanes of traffic, it's important to leave enough room on all sides of the truck for them to turn when necessary. Keep in mind that truck drivers may not be able to see you if you are driving in their blind spot. It's important to take precautionary driving measures to prevent that kind of situation.

Even while employing these safety methods, if a truck does jackknife in front of you, the crash may be unavoidable. You must contact experienced jackknife truck accident attorneys promptly so they can begin an investigation. This can help shed light on where the liabilities lie.

For example, there may have been something the truck driver could have done to avoid the accident entirely. If the driver was not properly trained to operate the truck, that could be another issue that contributed to the accident. Unfortunately, drugs or alcohol may have even played a part in the accident.

Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents

Typically these accidents are the direct result of an error on the part of the truck driver. This can occur when the truck driver is following someone too closely and tries to avoid a collision with the person in front of them. They also may have been traveling too fast for the road conditions and should have exercised better care. Additionally, not keeping road conditions in mind and pressing the brakes too hard on a slick or wet road can also cause a trailer to lose traction and swing into the road.

A jackknife truck accident may also be the result of poorly maintained brakes. It's the responsibility of every truck driver or owner to perform routine inspections that ensure the functionality of their brakes. Without proper maintenance, the brakes deteriorate over time. When this happens, greater distances are needed to stop the moving truck safely.

Filing a Lawsuit in Alabama with Jackknife Truck Accident Attorneys

When you are ready to file a lawsuit to receive compensation for your injuries and damages, it's important to talk with an attorney who knows the specific laws that apply to your case. Laws vary from state to state, and the last thing you should have to worry about is deciphering complicated laws when you should be healing. Seeking advice from an experienced lawyer can help you understand what your options for compensation are and who is liable for the damages.

Additionally, it's important to talk with a lawyer who is experienced in dealing with truck companies and insurance companies. Both of these entities may try to evade responsibility for your injuries or try to offer you a settlement that is much too low. Contact Prince Glover Hayes for further information or to schedule a consultation. We have the experience to help you with your personal injury lawsuit.

Image Credits:
Shutterstock/sumroeng