There are many benefits and perks to owning a large truck or Jeep. It provides a great deal more visibility than a smaller vehicle. In most accidents, these vehicles’ added size and durability allow the occupants to escape many severe injuries they might suffer in a smaller car. And, of course, there is the fun factor. Everyone who owns these oversized trucks or Jeeps is sure to have explored some off-road areas that could never be reached even in a smaller truck, let alone a car.
But there are also downsides to these oversized vehicles that can add to the safety hazard when you are forced to use a hi-lift jack to change a tire or elevate the vehicle out of a hole, sand pit, or other obstacle. Ideally, these larger lift systems will elevate your car without any issues. But in cases where the ground is level and smooth, there can be a significant risk of the jack collapsing and the truck falling on you or someone else nearby.
If you have recently become the latest victim of a hi-lift jack collapse incident, the staff at Normandie Law Firm is here to help. It can be challenging to sort through all the details of an accident injury to determine who is to blame if the hi-lift jack collapsed because of a defect or if there was another reason you suffered severe injuries and are dealing with immense pain and stress about paying your bills.
Please get in touch with Normandie Law Firm today to speak to an expert hi-lift jack injury lawyer to get answers to your pressing questions and request a free consultation to evaluate the legal merit of your claim. If you have grounds for a hi-lift jack collapse injury lawsuit, our experts will advise you on the next step to secure the funds you deserve for your injuries and losses.
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What Causes A Hi-Lift Jack To Collapse?
Most hi-lift jacks function like any other crank-style jack. They are just larger. So you face all the same typical wear and tear challenges you would with any jack, such as:
- Rust
- Bent or damaged components
- Overloading and damaging the jack
- Defective parts on the jack are failing
In addition to these common issues, other problems can be compounded by the size of the jack, such as:
- The taller jack is less stable as the weight of the vehicle is lifted higher
- As the weight is lifted, the small base of the hi-lift jack can fail or begin to slip if not placed on a flat surface
- The weight of the larger vehicle could be more than the rated capability of the jack
- The longer lift arm of the hi-lift jack is more likely to wear due to the increased torque
When Can I Sue For My Hi-Lift Jack Injuries?
If you were misusing the hi-lift jack or using it in an unapproved manner, such as on a vehicle that was too heavy for the jack’s weight limit, you are likely solely responsible for your injuries. But even if you think the likability all falls on your shoulders, don’t hesitate to contact Normandie Law Firm for a free consultation to evaluate the claim and ensure you are not overlooking any facts that could allow you to sue for damages.
However, if you were using the hi-lift jack correctly and within the manufacturer’s specifications and it collapsed, you could have reason to file a hi-lift jack injury lawsuit. The manufacturer of the hi-lift jack is legally obligated to provide a product that is free of defects and will function safely and reliably within the guidelines they provide to consumers. In addition, they must test these devices to ensure they will perform as the manufacturer claims. If the unit did not meet the specs created by the manufacturer and collapsed, causing you to be hurt, in most cases, the manufacturer is the party responsible for your injuries and losses.
However, if the hi-lift jack was recalled or removed from the market due to a known flaw but was still sold by some retailers, they could be liable for your injuries. The expert hi-lift jack injury lawyers at Normandie Law Firm are here to help you sort through this complicated process to determine who is to blame for your injuries and if you have grounds for a lawsuit to secure compensation for your losses and expenses caused by the hi-lift jack collapse. Be sure to contact our office at your earliest convenience to determine if a lawsuit is the solution you need for the expenses and challenges your injuries created.
How Much Could My Hi-Lift Jack Collapse Injury Lawsuit Be Worth?
The value of most personal injury claims is based primarily on the actual losses and expenses suffered by the victim. Unlike what you might see on television or in a movie, there are no pre-determined values for certain types of injuries or accidents. Instead, you will work with the legal experts at Normandie Law Firm to compile all allowable expenses you incurred to determine the value of your claim. These items usually include:
- All current and future medical expenses related to the injuries suffered when the hi-lift jack collapsed and any treatment or therapy needed to reach a full recovery
- Your lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working
- The value of any personal property that was damaged or destroyed when the hi-lift jack collapsed
- Legal fees from Normandie Law Firm for the preparation and litigation of your hi-lift jack collapse injury lawsuit
A dollar amount can be included for your pain and suffering when significant injuries require a lengthy recovery time. This is not a figure that comes from any document or receipt, so you need the expert guidance of your legal team to select an appropriate amount related to your injuries. They often rely on previous claims with similar circumstances and injuries to ensure your pain and suffering amount is as robust as the court will allow.
In addition, an amount can be added called punitive damages. This applies when the manufacturer or some other party was grossly negligent in some way, such as choosing to sell items that did not pass quality control testing or failing to issue a recall after a product was found to have defects. Your Normandie legal team will guide you every step of the way to ensure you are getting the total and fair compensation you deserve for all you endured.
Injuries Often Suffered When A Hi-Lift Jack Collapses
Sadly, the injuries suffered in these events are often very traumatic and devastating to the victim and their loved ones. The results can range from painful damage that will heal after a few months of treatment and rehabilitation to life-long impairment and disabilities that destroy the victim’s quality of life. Some of these injuries include:
- Damage to the neck, back, or spinal cord
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Broken or shattered bones and compound fractures
- Crushing injuries to the chest and torso causing severe damage to the heart, lungs, or other vital organs
- Crushing wounds to the airway
- Amputations
- Soft tissue damage, including damage or destruction of the nerves
- Destruction of joints and soft connective tissue of the joints
In addition to these excruciating and upsetting injuries, victims often suffer nearly as many emotional challenges, such as flashbacks, night terrors, anxiety, overwhelming stress, and depression. These scars are not visible but were created when the victim lay trapped under a vehicle, waiting for help to arrive and extricate them from the carnage.
When Can I File My Hi-Lift Jack Collapse Injury Lawsuit
You will typically have two years from the incident date to file your claim for your losses and injuries. If you wait longer, you will likely lose the right to seek compensation as the Statute of Limitations will have expired. However, some exceptions could apply to your case. If any are applicable and provide advantages to you, your legal team at Normandie Law Firm will advise you of the potential benefits they offer.
You Deserve The Best Hi-Lift Jack Collapse Injury Lawyer
After suffering severe injuries from a hi-lift jack collapse, you are sure to be concerned about your future and how to pay your bills and living expenses. The staff at Normandie Law Firm wants you to know that they are here to work tirelessly to assist you in solving these and the other issues created by your unfortunate injury incident. And we are ready to handle any injury lawsuit that has legal merit without charging you any upfront legal fees or expenses. Instead, we cover all the fees, and you only need to reimburse us for fees and pay for our services after we have secured the settlement or verdict funds needed to cover your bills.
In addition, we are so confident in our ability to win your claim that we charge you nothing if we fail to win your case. So, there is never any added financial risk for you when you hire the experts at Normandie Law Firm to handle your hi-lift jack collapse injury lawsuit. Our staff assumes the risk and stress of completing the claim and getting you the money you need so that you can focus on reaching a full recovery as quickly as possible.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Normandie Law Firm today to learn more and begin to overcome the challenges of your hi-lift jack collapse injuries.
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