Jackknife Truck Accident

A truck pulling a trailer does not perform in the same way as a tractor without a trailer or a passenger car. Commercial drivers who do not appreciate the unique ways in which a tractor-trailer combination vehicle handles on the road may cause a jackknife truck accident. When a commercial tractor-trailer jackknifes, it can be impossible for cars following the truck to avoid a collision with the truck and/or with one another. Not only this, but trucks that jackknife are at a greater risk of tumbling over, increasing the likelihood of injury to the truck driver and falling or spilled cargo. Jackknife accidents usually result from truck drivers who make an error on the roadway when responding to other vehicles and/or hazards that occur.

Defining the Jackknife Truck Accident

A jackknife truck accident is one in which the tractor-trailer turns nearly perpendicular to the direction of travel and the trailer “swings” across one or more lanes of travel.

The tractor-trailer effectively forms a “wall” that can span across an entire roadway or across several lanes of travel. A jackknife truck accident is typically the result of the truck driver’s sudden application of brakes when the tractor-trailer is traveling at a high rate of speed. The trailer may have sufficient momentum to swing around one side of the truck or the other. As it does, the power and force of the trailer can change the direction of the tractor cab as well. Depending on the force of the accident, the tractor-trailer may turn over on its side. This can cause cargo to spill out of the truck, fuel or other dangerous chemicals and substances to leak from the truck, and massive pile-ups behind the jackknifed truck.

Dangers of Jackknife Truck Accidents for Motorists

Motorists who are right behind a truck that jackknifes face a significant risk of a serious truck accident occurring. If a jackknife accident occurs at high speed (i.e., while on a highway), the motorist may not have sufficient time or space to maneuver out of the way and avoid colliding with the truck. Even if the motorist is successful in doing so, vehicles following behind the motorist may not see the jackknifed truck and stopped traffic and may cause a rear-end collision with the stopped motorist. Spilled fuel or flammable substances can ignite in the chaos, multiplying the number and severity of injuries and fatalities.

Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents

While a truck may jackknife because brakes are suddenly applied, a reasonable truck driver will not usually apply the brakes of his or her truck in such a manner.

This means that jackknife truck accidents are usually the result of the truck driver’s or another person’s careless or reckless behavior. This can include:

• A truck driver who is driving while distracted (i.e., looking at text messages, attempting to dial on his or her cell phone, or one who is adjusting his or her radio or communications equipment);
• A truck driver who is driving while drowsy (i.e, one who did not get sufficient sleep before driving or who has been driving for too long without rest);
• A truck driver who is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and whose ability to timely react to hazards like merging lanes and whose judgment may be impaired;
• A motorist may suddenly cut off a truck driver and give the truck driver little room to maneuver and induce the truck driver to quickly apply his or her brakes); and/or
• Slippery roadways, which may cause the truck driver to lose control of his or her tractor-trailer.

The individuals who are responsible for contributing to a jackknife truck accident – whether it is the truck driver, another motorist, or some other third party – may be responsible for compensating victims who are injured in a jackknife truck accident if the jackknife accident was brought about because of the person’s carelessness or negligent behavior. Compensation for injury victims can include monetary damages for:

• Past and future medical expenses;
• Prescription drugs and medical devices;
• Lost wages and decreased future earnings;

• Pain and suffering suffered by the victim;
• Loss of enjoyment of life experienced by the victim;
• Other losses and expenses.

Stern Law, PLLC is Your Jackknife Truck Accident Law Firm

If you or a loved one was involved in a truck accident, you may be struggling to recover while attempting to deal with your insurance company, the truck’s insurance company, and law enforcement in determining what happened and who is responsible. Let Stern Law, PLLC and attorney Ken Stern help. We are committed to helping injury victims involved in jackknife accidents move forward from the jackknife truck crash into the future with financial confidence. Call Stern Law, PLLC today at (844) 808-7529 and discover the difference experienced and compassionate legal counsel can make in your ability to move beyond a jackknife truck accident.