Jackknife Accidents

What Steps Do I Take?

If you’ve been involved in a jackknife truck accident, report the problem to the police right away and obtain a report. Law enforcement will need to secure the scene, document damages, call an ambulance, talk to witnesses, and take down your statement. It’s important that you get checked out by a doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have a concussion and not know it.

After the accident, you will need to contact a truck attorney to deal with the legal aspects of the crash. This will allow you to simply focus on healing, physically and emotionally, from the trauma the pile up may have caused. A good truck lawyer can hold the driver fully accountable for damages, which can help pay for your medical bills, losses and anguish.

What Are the Usual Damages & Causes?

Commercial trucks on interstate highways can carry as much as 80,000 pounds in weight when pulling 28-foot double trailers. When that kind of power loses control, it can be truly terrifying. With nearly 5% of all truck accidents being jackknife crashes, the destruction can be vast and devastating to everyone involved. Understanding what conditions may lead to jackknife accidents can help you to avoid them and keep yourself and your loved ones out of harm’s way.

Common causes of jackknifing include:

• Runaway speeds – Trucks driving over 55 miles per hour gain momentum and are extremely hard to stop. A driver who quickly brakes going at this speed will likely lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a jackknife accident.
• Curved roads – Most commercial truck drivers can handle gentle curves in the road, but when a steep angle presents itself and the trailer is too long, there is a high chance that a jackknife incident may occur.
• Poor weather conditions – Slippery roads, rain, sleet, snow and other bad weather can cause a truck to slide and lose traction. Even a small amount of traction loss can have serious consequences on the road, considering the size and weight of the commercial vehicle.
• Driver error or negligence – Commercial trucks are operated by human beings, not robots, so if a driver is sleepy, under the influence, distressed or distracted, even the smallest miscalculation can result in a loss of vehicle control, leading to destruction.
• Equipment malfunction – Vehicles require regular maintenance to prevent brake failure, hydraulic failure or other malfunctions. If a technical issue arises during a trip and it is not quickly fixed, the truck may careen out of control, causing a pile up.

Who is at Fault?

A skilled truck accident attorney can help to navigate the many parties involved in a collision, regardless of what state they may come from.

The following may be held responsible:

• The driver
• The driver’s employer
• The cargo company
• Vehicle contractors
• Vehicle manufacturer
• Individuals who may have caused hazards on the road