Jackknife refers to the folding of an articulated vehicle, so it resembles an acute angle, kind like a folding pocket knife. If a vehicle towing a trailer skids, the trailer because of the weight can push the towing vehicle from behind until it spins the vehicle around and faces backwards. A huge 18-wheeler driving in front of them begins to lose control. In just a split second, the truck skids and the trailer swings out to one side. The out of control truck now resembles a giant pocket knife folding in on itself. Before they know it, the semi-truck is blocking all lanes of the highway, and they cannot stop their car fast enough. They crash into the truck trailer and become the latest victim of a jackknife accident. Jackknife crashes are especially deadly.
If you or a loved one were severely injured in a tractor-trailer collision, seek help from a seasoned truck accident lawyer. A Fort Worth jackknife truck accident lawyer could help you seek the compensation you need to move forward. You may be eligible to recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Are Jackknife Truck Accidents Avoidable?
There are several ways to prevent a jackknife truck accident. Some of the common ways include making sure the weight is distributed evenly on the trailer, gradually break over large distances, avoid braking on large curves, and obey the speed limit.
Truckers can decrease the risk of a jackknife crash by keeping a safe distance between the truck and other vehicles on the road, especially in inclement weather. They can avoid decelerating at turns or bends. They should also avoid swerving and sudden evasive actions and steer into a skid if it occurs. A skilled Fort Worth lawyer could investigate the cause of the jackknife truck collision and help injured claimant’s hold the negligent party accountable for damages.
Improper Maintenance
The most common causes include improper brake adjustment and maintenance. If a truck’s brakes are not properly adjusted and maintained, the trailer axles can lock before the truck axles during heavy braking. In this situation, the tractor drags the trailer, and it locks the brakes and the trailer swings out to the side as a result.
Speeding
High speeds also lead to jackknife crashes. A massive commercial truck takes an incredible amount of force to stop, especially if the tractor-trailer is traveling over 55 miles an hour. The faster the truck is going, the more likely it is that the driver would try to slam the brakes if they need to stop quickly. Slamming on the brakes often leads to the braking imbalance described above, especially in trucks with improperly set brakes.
Evasive Maneuvers
Sharp curves and evasive maneuvers are also causes. While slight curves should not pose a problem for most commercial semis and drivers, evasive maneuvers combined with high speed and steep angles can cause the trailers end to swing out and the entire truck to lose control.
Hazardous Road Conditions
Slippery and hazardous weather conditions could cause a truck’s weight to shift and cause both the cab and the trailer to slide, and that might make it more likely for a truck to jackknife. Given the massive weight and length of commercial trucks and trailers, a truck can jackknife from even the smallest skids.
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Can Driver Inexperience And Fatigue Cause a Collision?
Driver fatigue and inexperience can also cause these crashes. One of the most significant preventable causes of trucking accidents is driver fatigue, which lowers the driver’s reaction times and impairs the judgment. Unfortunately, trucking companies in Fort Worth often encourage drivers to speed and exceed their hours of service limits despite the safety risk. In addition, trucking companies often hire drivers without training them properly, which makes it more likely that they will panic or fail to respond properly when a dangerous situation comes up. Reach out to a knowledgeable attorney to learn more about tractor-trailer jackknife crashes.
Fort Worth Jackknife Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Let a Fort Worth Jackknife Truck Accident Attorney Help
A jackknife accident victim needs to let the attorney decide if the accident was foreseeable or preventable because they are the ones experienced in determining liability. Skids can happen to the best truck drivers, but there are ways of preventing these common occurrences from turning into jackknives and for that matter, serious multivehicle accidents.
The legal cases that result from jackknife crashes are incredibly complex, which is why it is beneficial to work with an experienced Fort Worth truck accident lawyer. Hiring an experienced truck accident attorney can make all the difference for the outcome of their case. Truck wreck lawyers know the right questions to ask when approaching their case. They should have the staff and resources they need to investigate the crash and dealing with insurance adjusters, law enforcement agencies, and state and federal transportation authorities.
If you were injured in a jackknife crash, you should act quickly and contact a Fort Worth jackknife truck accident lawyer to protect your legal rights. To prove that negligence, they will need to collect evidence such as the truck’s onboard data recorder or black box which documents, information about the truck or speed, and the application of the brakes. Additionally, they will also need to collect testimony from eyewitnesses, the police report, and medical records. The trucking and insurance companies will move quickly to mount a defense and statute of limitations apply to truck wreck claims, so a person should not wait to take action. Call today to learn more about how an attorney could help your case.
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