A jackknife occurs when an articulated vehicle folds sharply, resembling a folding pocket knife. If a vehicle towing a trailer skids, the trailer’s weight can push the towing vehicle around until it spins backward. In a split second, the truck loses control, the trailer swings out to one side, and the semi-truck can block all lanes of the highway. Drivers often cannot stop in time, leading to a collision. Jackknife crashes are especially dangerous and often deadly.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a tractor-trailer collision, a jackknife truck accident lawyer in Fort Worth, TX, can help you pursue compensation. Speaking with a truck accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and determine if you are eligible 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.
Can Driver Inexperience & 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 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 should let an attorney determine if the crash was foreseeable or preventable, as they are experienced in assessing liability. Skids can happen to even the best truck drivers, but there are ways to prevent these incidents from turning into jackknife or multivehicle accidents.
Legal cases from jackknife crashes are complex, which is why working with an experienced Fort Worth truck accident lawyer can make a significant difference. Skilled attorneys know the right questions to ask, have the resources to investigate the crash, and can handle insurance adjusters, law enforcement, and state or federal transportation authorities.
If you were injured in a jackknife crash, contact The Texas Law Dog promptly to protect your rights. They will gather evidence such as the truck’s black box data, truck information, brake application, eyewitness testimony, police reports, and medical records. Trucking and insurance companies act quickly to defend themselves, and statutes of limitations apply, so timely action is essential. Call today to learn how an attorney can help.
