Jackknife truck accidents occur when the “trailer” portion of a tractor-trailer swings out from behind the cab of the truck and forms a 90-degree angle with the cab, resembling an open jackknife. These incidents can lead to significant injuries and property damage on the roadways. A common jackknife truck accident frequently occurs and is severe in nature, often leading to catastrophic injuries and multi-vehicle collisions. Here, we want to examine how jackknife truck accidents typically occur along with the importance of speaking to a truck accident attorney in Irvine if you have been harmed due to this type of crash.
Definition and Explanation
A jackknife truck accident occurs when a large commercial truck, such as a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, folds in on itself at the joint between the cab and trailer, resembling the shape of a folding pocket knife. This type of accident can result in devastating multi-vehicle pileups and severe injuries or death to cars, motorcycles, or pedestrians in the path of the out-of-control trailer. Jackknife truck accidents are often caused by truck driver error or negligence and can be catastrophic due to the size and weight of the truck.
Why do Trucks Jackknife?
There are various reasons why trucks jackknife on the roadway. Generally, trucks jackknife when the front of the vehicle slows down or skids, but the trailer attached to the front of the vehicle does not slow down or stop. This can lead to the trailer pushing towards the front of the vehicle, falling into a sideways motion, and creating the telltale “jackknife.” A jackknifing truck poses serious dangers and legal consequences, often resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.
Large commercial trucks can jackknife due to a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Wet or icy roadways
- Improper braking
- Equipment failure
- Inexperienced commercial truck drivers
- Turning too quickly
- Operating at unsafe speeds
- Inadequate truck maintenance
- Fatigued drivers
- Other types of intentional driver actions
- Improper loading of the cargo
Jackknife truck accidents, unfortunately, often lead to significant injuries and major property damage. This is particularly true if smaller passenger vehicles get caught up in the jackknife incident. Additionally, a truck that jackknifes can potentially block all lanes of traffic, and this can lead to major pile-ups amongst other vehicles on the roadway.
It is not uncommon for jackknife truck accident victims to sustain injuries such as spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain trauma, broken or dislocated bones, severe lacerations, internal organ damage, and more.
Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknife truck accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Improper braking: Large trucks require much longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles, and improper braking can cause the trailer to swing out to the side, leading to a jackknife accident.
- Speeding: Speeding can cause the trailer to swing out to the side, making it difficult for the driver to maintain control.
- Improper loading: Unevenly loaded cargo can shift during transport and unbalance the trailer, leading to a jackknife accident.
- Driver error: Distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and fatigue can all contribute to a jackknife accident.
- Equipment failure: Issues with the truck’s tires, suspension, steering, or coupling between the cab and trailer can all contribute to a jackknife accident.
Common Injuries in Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknife truck accidents can result in severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries: These can occur when a victim’s head hits a hard surface or is jolted violently in a crash.
- Spinal cord injuries: These can occur when the spinal cord is damaged or severed, often leading to paralysis below the site of the injury.
- Broken bones: The force of a jackknife accident can easily cause broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
- Internal injuries: Jackknife accidents can cause internal injuries, such as damage to organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys.
- Lacerations and soft tissue damage: Flying debris and broken glass in a jackknife accident can cause deep cuts and lacerations, as well as soft tissue damage like sprains, strains, and contusions.
- Psychological trauma: Jackknife truck accidents can also cause significant psychological trauma for survivors, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Prevention and Safety Measures
To prevent jackknife truck accidents, truck drivers and trucking companies can take several steps, including the following:
- Proper braking: Truck drivers should always brake slowly and smoothly, especially when driving in adverse weather conditions or on winding roads.
- Safe loading: Cargo should be properly secured and evenly loaded to prevent shifting during transport.
- Regular maintenance: Trucking companies should regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles to prevent equipment failure.
- Defensive driving: Truck drivers should always be aware of their surroundings and drive defensively to avoid accidents.
- Safety training: Truck drivers should receive regular safety training to learn how to handle emergency situations and prevent accidents.
Passenger vehicles can also take steps to avoid being involved in a jackknife truck accident, including:
- Keeping a safe distance: Passenger vehicles should always keep a safe distance from large trucks to avoid being caught in a jackknife accident.
- Avoiding blind spots: Passenger vehicles should avoid driving in the blind spots of large trucks, where the driver may not be able to see them.
- Being aware of road conditions: Passenger vehicles should always be aware of road conditions and adjust their driving accordingly to avoid accidents.
By taking these steps, truck drivers, trucking companies, and passenger vehicles can all play a role in preventing jackknife truck accidents and keeping the roads safe.
Do You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a jackknife truck accident on a California roadway, we strongly encourage you to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. It is critical to seek medical care not only for your health and well-being but also to maintain the integrity of the injury claim. Additionally, hiring an experienced truck accident attorney who can navigate the complexities of the legal process is crucial.
We strongly encourage jackknife truck accident victims to contact a skilled truck accident lawyer who has experience handling these claims. An experienced truck accident lawyer can manage the case, ensuring that victims receive the compensation they deserve. A jackknife truck accident will inevitably lead to a battle with insurance carriers and legal teams, which could jeopardize your claim. Ultimately, truck accident victims harmed due to the negligent actions of a truck driver or another party on the roadway should be able to recover compensation for their medical bills, lost income, property damage expenses, and pain and suffering damages. Having a jackknife truck accident lawyer handle the complexities of the case is essential.
Determining liability for these claims can be challenging, but a truck accident lawyer will be able to handle this process for you. Truck accident attorneys play a critical role in managing complex legal situations arising from jackknife truck accidents. This includes conducting a thorough investigation into the incident to obtain the evidence needed to discover liability. This evidence can include photographs taken at the scene of the incident, surveillance footage from nearby cameras on homes, businesses, or dashcams, as well as statements from eyewitnesses to the incident. Truck accident lawyers have the expertise to navigate complex legal processes and maximize compensation for victims. Due to the complexity of many truck accident claims, it may be necessary to work with a skilled accident reconstruction expert who can piece together what happened and render the incident into a computerized 3D model. Reach out to our Irvine injury attorneys by calling (714) 241-4444 to get a free consultation.
