Why Jackknife Truck Accidents Are Serious Matters
Auto accidents of all kinds need to be taken very seriously. These kinds of accidents can result in serious injuries that have lasting affects for everyone involved. Lives can be changed forever, and that goes for the accident victim as well as the loved ones of the injury victim.
Our personal injury attorneys would like to focus on a particularly serious kind of accident that can occur that often leads to serious injuries: the jackknife truck accident. There are many misunderstandings about these kinds of cases, so we hope to set the record straight for you.
What is a jackknife truck accident?
A jackknife truck accident occurs when the trailer of a big rig folds perpendicularly and/or diagonally from the truck itself. The movement of the trailer is similar to a folding knife or a pocketknife, hence the name of this kind of accident.
Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknife truck accidents are commonly caused by the following:
- Improper braking by the truck driver
- Equipment failure
- Poor road conditions (e.g., icy roads, wet roads)
- Poor weather conditions (e.g., snow, sleet, hail, rain)
In extreme cases of brake failure, a truck driver may intentionally try to jackknife the truck in order to slow down the truck. These instances are rare and usually done when there are no other viable options.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents and Severe Injuries
Given the large truck and the large trailer involved in these sorts of accidents, it should come as no surprise that severe injuries and multi-car accidents are common during jackknife accidents. The trailer can slide into adjacent lanes, swiping nearby vehicles and causing those vehicles to careen into other nearby vehicles. Approaching vehicles may not be able to stop or speed away in time to avoid the other vehicles involved in the initial collision.
As more vehicles become involved, the likelihood of severe injuries increases. This is why having truck accident attorneys on your side to help in legal actions is so helpful.
Fatalities Are Likely in Jackknife Accidents
Big rigs and their trailers can generate a tremendous amount of force given the sheer mass of the objects involved. Because of this and the fact that multiple vehicles may be involved, it is not uncommon for fatalities to result from a jackknife accident. Families that experience such tragedy should not simply mourn the loss of their loved ones. Seeking legal help can aid in the grieving and process and give some sense of closure.
How Our Legal Team Can Help Victims and Their Loves Ones
During the litigation process, our legal team will fight diligently on your behalf to make sure that your loved one did not die in vain. We will look into all evidence surrounding the accident and determine who was at fault.
It may be the truck driver who is ultimately responsible, or it may be the trucking company if they have policies that cause their employees to experience severe fatigue. Similarly, an auto part manufacturer may be responsible if an auto part failed and contributed to the accident occurring. Whatever the case, we will hold the negligent party responsible for their irresponsible actions.
Learn More About Trucking Accidents
If you would like to learn more about jackknife truck accidents and your many legal options to consider, we encourage you to contact our Voluisha County personal injury lawyers today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve just compensation for injuries and losses.