Causes of a Jackknife Truck Accident
A jackknife truck accident is one of the most severe motor vehicle collisions that could occur. Because trucks are so much larger than the average four-door sedan, accidents involving tractor-trailers have a greater potential to cause serious injury and death. Like other motor vehicle accidents, there are several different types of truck collisions. Some of these include:
- Rollover accidents which take place when either the cabin or the trailer flip or tip over.
- Tire blowout accidents which occur when one or more of the vehicle’s tires explode.
- Lost load accidents that happen when the cargo of the tractor-trailer spills onto the roadway.
- Jackknife truck accidents which happen when the cabin of the truck bends backward against the trailer.
A jackknife truck accident is always severe. It can lead to serious traumatic injuries or even death.
Improper Vehicle Maintenance
One of the most common reasons that a truck might jackknife is due to delayed or improper maintenance. Some of the essential components of routine truck maintenance include:
- Oil changes and tire rotations
- Belt changes and rotations
- Fluid replacement
- Axle adjustment and vehicle alignment
If the brakes on the vehicle have not been appropriately adjusted, the axles on the trailer could lock before the axles on the rest of the vehicle. When this occurs, the semi will drag the trailer and the locked brakes. This causes the trailer to swing out to the side, and a jackknife accident will result.
High Speeds and Sharp Turns
Another common cause of a jackknife truck accident involves high speeds and sharp turns. The faster the truck is going, the more force it will require to stop. The harder the driver slams on the brakes, the higher the chance of a jackknife accident taking place because of the mechanism discussed above.
If this braking takes place on a sharp curve, there is an even higher chance of a jackknife accident occurring. Evasive action that takes place at a steep angle could cause the end of the trailer to swing out to the side. When this happens, the driver will lose control of the vehicle, and a jackknife or rollover truck accident (or both) could take place.
Watch YouTube Video: How to Handle a Jackknife – A Critical Professional Truck Driver Skill. In this video, a professional truck driver provides life-saving skills on how to react and maneuver a semi-truck when you’re in a jackknife situation.
Contacting a Truck Accident Lawyer
If a loved one is involved in a jackknife truck accident, this could lead to severe injuries that require emergency surgery. This can leave the family with numerous questions that deserve answers. For this reason, it is a good idea to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Sacramento. An experienced attorney can help families review the records from the accident, compare this to the injuries that were suffered, and pursue damages that could help in the recovery process. All families deserve help during their time of need. Meet with a Sacramento truck accident lawyer today. You could be deserving of monetary compensation.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. A jackknife truck accident is severe and could lead to serious and even fatal traumatic injuries. If you have suffered life-threatening injuries following a serious truck accident, please contact me today at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am honored to be a member of the Top One Percent and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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