What to Know About Jackknife Truck Accidents

A jackknife truck accident occurs when a semi-truck loses control and the trailer swings towards the front of the vehicle, creating a sharp angle between the trailer and the cab. These accidents are often caused by poor truck handling and can result in catastrophic personal injuries.

When a jackknife truck accident causes serious injuries, identifying the cause of the accident can be crucial to determining who was at fault. Analysis by accident reconstruction experts often reveals that the truck driver did not take adequate care when navigating challenging driving conditions, that the truck was improperly loaded and became unstable, or because of faulty or defective parts.

What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?

Semi-trucks are made up of two parts: the cab, and the trailer. A jackknife truck accident occurs when the trailer swings out and forms an acute angle with the cab, making the truck look like a partially folded pocket knife.

What Causes Jackknife Truck Accidents?

Jackknife truck accidents can happen when the driver of a semi-truck tries to suddenly stop or change course, causing the trailer to go one way while the cab goes another way. Common factors that can cause a jackknife truck accident include:

• Sharp turns or evasive maneuvers
• Equipment malfunction
• Locked wheels
• Brake failure
• Improper braking
• Dangerous weather conditions
• Shifting, loose, or improperly secured cargo
• Road debris
• Speeding

Accident Reconstruction Experts Can Help Determine the Cause of a Jackknife Truck Accident

Determining who is at fault for a jackknifed truck accident often requires analysis by an accident reconstruction expert. An accident reconstruction expert can review and analyze the circumstances leading up to a truck accident to determine the cause of the accident and other contributing factors.

An accident reconstruction analysis often includes:

• A careful investigation of the accident scene to gather evidence such as skid marks, vehicle damage, road conditions, and debris. An accident reconstruction expert may review photographs and videos and take measurements to recreate a timeline and layout of the events leading up to the accident.
• Collecting data about the vehicles involved, including vehicle design, damage patterns, airbag deployment, and other factors. Some of this information may be obtained from the truck’s Electronic Data Recorder (ELD).
• Applying physics and engineering principles to analyze the cause of the crash, including vehicle speed, angle of impact, and the forces involved. An accident reconstruction expert may create a computer simulation of the accident that accounts for factors such as weather, road conditions, driver behavior, vehicle conditions, and other factors.

The accident reconstruction expert will compile his or her findings into a detailed report and may be called upon to provide expert witness testimony.

Who Is at Fault for a Jackknife Truck Accident?

Because there can be many different causes of a jackknife truck accident, several parties can potentially be found liable.

• The truck driver has a legal duty to act reasonably to avoid injuring other people on the road. The truck driver may have breached his or her duty by speeding, driving while fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or engaging in other negligent conduct.
• Trucking companies must follow state and federal regulations that apply to the trucking industry. If a trucking company violates a trucking regulation and causes an accident, the trucking company could be liable.
• Manufacturers could be liable for causing a truck accident if a defective part caused the jackknife accident. For example, a parts manufacturer could be liable for a jackknifed truck accident caused by a tire blowout or a brake failure.

What To Do If You Were Injured in a Jackknife Truck Accident

The aftermath of a jackknife truck accident can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Having qualified and experienced legal representation on your side can ease your burden. Let The Texas truck accident injury attorneys at McKinney Vos deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing.

We can help you navigate the legal and procedural complexities of a jackknife truck accident and obtain the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys can analyze your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and other factors, and negotiate with the insurance companies to reach a fair resolution to your truck accident injury claim. If resolution is not forthcoming, our experienced trial lawyers can take your case to court to seek justice on your behalf.

Contact the Truck Accident Injury Lawyers at McKinney Vos Today

The Texas truck accident injury lawyers at McKinney Vos are frequently called upon to represent people who were injured and families of people who were killed in serious truck accidents. Our lawyers can evaluate your commercial truck crash claim, provide advice and legal guidance to help you move forward, and fight for the compensation you and your family deserve. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.