JACKKNIFE ACCIDENTS
St. Louis, Kansas City, and Jefferson City, Missouri
Jackknifing truck accidents put passenger vehicles at considerable risk. They occur when a truck’s trailer swings out and forms an acute angle to its body. Sometimes, jackknifing is misconstrued as trailer swing, which happens when the trailer slides to one side but readjusts as the truck continues driving.
Jackknife truck accidents can have serious repercussions for victims. If you have been injured in this type of truck accident, it is important to immediately contact a truck accident attorney who can investigate your case and pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries and property damage.
How Jackknife Truck Accidents Occur
Jackknife accidents are generally caused by a collision. While the majority of tractor trailer drivers have the skill necessary to prevent a truck from jackknifing, one cause of truck accidents is inadequate driver training.
Other causes of jackknifing include:
- Poor roadway conditions
- Improper breaking
- Truck equipment failure
- A light or empty trailer which increases the likelihood of jackknifing
Negligence in Jackknife Truck Accidents
When a jackknife truck accident occurs due to a driver suddenly turning to avoid another vehicle, if the trailer slips due to adverse weather conditions, the driver is not generally thought to be negligent. However, a driver’s decision in an emergency situation can be found insufficient if the driver makes an unreasonable decision, inconsistent with those made by others in his/her profession, he/she may be found negligent.
Trucks could do the following in jackknife situations:
- Lock the steering axle brakes which will allow the vehicle to continue forward, but the driver will have no control over steering
- Lock the trailer brakes, which can cause the trailer to swing
- Lock the drive axle brakes
The trucking company may also be negligent in jackknife truck accidents if:
- The trucker has not received adequate training
- The truck is poorly maintained
How Truck Drivers Can Avoid Jackknifing
In the event of skidding, the truck driver should stop breaking and steer into the skid. Other precautionary measures are:
- Maintaining adequate distance between vehicles
- Applying brakes evenly
- Not decelerating on a downhill turn
- Entering turns slowly
Jackknife accidents are a tragic kind of truck accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor trailer accident, please contact the Missouri truck accident attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm today to schedule your free case evaluation. The Bradley Law Firm serves the St. Louis, Jefferson City and Kansas City as well as all of Missouri.