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A jackknife is a knife with a folding blade that snaps shut. This folding movement reflects what occurs in a jackknife truck accident. In jackknife truck accidents, a tractor-trailer truck “folds” as the cab brakes or turns, while the trailer keeps its momentum and swings out of alignment. The driver is now unable to steer the vehicle, and it becomes an out-of-control force, wreaking havoc in its path.
If any passenger vehicles are involved, the consequences are likely to be severe. A light motor vehicle colliding with a jackknifing heavy vehicle absorbs the force of the heavy vehicle’s momentum, a combination of its velocity and weight.
Because jackknife accidents frequently involve multiple vehicles and complex liability issues, working with a Lexington truck accident lawyer is critical to uncovering what went wrong and who should be held responsible.
Although the jackknifing action of a truck is easy to understand, determining the reasons for jackknifing can be far more complex. They range from dangerous road conditions to poor maintenance and driver error, or a combination of these factors.
Common causes of jackknife truck accidents include:
The driver brakes too hard or too abruptly. A heavily loaded trailer experiencing brake force and traction loss may be unable to match this. It impacts the slower tractor, pushing it to one side and causing it to swing into a jackknife position.
Improperly maintained brakes can contribute to this. The tractor or trailer’s brakes may lock. If the trailer’s brakes lock, it may swing to one side, causing a trailer jackknife. If the tractor’s brakes lock, a tractor jackknife occurs as the trailer pushes the tractor aside. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets standards to decrease the incidence of this type of accident.
The trailer loses its grip on a slippery road surface after rain, hail, ice, snow, or a spill. When the tractor brakes, the trailer skids relative to the tractor, causing the vehicle to jackknife.
A professional driver is trained to adjust their speed and increase their following distance on slippery roads, allowing them to brake gradually. Jackknife truck accidents on slippery roads are often caused by driver error, but poor maintenance and road conditions may be contributing factors.
If a driver approaches a bend too quickly, a tractor-trailer truck cannot navigate the bend safely. The momentum of the trailer pushes the tractor out of alignment, and the truck jackknifes. Bad weather increases the risk of this type of accident occurring.
When cargo is unbalanced or improperly loaded, the truck becomes unstable and more prone to swaying. When the truck negotiates a corner or the driver must brake, the imbalanced trailer is more likely to jackknife.
Driver error is the root cause of many jackknife truck accidents. Safe operation of a tractor-trailer combination requires skill and concentration. A distracted, overtired, or startled driver may drive too fast or brake too suddenly, leading to jackknifing and loss of control.
If either the tractor or trailer’s brakes fail, or if the tractor and trailer’s brakes are not properly coordinated, the risk of jackknifing is elevated. In this scenario, a company that maintained the rig or a company responsible for supplying components may be partly or fully responsible for the accident.
Deadheading occurs when a driver returns with an empty trailer. It has lower traction because it lacks the weight of a load and tends to be more unstable. This increases the risk of a jackknife accident. An experienced driver will adjust their driving style to this situation.
Accidents happen fast, and there can be multiple contributing causes. People get injured. Even the authorities may struggle to understand every detail. Easy answers aren’t necessarily the right ones. Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C. Attorneys at Law go the extra mile.
If you have been in a jackknife truck accident, talk to our Lexington personal injury lawyer. We’ll work to understand what caused the accident and explain your legal options.