Request FREE consultation - 1866-758-4529 
Highways are jammed in every major city across the United States because of a truck accident involving a jackknifed big rig. The tractor-trailer will frequently roll over and spill diesel fuel on the highway.
There is a point of no return when a trailer travels at a speed greater than the tractor. It is this scenario that allows the jackknife accident to occur.
Another common situation is a jackknife accident, where the trailer of the semi-truck slides sideways down the highway, often impacting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. This usually results in devastating damage and catastrophic injuries
When the tractor crosses into oncoming traffic.
Jackknife accidents can also be extremely dangerous for the truck drivers themselves because the driver can no longer control the truck after it reaches the point of no return.
Houston experiences numerous jackknife accidents each month throughout the year. Most of these incidents occur on major highways, resulting in significant delays for commuters.
When diesel fuel is spilled on the highway, special crews must be dispatched to clean up the spill before the roadway can be opened to the public. This is a very intense and expensive undertaking that must be done in each instance when fuel is spilled on the roadway.
Diesel fuel and even gasoline spills are extremely slick when an unsuspecting motorist hits the patch of spilled fuel. If you add rain or moisture to the mix, it becomes even slicker, resulting in accidents similar to those that occur when a motorist unexpectedly hits a patch of ice.
One of the single biggest factors contributing to a semi-truck jackknife incident is the application of brakes on the tractor, which causes the tractor to slow down while the trailer remains stationary. Add some steering input, and conditions are ripe for a jackknife.
It is no coincidence that a jackknife truck wreck is most likely to occur when a trailer is unloaded or lightly loaded. The reason is that the weight of the trailer allows the trailer to brake more effectively. Studies have shown that unloaded big rigs are much more likely to jackknife than fully loaded tractor-trailers.
Proper braking by the professional truck driver is an essential component of avoiding a jackknife crash. Sometimes, there is just no alternative to a heartbreaking by a professional truck driver. Safety is achieved by maintaining a clear distance between other vehicles on the highway whenever possible.
Driver experience can also play a big part in preventing a jackknife from becoming a reality. The more experienced the driver, the less likely they are to apply the brakes and jack up their truck improperly.
Once a commercial truck driver reaches the point of “no return” in a jackknife accident, they are essentially along for the ride, no matter what they do with the braking or the steering of the semi-truck.
Many truck drivers have been seriously injured and even killed because of improper braking that led to a jackknife.
Call (281) 893-0760 or click here if you have been in a serious truck wreck.
Contact the experienced trucking accident attorney for help after a big rig injury accident.
(281) 893-0760
Related Resources:
Why A Tractor Trailer Jackknifes
The main cause of a jackknife truck accident
Falling Loads off Tractor Trailers
