Eighteen-wheeler accidents of any kind are usually catastrophic events for anyone involved. Jackknife accidents are some of the most dangerous. These can be caused by many variables that come into play while this forty to eighty thousand-pound transport vehicle is sailing down a highway or inner-city freeway.
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Our truck accident lawyers have won many cases involving a truck jackknife accident. We have over 35 years of experience and many multi-million dollar wins, including jackknife lawsuits.
As most safety experts will tell you, most commercial truck wrecks and car accidents are usually avoidable. Many tractor-trailer mishaps occur due to the driver’s awareness and the condition of the truck equipment.
Causes Of Jackknife Crashes
The reasons will vary, and sudden braking, speeding, and following too close can all play a role in a jackknife crash. Often, the use of onboard computers, law enforcement, accident reconstruction experts, and private investigators hired by Texas truck accident lawyers will have to be involved in getting to the root cause of such occurrences.
Some more deadly scenarios from a delayed reaction or drunk driving with an eighteen-wheeler include cell phones, prescription or illegal drugs, sleep deprivation, or just plain drinking liquor while operating such a large piece of equipment.
This spells disaster in every accident involving the tractor-trailer trying to stop too fast from the driver’s reaction. There is technology onboard the vehicle that tries to help prevent jackknifing, but there are times when a jackknife crash is inevitable.
The many different trailers pulled behind commercial tractors can cause more damage than others. Still, any time a load of cargo that weighs several tons becomes out of control, the result will never be positive.
Flatbed trailers can cause more damage, as the safety straps can become stressed and break during a jackknife incident. Carrying steel pipes or oil drilling equipment can create further damage and cause fatalities when it is ejected from the trailer and lands on top of average-sized personal automobiles.
Many times, a piece of equipment one-quarter the size of an SUV can weigh as much or even twice that of the vehicle it hits, and there will be no way of avoiding injuries or almost instant death for the occupants of the vehicle on impact. There are many schools of thought on preventing these accidents, but an alert and safety-conscious commercial driver is the best prevention.
Point of No Return on Jackknife Truck Accidents
With a jackknife truck accident, the semi-truck reaches a point of no return where the driver is going where the big rig points no matter what he does to try to control the tractor-trailer. The result can be devastating if a family is in the way of an out-of-control truck.
Should I Talk to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Adjuster after a Jackknife Truck Accident?
After a jackknife truck accident, engaging in direct communication with the trucking company’s insurance carrier is generally not recommended. It is important to keep in mind that their primary goal is often to protect their own interests, which may involve minimizing their own liability and minimizing any potential compensation that they might be entitled to. Communication with the insurance company might lead to them attempting to shift blame onto you for the accident or downplay the severity of any injuries sustained. It is crucial to remember that their main objective is to limit their financial responsibility and avoid taking full responsibility for the accident.
Seeking advice from a personal injury attorney specializing in trucking accidents can provide you with professional guidance on navigating these complex situations while ensuring your rights and interests are protected.
Our Experienced Jackknife Accident Attorneys in Houston
We have helped families who have lost loved ones in truck accidents with wrongful death cases for over 30 years and have a track record of success in serious injury and wrongful death claims.
Call us toll-free at 1 (866) 758-4529 for a free no-obligation consultation on a Texas semi-truck accident.