Truck jackknifing can have devastating consequences – you’ve seen in movies the destruction that a massive vehicle’s trailer can cause when it swings on the road. The real-life consequences of jackknife truck accidents are equally scary and tragic.
Because of the way such accidents happen, most people assume that the truck driver is always to blame. Is this really the case? Some crashes can be a bit more difficult to explain, which is why partnering up with an experienced Ohio commercial vehicle accident lawyer is so important.
How Do Jackknife Truck Accidents Occur
Truck jackknifing is a type of accident that only occurs with semi-trucks and tractor-trailers. Due to circumstances, the cab and the trailer can start moving independently. The trailer or tractor portion of the vehicle may sway, fold inward, or topple. Because of its massive size and weight, it can cause incredible devastation.
There are two common types of jackknife accidents:
- Whenever the tires lock up and the trailer continues moving, the direction it will go in cannot be controlled by the driver. The trailer will swing sideways.
- If the tires lock up but the momentum of the back persists, the whole truck will continue moving forward.
Such locking of the tires can occur for various reasons:
- A failure of truck equipment like the brakes
- Weather conditions
- Poor road conditions
- Intentional or reckless actions undertaken by the truck driver (speeding, for example)
- Poor maintenance of the vehicle and its most important systems
- Errors when loading the cargo or surpassing weight limits
How Common Are Jackknife Accidents?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) annual data suggests that in a given year, over 2,000 fatalities on the road occur because of truck jackknifing accidents.
Even when they don’t cause fatalities, jackknife truck accidents are incredibly dangerous. The size and weight of the commercial vehicle can cause extensive damage involving multiple other traffic participants.
A trailer that swings uncontrollably can travel a long distance before it eventually stops. It will collide with anything that gets in its way and it will easily crush smaller objects. Because of the movement of the uncontrollable trailer, especially if it happens during a busy time of the day, many additional accidents can occur while drivers are attempting to avoid the massive obstacle.
Jackknife accidents aren’t as uncommon as some people consider them to be. According to FMCSA, about five percent of all truck collisions are jackknife accidents.
Establishing Fault in an Ohio Jackknife Collision
While in some instances the driver is to blame for a truck accident, jackknife collisions can be more complex to investigate.
As the victim, you have the burden of proof that the truck crash caused property damages, injuries, or death. The party responsible for these could be the driver, the company that owns the truck, or even the mechanic responsible for truck maintenance.
Ohio has a fault-based legal system. The entity responsible for causing a crash has to cover all damages through its insurance. Contributory fault, however, is also a thing. If your actions somehow contributed to the collision, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of responsibility you have for the crash.
Because of these specifics, consulting an Ohio car accident lawyer after being hit in a jackknife accident matters. Together, you’ll go over the evidence and the documentation to determine the strength of the case and file the personal injury claim.
In some instances, it’s even possible to hold several parties accountable for the collision. The inspector who checked the truck’s condition, the company responsible for cargo loading, and even other drivers on the road at the time of the jackknife accident could be held accountable.
Get Legal Help from an Ohio Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer!
Being injured or losing your car in a jackknife accident will impact your life. You’re entitled to sufficient compensation to help you cover the losses and get back to your normal life.
An experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer will work on your behalf, preparing the claim and negotiating with the insurance company to obtain a satisfactory settlement.
Call 844-853-7373 now and let our experienced lawyers review your case for free.
