As drivers, we share the roads with many other vehicles, including large commercial trucks. Semi-trucks are a necessity for delivering goods and products across the country. At the same time, trucks can be dangerous. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), more than 172,000 large-truck accidents occurred in the United States in 2024. Those accidents resulted in almost 5,000 fatalities. Accidents with large trucks can be serious. One of the most common causes or contributors to truck accidents is jackknifing.
What is Jackknifing?
A truck jackknifes when the cab portion of the truck travels in a different direction from the trailer. Trucks travel quickly, and they carry heavy loads, making them difficult to stop. When a truck tries to slow down too quickly, the cab may stop more quickly than the trailer. The forward momentum of the trailer keeps it moving, forcing the cab to pivot. When that happens, the driver has little control over the vehicle, and an accident may occur with other vehicles on the road.
What Triggers Jackknifing?
As with any accident, there are various factors that may contribute to a crash. A truck may jackknife more easily on wet or icy pavement when the driver tries to brake too quickly for conditions. When a driver tries to go through a curve too fast, the truck could jackknife. In some cases, the brake system is not functioning properly, resulting in problems with stopping the trailer. This can be the result of poor maintenance. Sometimes a shift in the cargo can make it difficult for the driver to control the truck.
Human factors may also play a role in jackknifing. Drivers may be inexperienced or poorly trained, so when they encounter unfamiliar situations, they may lose control. Speeding can be a contributing factor as well. If a truck is traveling too quickly, it may be unable to stop quickly. Drivers may also be distracted. Eating or drinking, watching a screen, texting, and driving while fatigued can all be considered forms of distracted driving.
Evidence in Truck Accidents
If you have been hurt in a truck accident, you will need to gather evidence to prove that the driver or trucking company was negligent. Commercial trucks are required by law to maintain an electronic logging device. This device is connected to the truck’s engine and automatically tracks driving time. Drivers must not drive more hours than allowed. Another important part of the evidence is obtaining the maintenance log for the truck. This will show whether the truck was properly maintained, as well as the last time repairs were made. Regular inspections, including air brake inspections, are required and, if not performed, could be proof that a driver or company knew that the truck had braking issues. New trucks have stability controls that may alert drivers to a potential jackknife; however, older trucks do not have this technology.
Early Investigation is Crucial
Conducting an early investigation and collecting data is an essential step necessary to prove negligence in your claim. In some instances, you may need to obtain a search warrant to get important information from the trucking company or owner. Trucking companies often have their own legal team that will immediately begin to mitigate after an accident. For that reason, you need to act quickly by seeking legal guidance as soon as possible. You want to make sure you have access to data before it can be lost or erased.
If you were hurt in a truck crash, you are likely facing difficult physical and emotional trauma. Severe injuries can change your life and cause financial problems. The responsible party must be held accountable. You may be owed compensation for your injuries and damages. To learn more, contact our legal team at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/electronic-logging-devices
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