Jackknife truck accidents are often some of the worst accidents that happen on New Jersey freeways. When semi-trucks jackknife, drivers quickly lose control of their vehicles, leading to potentially catastrophic accidents and debilitating injuries.
If you were involved in a jackknife truck accident, you might be facing significant expenses and a long road to recovery. Learn what to do after this type of semi-truck accident and how an experienced attorney can assist you.
How Do Jackknife Truck Accidents Occur?
A jackknife truck accident occurs when a semi-trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle from the tractor cab while in motion. Jackknifing is extremely dangerous and very difficult for a truck driver to recover from.
Jackknifing can happen for a few different reasons:
- Sudden braking: One of the more common causes of jackknifing is sudden or improper braking. When a semi driver brakes suddenly, the momentum of the trailer might cause it to swing out to the side while the cab continues traveling forward.
- Improper loading: If the trailer was loaded improperly and bears more weight on one side than the other, the truck’s stability can suffer, increasing the chances of a jackknife truck accident.
- Adverse road conditions: Icy or wet road conditions can cause the truck to lose traction, leading the trailer to slide to one side when the driver brakes.
- Speeding: Making sharp turns or other sudden movements, such as when a driver is speeding, can also cause the truck to jackknife.
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers operating their vehicles while fatigued may not react quickly enough to sudden slowdowns or stops, leading to improper braking that can cause the trailer to swing out.
- Mechanical failure: Brake malfunctions and tire issues can also affect the vehicle’s alignment.
Determining Liability in a Jackknife Crash
It may initially seem obvious that the semi-truck driver is liable for a jackknife accident. However, several parties might be liable or share liability with the driver. These may include the following:
- The trucking company: Truck companies sometimes assume vicarious liability for their drivers. They might also be directly liable if they failed to properly maintain the vehicle or forced their driver to work without adequate training or rest.
- The truck manufacturer: The manufacturer might be liable for a vehicle malfunction that caused the jackknife truck accident.
- The cargo loading company: The party responsible for loading the cargo into the truck may share liability if it does its job improperly and causes the trailer to become unstable.
The insurance company will investigate the trailer swing accident to make a fault determination. It might assign a percentage of the fault to multiple parties. Work with an experienced attorney to understand how to navigate an insurance claim or lawsuit involving multiple liable parties. An experienced New Jersey car accident lawyer can help you with this process.
Steps To Take After a Jackknife Truck Accident
Jackknife truck accidents can quickly produce life-altering injuries and catastrophic levels of damage. If you were involved in this type of accident, the steps you take in the days immediately following the crash can significantly affect your legal process. Generally, following these steps is a good idea after an articulated truck collision; however, it is advisable to consult an attorney for more personalized guidance.
- Call the police: The police need to be aware of the accident to help direct traffic around the accident scene, create an accident report, and generally assist with the aftermath of the crash. You will likely need emergency medical services at the scene as well. Call 911 if you are able to in the wake of the accident.
- Document the accident scene: If you can safely do so, take photos and videos of the accident scene and request the contact information of any witnesses. This documentation can serve as evidence in your insurance claim or potential legal action.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you initially feel okay after the accident, seeking medical attention is important. It can provide you with documentation that directly ties any injuries to the accident.
- Consult an accident attorney: Jackknife truck accidents can be complicated and involve multiple parties. Working with an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer may be helpful as you explore the compensation process.
Seek Legal Assistance for Commercial Vehicle Wrecks
If you were involved in a truck rollover or jackknife truck accident, a seasoned legal professional can help you determine how to proceed. At The Law Offices of Peter N. Davis and Associates, LLC, we represent victims of semi-truck accidents across New Jersey.
Our goal is to protect clients’ rights and help them seek justice. We’ve represented over 14,000 clients in the past 35 years and have extensive experience with a wide range of semi-truck accident cases.
We are available 24/7 to speak with you and schedule a free case evaluation about your case, our experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer is here to support you. Call (973) 279-7246(973) 279-7246 for assistance. Our goal is to protect your rights and seek justice for you.
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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
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