You may have heard of the term “jackknifed truck,” but may not know exactly what it means. Chances are that you have at least seen a jackknifed truck on the road or read a story in the news involving a jackknifed truck. So, what is exactly a jackknife truck accident?
In short, jackknifing occurs when a trailer bends or folds up on the vehicle pulling it, similar to the shape of a jackknife. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 10% of all truck fatalities involve a situation with a jackknifing truck. Approximately 90% of jackknifing accidents involve a tractor pulling a single trailer. Only 4% of combination truck non-occupant fatalities are connected with a jackknife situation. And of these jackknife fatalities, 83% involved a combination truck with a single trailer.According to a report from the NHTSA, as the weight of the large truck and its cargo increases, the odds of a rollover increase, but the odds of a jackknife decrease.
Conversely, as the length of a large truck increases, the odds of a rollover decrease, but the odds of a jackknife increase. What’s more, as the weight of the trailer decreases, the probability of jackknife increases. Jackknifing truck accidents often occur because the truck driver failed to use proper precautions when operating the vehicle. If you have been injured in a truck accident, The Pearce Law Firm can protect your rights.
Preventing Jackknifing Truck Accidents
Given the prevalence of jackknifing truck accidents and their propensity to cause fatalities, it is important to understand how to avoid these types of accidents. Driver prevention is key to reducing the number of jackknifing truck accidents. For example, drivers should:
- Check mirror often for possible trailer swings;
- Use extra caution when driving with an empty trailer; and
- Employ proper braking techniques, such as avoiding hard braking and swerving at the same time.
If a truck driver fails to properly operate the truck and causes a jackknifing truck accident, the truck driver may be liable for damages. Other situations that increase the likelihood of jackknifing truck accidents include speeding, poor weather, curved roads, and poor lighting.
Contact The Pearce Law Firm’s Philadelphia Truck Jackknife Accident Lawyer
As with all types of truck accidents, jackknifing truck accidents can cause serious damage to other drivers. If you or someone you know is involved in a jackknifing truck accident, it is important to reach out to an experienced truck accident attorney who can help you understand your rights. At The Pearce Law Firm, our Philadelphia Jackknifing truck accident attorneys will fight for your rights to make sure you recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact a truck accident attorney at The Pearce Law Firm for a free initial consultation. You can call us at (215) 557-8686 or visit our office at 14th Floor, 1429 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. We have experience helping truck accident victims in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania. Don’t wait before it is too late.
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