Jackknife Truck Accidents

Sometimes car and truck accidents happen because of unique and unexpected situations. In many of situations, a trucker is responsible for the crash because of their carelessness, recklessness, or intentional disregard for safety. Jackknife truck accidents often happen because a trucker pulled an inappropriate maneuver or failed to anticipate and handle road or traffic conditions appropriately. This negligence gives you the right to pursue compensation for your injuries.

To discuss your rights and options after a collision with a jackknifed truck, call our Wisconsin personal injury lawyers at Studinski Law, LLC at (715) 343-2850.

Jackknife Truck Accidents

The term “jackknifing” refers to an event that happens to an articulated truck – which means one with a cab, attached trailer, and a pivot point between them – when it folds in on itself. The specific trucking-industry term comes from the truck’s resemblance to a folding blade. In jackknife accidents, the trailer swings too far right or left and come toward the cab, creating a “V” shape. This sometimes happens when a semi-truck’s wheels lock up while wet or slick road conditions enable the trailer to keep moving forwards. The inertia forces the trailer to jackknife and continues moving, usually toward the cab.

Causes of Jackknifed Truck Accidents

Jackknife accidents do not usually occur in fair weather conditions with skilled truckers behind the wheel. People with their commercial driver’s licenses who are trained to operate articulated trucks should understand how to avoid this type of accident. Jackknife truck accidents are generally preventable.

Some common causes of jackknife accidents include:

• Driver error
• Equipment or system failure
• A defective part or assembly
• Poor weather or road conditions
• Careless braking practices
• Driver fatigue
• Drunk driving
• Inadequate trucker training or qualifications
• Over-loaded or improperly loaded trailers

Jackknifing May Lead to Rollover Accidents

Jackknifing can happen when a truck is moving at high speeds, like on a highway, or when a truck heads downhill. When a trailer begins to swing toward the cab at a high speed, a rollover accident is more likely. Rollover truck accidents are particularly dangerous and often lead to a great amount of property damage, bodily injuries, and fatalities.

If a truck jackknifing led to a rollover accident that caused your injuries, speak with an experienced Wisconsin personal injury lawyer today. It is common for these types of accidents to be caused by trucker negligence, which gives you the right to seek compensation from the trucker, the trucking company, and potentially others.

Truckers Can Avoid Jackknifing

Jackknifing is a serious risk when driving semi-trucks. Truckers should be trained in how to handle various situations and road conditions to avoid jackknife accidents. They should follow various techniques to keep control of their trucks, including:

• Slowly braking over a long distance when possible
• Braking prior to beginning a turn or navigating a curve
• Not braking and swerving at the same time
• Driving in the direction of the skid instead of braking against it

If the trucker responsible for the accident that led to your injuries did not understand how to avoid jackknifing or knew and failed to adhere to these best practices, then this may be evidence of negligence to support your claim for compensation. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you gather proof of the trucker’s inexcusable ignorance or negligence.

Pursuing Compensation After a Jackknife Truck Accident

Through the discovery process, you may be able to gather strong evidence that the trucker, motor carrier, or another party’s negligence was a cause of your injuries. With evidence supporting your claim, you can negotiate a more advantageous settlement with an insurance company or prove your right to compensation and your damages before a judge or jury.

You may be able to obtain compensation for the following past and future expenses:

• Wrongful death
• Medical costs
• Wage loss
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of earning capacity
• Loss of society and companionship
• Property damage

Contact Our Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyers Today

If you were injured in an accident with a jackknifed semi, do not hesitate to call us at Studinski Law, LLC for help. You deserve to hold the negligent trucker or trucking company responsible for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries. It should not be up to you to handle all of the consequences of this accident yourself.

We will do everything in our power to gather evidence on your behalf and fight for your right to compensation. Call us today at (715) 343-2850 to discuss your situation and options.