Common causes of jackknife truck accidents include speeding, sudden braking, and unbalanced cargo. Anything that causes the tractor or trailer to lose traction with the road can cause a jackknife truck accident.
In many cases, these accidents are the result of negligence on the part of the truck driver or trucking company. If you’ve been injured in a recent jackknife truck accident, you need to speak to a North Carolina truck accident lawyer about your options for financial compensation.
What Are Jackknife Accidents?
Jackknife accidents occur when the tractor and trailer of a semi-truck fold together, creating a sharp angle like a hinge. They’re called jackknife accidents as the angled V-shape is reminiscent of the shape of a folding butterfly jackknife.
According to FMCSA data on jackknife occurrence and crash severity, jackknife accidents cause over 100,000 injuries and 4,000 deaths per year on America’s roads. A further 300,000 crashes annually result in only property damage. Jackknife accidents can happen anywhere, but they are most common on high-speed highways and curved roads.
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Common Causes of Jackknife Accidents
Below are some of the most common causes of jackknife accidents in North Carolina.
Speeding
The average semi-truck weighs over 80,000 pounds. That much momentum is hard to stop once it gets going at highway speeds, especially if the driver makes sudden, sharp turns and maneuvers. The faster a truck is going, the more likely it is that the tractor-trailer will swing out from underneath the cabin and cause the truck to jackknife.
Taking Turns Too Fast
Trucks are extremely sensitive to making sharp turns. For this reason, there are strict engineering limits on how sharp interstate curves can be. The longer the curved angle and the faster the trucker takes it, the more likely that the trailer’s momentum will cause it to snap forward and fold.
Braking Too Quickly
Because trucks are so large, drivers must gradually brake to stop the tires from skidding across the road. When truck drivers slam the brakes too quickly while making a turn, it can cause the trailer tires to slide forward under their own momentum.
Unbalanced Cargo Loads
The FMCSA sets extremely strict rules for loading and securing cargo in semi-trucks. When cargo isn’t properly balanced or secured, it can shift during transport. The sudden shift in force can cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading the tractor to slide forward due to the momentum.
Tire Blowouts
Whether it’s due to defective tires or brakes, tire blowouts can cause trucks to jackknife. When tires blow out, the truck can start to drift to one side, causing the driver to overcorrect and lose control.
Empty Trailers
Semi-trailers that are full of cargo weigh more and so experience more traction with the road. When cargo trucks are empty, there’s less traction with the road, and the lighter trailer is more likely to skid and slide. Truck drivers must take extra care and modify their driving when trailers are empty.
Poor Road Conditions
Road conditions are another major factor underlying jackknife accidents. Standing water or ice can cause the back tires to slide forward when the truck brakes. Poor road conditions can cause the driver to swerve and lose control.
Liability for Jackknife Accidents
Liability for a jackknife accident depends largely on the root cause. If the accident happened due to negligent truck operation, then the truck driver can be responsible for your injuries. Truck drivers are held to a higher standard than other drivers and must follow specific rules regarding truck operation and inspections.
The trucking company can also be liable if it engaged in negligent business practices that led to the crash. For instance, if the company neglected to perform routine maintenance, it could be liable if a jackknife accident happened due to mechanical defects in tires. Alternatively, the company could be liable if it hired an unqualified truck driver.
If the jackknife accident happened because of poor road conditions, then the municipality charged with road design and maintenance can be liable. Sometimes, multiple parties can share responsibility for an accident; in that case, you could go after each one individually with a lawsuit.
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Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in North Carolina
Do you have more questions about the causes of jackknife truck accidents? If so, contact DeMayo Law Offices, and we can give you answers. Our team has recovered over $1 billion dollars in successful settlements and verdicts, including several multi-million dollar lawsuits for truck crash victims.
We understand the nuances of federal trucking regulations and know how to hold negligent trucking companies accountable for the harm they have caused. Contact us online or call today to speak to a personal injury lawyer in North Carolina from our firm.
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