North Carolina Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyers

What is a Jackknife Accident and Why Do They Happen?

There are thousands of trucks on the road every day in America, so it’s inevitable that accidents happen from time to time. However, when the accident occurs because of the truck driver’s negligence or because of poorly maintained equipment on the truck, victims have a right to file a claim and be compensated for their injuries.

Although there are many ways things can go wrong on the road for drivers of big trucks, one of the most dangerous and scary types of accidents is called a jackknife accident. A jackknife truck accident occurs when a tractor-trailer skids or breaks suddenly, resulting in the trailer skidding out to one side. The result is that the head of the truck and the trailer form a 90-degree angle that looks like a checkmark or a jackknife. Despite the colorful imagery, there’s nothing pretty about a truck jackknifing on the road.

Listed below are some of the most common reason jackknife accidents happen in North Carolina:

• High speeds. Because of their immense size and weight, trucks need more time and space to come to a stop than your average vehicle. When a truck traveling at high speeds is forced to make a sudden stop, the brakes can lock, causing the driver to lose control. This may lead to a potential jackknife accident.
• Vehicle failures. Brake failures are responsible for a large percentage of trucking accidents, including jackknife accidents. Because trucks travel so many miles, the vehicle’s brakes need to be properly maintained and checked regularly. Failure to do so could be viewed as negligence.
• Road or weather conditions. Rain and snowstorms can cause slippery, dangerous driving conditions. When a truck’s tires lose traction with the road, the trailer can skid and set up a potential jackknife situation.
• Winding roads. Curvy and winding roads require extra caution for any type of driver. But truck drivers must be extra careful and use slow speeds. When drivers go too fast around a curve, the risk is that the trailer will swing out to one side, causing a jackknife accident.
• Distracted driving. Trucks are extremely large and heavy, but that does not mean they’re slow. If a truck driver takes their mind or eyes off the road for just a moment, traveling at highway speed, they can go the length of a football field in five seconds without seeing the road. There are a number of ways truckers can get distracted on the road, including texting, eating, or watching videos. When distracted driving causes them to lose control and they must brake or turn suddenly, jackknife accidents can be the result.

When jackknife accidents occur between trucks and regular passenger vehicles, they can have dire consequences for the occupants of the smaller car. Injuries suffered from jackknife truck accidents can be severe and sometimes life-changing. In the worst-case scenarios, accidents can lead to fatalities. In cases such as these, family members should contact a wrongful death attorney in North Carolina for assistance with filing a claim.

Listed below are some of the most common types of injuries suffered in jackknife accidents in North Carolina:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Broken and dislocated bones
• Deep bruising
• Facial disfigurement
• Amputation
• Traumatic brain injury
• Wrongful death

In the event you or someone you care about is injured or killed in an accident involving a commercial truck, you should contact a jackknife accident law firm in North Carolina as soon as possible. An attorney can help you determine who was at fault and help you begin the claim process. Contact DeMayo Law Offices at (877) 333-1000 for a free consultation. Our jackknife accident attorneys can help you fight for the compensation you need.