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One of the most dangerous types of semi-truck accidents is when the truck jackknifes. Semi-truck accidents are some of the most dangerous of all types of motor vehicle accidents. In fact, in 2016, more than 3,800 people were killed as a result of a semi-truck accident according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. About one in ten highway accidents involve a large commercial truck.
A semi-truck jackknifes when the trailer of the semi skids in one direction while the cab goes in another direction. Frequently, the semi overturns because it is out of control. A jackknife semi-truck accident can happen in an instant. If you are following behind a semi when it jackknifes, you could be caught in a semi-truck accident in a heartbeat.
Semi-truck jackknife accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. One of the most common causes is that the truck is in need of brake maintenance or adjustment. When the brakes are not functioning as they should, it causes the axles to lock up, especially when braking hard. The truck then drags the trailer with locked brakes, pushing it out to the side of the cab.
Another cause for a semi-truck to jackknife is if the semi-truck driver is going too fast. Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. When a semi needs to brake quickly, it can become too much for the trailer to handle and thus the cab stops at a different rate than the trailer and causes the semi to jackknife.
Roads that are slippery can also cause a semi-truck to jackknife because the tires lose tracking and slide. The driver than is unable to gain control and thus a jackknife semi-truck accident occurs. Besides weather conditions, road curves or trying to maneuver around debris can also factor in a jackknife semi-truck accident.
If the semi-truck driver is inexperienced at handling such a large vehicle, a jackknife accident may occur. This is likely the case in many jackknife semi-truck accidents. An inexperienced driver or one who is simply fatigued and not able to handle the truck, often causes the semi to jackknife.
The semi truck accident attorneys or tractor trailer accident lawyers of Parke Gordon Law Firm can usually tell you over the phone if you have a good case. Don’t wait to call a truck accident attorney doing so could hurt your case. Call our law office now. We can help take the stress out of the claim and make sure you get every penny you are owed. Parke Gordon Law Firm offers a free consultation to discuss your truck accident case. The clients who have chosen our law firm love us and we think you will too. Take a minute to read over some of our client reviews to see the dedication of our semi truck accident attorneys.
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