Jackknife Truck Accidents in Seguin

Jackknife truck accidents in Seguin are among the most terrifying kinds of traffic accidents. They frequently involve multiple vehicles and end up causing devastating injuries to the occupants of those other vehicles.

When a jackknife crash injures you or causes you to lose a loved one, you deserve help. A knowledgeable semi-truck collision attorney can meet with you to review the details of your case and determine if you have viable grounds to pursue legal action. With the assistance of a skilled legal team, you can pursue justice for what you have lost.

Understanding Jackknives

A jackknife truck accident is specific to tractor-trailer trucks that have cabs and attached trailers. In a jackknife wreck, the truck’s trailer does not follow the cab correctly. The truck’s cab slows or comes to a full stop while the trailer continues moving, forcing the trailer to shift direction and swing out to the side of the truck’s cab. The trailer and cab end up in a V or L shape, resembling an open pocketknife. When the trailer slides and swings out, it can sweep across multiple lanes of traffic, potentially resulting in injuries to many people.

Dedicated legal counsel in Seguin can help an injured person evaluate their injuries after a jackknife crash to seek an adequate damages award.

How Do Jackknife Accidents Happen?

Trucks can jackknife when drivers apply their brakes too hard, causing the cab’s brakes to lock up as the trailer keeps moving forward. This frequently happens due to:

Driver Inexperience

Inexperienced and new truck drivers are not as familiar with how to handle large commercial vehicles. They might not know when they need to start applying the brakes to make a truck stop. When a jackknife starts to happen, experienced drivers can sometimes prevent a catastrophe by accelerating to regain control of the truck instead of applying more pressure to the brakes. Trucking companies should hire experienced drivers and provide new employees with on-the-job training so they know what to do in emergency situations like jackknives.

Distracted Driving

Truck drivers who are on their cell phones or paying attention to something other than what is happening on the road might not notice changes in traffic patterns. If a trucker does not notice that the traffic ahead of them is slowing down, they might need to make a sudden stop, which can cause their truck to jackknife.

Reckless Driving Behaviors

Truck drivers who drive recklessly are more apt to create a jackknife situation. When a trucker engages in risky behavior—such as driving in dangerous weather conditions, speeding, tailgating, or taking turns too fast—they risk their own life and the lives of others sharing the road with them.

Equipment Failures

Even a responsible trucker can jackknife if their equipment is faulty. Some jackknives occur due to a trucking company’s failure to regularly service their vehicles.

A qualified legal team in Seguin can investigate a specific jackknife incident to determine what went wrong and who is legally at fault.

Call a Seguin Attorney About Jackknife Trucking Crashes

Jackknife truck accidents in Seguin can have a devastating aftermath. You might face long-term or even permanent physical and emotional harm. A well-versed local lawyer with a proven track record of helping people get the compensation they deserve is here for you.

Call to set up an initial consultation today.

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