Truck Accident Attorneys

Jackknifing

Jackknifing is one of the many hazards faced by truck drivers and car riders everywhere. It is the accidental folding of an articulated vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, to the degree that it resembles the acute angle of a pocket knife that folds.

The problem is particularly prevalent when the front portion of a cab skids. When the front portion of the 18-wheeler skids, the trailer can push it from behind until it spins around and faces backwards. This can be caused by:

• Equipment failure
• Improper braking
• Adverse road conditions (icy road surfaces, etc.)

Jackknifing, for all of its dangers, is not an exceptionally common problem. It typically only happens when the trailer or towed portion of the 18-wheeler is empty. Fortunately, the majority of truck drivers are skilled enough to correct a skid problem before it becomes a full jackknife situation.

It would be something of an exaggeration to claim that jackknifing accounts for a significant number of 18-wheeler accidents because in the majority of instances, a collision caused the vehicle to jackknife. Radio stations often report jackknifed trucks because other drivers report them. The majority of the time, however, the truck is just stuck in the snow or damaged in a crash.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler or other large vehicle, contact the truck accident attorneys of Williams Kherkher at 1-800-220-9341.