Philadelphia Jackknife Truck Accident Attorneys

Jackknife Trucking Accidents

When a tractor trailer jackknifes, the cab and the trailer fold at their linkage point until it forms an acute angle, as with a folding knife, with the cab facing the opposite direction of the trailer. In such a situation, the driver of the truck would be unable to move the big rig, which would subsequently become stuck, usually across multiple lanes of traffic, which can cause additional accidents.

Causes of Tractor Trailer Jackknifing Accidents

Jackknifing may be caused by equipment failure, hazardous road conditions, improper braking, or other accidents. A truck driver may even intentionally jackknife their tractor trailer if brake failure prevents them from stopping.

Although equipment and brake failure can cause a jackknifing accident, oftentimes, they occur due to improper braking. If a truck driver is distracted and not paying attention to the road, they may slam on the brakes to avoid rear-ending stopping vehicles. This can unfortunately cause the trailer to skid and jackknife, potentially colliding with multiple vehicles in multiple lanes. Operating a truck while impaired by alcohol or drugs can also cause a jackknife trucking accident as alcohol and/or drugs would considerably slow a driver's reaction time.

Jackknife Trucking Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) 2009 Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts, there were 295,215 large truck accidents in 2009. Of these, 4,146 were jackknife accidents, including 3,000 that caused property damage, 1,000 that caused injury, and 146 that caused fatalities.

Due to the wide area that a jackknifing trucking accident covers, these types of accidents have the highest probability of causing multiple injuries and chain reaction accidents.

Liability in Pennsylvania Jackknife Trucking Accidents

The main causes of jackknifing accidents in Pennsylvania are improper braking, equipment failure, and hazardous road conditions. If you are involved in a jackknifed truck accident, various parties may be held responsible for the truck accident injuries, property damage, and other losses you have suffered.

• Braking appropriately and safely is the tractor trailer driver's responsibility. If they apply the brakes improperly, whether due to distraction, impairment, inexperience, or other negligible action, that truck driver, and potentially the trucking company, may be held liable.
• Equipment defects and/or equipment failure are often the result of poor truck manufacturing and improper vehicle maintenance. It is the truck manufacturer's responsibility to ensure that they are producing safe and good quality vehicles, and the truck company and truck driver's responsibility to ensure that the truck is repaired and maintained properly. If either of these parties does not fulfill their duty, then they may be held accountable for an accident.
• If the roadway is damaged and the city or state agency responsible for repairing and maintaining that road knows of the problem but doesn't fix it, then that agency or department may be held responsible for the losses and damages caused by a jackknife heavy truck accident. In cases of severe weather, the truck driver is responsible for operating their vehicle in a manner appropriate for the current conditions of the road. If their recklessness or negligence in such a situation causes an accident, then they may be held liable.

Getting the Compensation You Deserve

Suffering a Pennsylvania jackknife truck crash injury can create undue financial and emotional hardships for you and your family. Fortunately, you are not without legal recourse. The skilled Philadelphia jackknife trucking accident lawyers at Anapol Schwartz can help you hold at-fault parties liable for the financial and emotional losses and damages you have suffered as a result of your accident. Contact one of our experienced attorneys today to discuss your potential personal injury claim.

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