Truck Wrecks: The Jackknife

The jackknife is one of the most dangerous accidents for drivers. A jackknife occurs when the trailer of a semi-truck swings up and into the cab of the truck like a blade closing into the handle of a knife. A truck can jackknife in any conditions, but jackknifes are particularly common during slippery weather.

Jackknife wrecks have claimed the lives of many truckers. When a wreck like this happens there are many particular dangers for the other drivers on the road. Because the truck is sliding, there is no way for the driver to control its path. The fact that the trailer has passed the front of the cab means that the center of gravity and weight distribution of the vehicle is changing by the second, and that it's even less predictable than a regular skid or slide.

Cars anywhere in the path of such a jackknifing truck are in very real danger, and their drivers and passengers face a serious risk of being killed. If you see the trailer on a semi start to move side to side, be sure to back off or get out of the way however you can. The best move is to pull over and let the vehicle continue on its way. The trucker, at the point that the trailer starts swaying, cannot do much to stop it. This is particularly true with semis that pull multiple trailers. If these rigs jackknife, the outcomes can be incredibly devastating.

If you have lost someone in such a wreck, whether they were a driver hit by the out of control truck or they were the trucker themselves, you may want to contact a wrongful death attorney. There are safety standards and regulations in place that should make these accidents much rarer than they are. A personal injury lawyer with experience working on semi crash cases can help you to take on the trucking company, no matter how large they are.

If you're on the road and the conditions are bad, remember that semis can go out of control in a second. Even though they look heavy and stable, they are still at the mercy of the elements. Do yourself a favor and give them a wide berth on bad roads.


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Rasanksy Law Firm is an award winning personal injury law firm based in Dallas, TX. If you feel that you need the help of an experienced attorney, contact Rasansky Law Firm today. Visit http://www.jrlawfirm.com or call 877-331-4156 for a free, no obligation case evaluation. The time to act is NOW!