Jackknifing is the loss of control of the trailer which usually ends up with the trailer at a sharp angle to the tractor. Once the trailer gets to a certain angle there is a "point of no return" for the truck driver-he is at that point along for the ride. The danger to the public is very great when a 50 to 80 thousand pound truck is out of control at highway speeds.
Jackknife accidents are very common it truck accident lawsuits and only second to rear end collisions in our experience. Many times the trailer ends up blocking the roadway while spinning at 50 plus miles per hour down the interstate. The result is sometimes literally cutting the top off the oncoming vehicles, which had no real chance of escaping the danger. The injuries in such cases are usually fatal.
Issues relevant to the jackknife truck case can be driver training, improper operation, improper loading, bad brakes or poor application of brakes, the mechanical condition of the tractor or trailer and the match of tractor to trailer.
We have been successful in pursuit of maintenance companies as well as other companies responsible for loading of the trucks in obtaining justice for the victims families in truck accident cases.
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