Jackknife Truck Accidents In Arizona
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,889 trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2017. Accidents that involve large commercial trucks can be very dangerous and fall into a few different categories including rollovers, head-on collisions, underride accidents, and rear-end collisions. However, one of the most dangerous types of truck accidents to be involved in is a jackknife truck accident. These accidents can cause serious life-threatening injuries and massive property damage due to the weight of the truck.
Jackknife accidents occur when a large truck and its trailer skid and the trailer swings outward to form a 90-degree angle. Most of the time trucks are unable to get out of this position without help. Most vehicles don’t have enough time to stop or maneuver around the trailer so a collision occurs.
Causes Of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Weather Conditions: When large commercial trucks are being driven in poor weather conditions, they oftentimes lose traction, which can cause the weight to shift and result in the trailer sliding. This can cause a jackknife accident to occur because the trailer loses its traction. Truck drivers need to travel at a safe speed during poor road conditions rather than the posted speed limit.
Speeding: When large trucks are speeding, it is more difficult for them to come to a complete stop. When they are required to slam on their breaks, the trailer could start swinging out of control to cause a jackknife accident.
Equipment Failure: One of the most common causes of truck accidents is brake failure. This type of failure could cause loss of control of the entire trailer causing it to sway into other lanes on the highway. This could cause a serious accident if the driver can’t get control of the whole trailer.
Braking Suddenly: If the truck driver is in a situation where they have to brake suddenly, the vehicle could start to swing into other lanes because the trailer itself weighs several tons. It is hard for commercial trucks to stop suddenly and keep their trailer from swaying into other lanes.
Steep Curves: It is very dangerous for large commercial trucks to travel up steep angled roads. The trailer has a higher chance of swinging out on curved roads because the truck has to maneuver in tighter spaces and that could cause the rig to fold in.
Finding An Arizona Truck Accident Attorney
After a jackknife accident occurs, individuals could be left feeling hopeless with serious injuries. If you or someone you know has suffered injuries due to a jackknife truck accident, consult with a truck accident attorney to explore all of your legal options. It is important to reach out to a phoenix attorney at ELG as soon as possible to resolve your case and recover compensation. Our knowledgeable team of Phoenix attorneys at ELG wants to help you recover the compensation you deserve. We will fight for your legal rights. Contact us today at (623) 877-3600 to find out how our truck accident attorneys at ELG can assist you at either Phoenix or Mesa Arizona law offices.
