The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over 250,000 trucks were involved in accidents in 2010. Truck collisions can be divided into several categories such as rear-end collisions, rollover crashes and underride accidents. One of the most dangerous types of truck accidents to be in is a jackknife truck accident. While circumstances vary by accident, it is not uncommon for jackknife truck collisions to cause severe injuries and property damage.
If a tractor pulling a trailer skids, the trailer can push the tractor from behind until it spins around, causing the vehicle to face backwards. These crashes are referred to as a jackknife accident due to their resemblance of a folding pocket knife. Since the cab is facing the opposite direction of the trailer, it is impossible to move the cab and the truck becomes stuck on the road. Other vehicles on the road may not have enough time to maneuver around the truck, causing the vehicles to collide into the truck. Adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog, sleet and snow increase a trucks chances of jackknifing.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a jackknife truck accident at no fault of your own, you may be eligible for legal and financial recourse. Contact a Tennessee truck accident lawyer to explore your legal rights.
To schedule a free, no obligation legal consultation, complete the contact form on this page.
Causes of Jackknife Truck Crashes
Jackknife truck accidents in Tennessee can be caused by a number of factors. Listed below are some common causes of a jackknife accident:
- Speeding- A truck that is traveling at unsafe speeds could cause a truck to jackknife.
- Stopping Suddenly- When a truck that weighs several tons, abruptly slams its brakes, the truck is at risk of jackknifing.
- Driver Error- A truck driver that tries to brake and swerve simultaneously can cause a semi-truck to jackknife.
- Improperly Adjusted Brakes- An unloaded truck can jackknife, if the vehicles brakes are not adjusted properly. Occasionally, a truck driver will travel for miles with soft brakes, which can be a sign of brake failure. If a driver does not attend to brakes in a timely manner, the truck can jackknife.
Tennessee Truck Accident Lawsuits
Jackknife truck accidents can critically injure drivers and passengers. If the collision was caused by the truck drivers negligent actions, the injury victim may be eligible to receive compensation for:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Ambulatory expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and Suffering
If you lost a loved one in a jackknife truck accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.
To schedule a case evaluation with an experienced wrongful death attorney, fill out the Free Case Review form.
Contact Knoxville Injury Law Firm
Injury victims should seek legal counsel immediately after an accident. A skilled attorney can pinpoint the possible cause of the crash. Additionally, a seasoned attorney will know how to collect evidence and interview key witnesses to build a strong case.
If you were injured in a Knoxville jackknife truck accident, you may have grounds for legal action. Contact Greg Coleman Law today to schedule a free case review. Their attorneys have the knowledge and resources to successfully litigate truck accident cases.
For additional information about the legal rights afforded to injury victims, complete the contact form on the right.
