One of the most common and dangerous truck accidents is the jackknife accidents. These types of accidents occur when the trailer swings outward, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab. When the driver loses control of his or her truck and it jackknifes across multiple lanes of traffic, the results can be disastrous – the truck may hit other drivers as it swings out and other vehicles may not be able to react quickly enough to avoid an imminent collision. Accidents like these have the potential to cause serious injury and fatalities.

What Causes a Truck to Jackknife?

Jackknife truck accidents can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Speeding: Sudden changes in speed are a leading cause of jackknife accidents. Trucks need a great deal more stopping distance than passenger vehicles. Driving too fast and then attempting to abruptly brake can easily cause the driver to lose control.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, sleet, and wind can make it difficult for trucks to maintain traction on the road. Truck drivers must go slow and avoid making sudden turns or stops. Failure to exercise caution in unsafe weather could increase the risk of a jackknife accident.
• Reckless Driving Behaviors: Making unsafe lane changes or stopping suddenly could lead to a jackknife accident. Truck drivers owe a duty of care to others on the road. This involves obeying all federal and state traffic laws and driving in a reasonably safe manner. Reckless or aggressive driving puts everyone on the road at risk for a crash. Truck drivers must avoid tailgating, speeding, turning too sharp, or weaving between lanes of traffic.
• Unsafe driving for current weather conditions: Truck drivers need to drive with increased diligence in adverse weather conditions like rain or snow. Failing to slow down and increase their following distance when the weather is less-than-ideal greatly increases the chances of a wreck.
• Improperly-loaded trailers: A trailer that is overloaded or unevenly loaded can increase the chance that it will jackknife due to excessive weight and/or a shift in the trailer’s center of gravity.
• Distracted driving: Distractions like making phone calls, texting, or eating while driving are notorious for causing jackknife truck accidents that injure and kill innocent people.
• Drowsy driving: Because truck drivers drive long hours and sometimes don’t take their required rest breaks, drowsy driving is a leading culprit behind many truck accidents. Drowsy drivers have decreased reaction times, often leading to the abrupt braking that causes jackknife accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a jackknife accident, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. Contact a Brooklyn jackknife truck accident lawyer at Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices to request a free case evaluation.