Jackknife Accidents

San Antonio Jackknife Accident Attorney

Anytime you see a big rig accident on the roadway, you know there are likely serious injuries involved. One of the scariest types of accidents to be involved in is a jackknife accident with an 18-wheeler. These accidents seem to occur out of nowhere and in many cases, tractor-trailers tip over after jackknife incidents.

What is a Jackknife Accident?

When a truck has jackknifed, it means the body of the truck and the cab of the truck are at an angle to each other. Typically, the cab swings into the trailer. This term was coined because the action looks like a pocket jackknife.

Common Causes of Jackknife Accidents

In nearly all cases, a jackknife accident is caused by the big rig driver slamming on the brakes of the truck or making a sudden swerving motion to get out of the way of other vehicles. The cab of the truck stops but the trailer portion has too much momentum to stop completely and therefore swings sideways. Jackknife accidents can also be caused by:

  • Speeding tractor trailers
  • Operating an 18-wheeler unsafely on a curvy road
  • Road conditions that make it hard for a big rig to stop

These accidents are very dangerous, not only to the truck driver but also to drivers who may be sharing the roadways with big rigs. Not only can a car get caught up in the actual incident but if the truck tips over, there is also a possibility of a car being trapped underneath.

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Common Jackknife Accident Injuries

Reporting by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis states that nearly 10 percent of all big rig deaths are a result of a jackknife accident. Those who are not killed still face serious injuries including broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Victims are likely to face a long, painful recovery time and face mounting medical bills as well as time lost from work. This is a bad combination for any family to deal with.

Determining Fault in a Jackknife Accident

It’s easy to blame a big rig operator for an accident that occurred due to a jackknifing incident. However, the fact is they may not be entirely to blame. Defective brakes can lock up resulting in a truck jackknife, the truck may be poorly maintained or the driver may not have received sufficient training from their employer. To ensure the right parties are held accountable for your injuries after a jackknife accident, contact a San Antonio truck accident attorney at Eric Ramos Law.

Victims of a jackknife accident are likely to face long recovery times and steep medical bills. Depending on the severity of the injuries suffered, they could also be facing weeks or months away from work, require rehabilitation before getting back to their normal routine and in some cases, can face life-long problems because of the accident.

Contact a Jackknife Accident Attorney Today

Victims and their families need a big rig attorney who will serve as their advocate, investigate the accident and when necessary deal with unreasonable insurance adjusters who consider only the best interest of an insurance company. Contact a the Texas truck accident attorneys at Eric Ramos Law if you or a loved one has been involved in an 18-wheeler jackknife accident; our services won’t cost you a dime unless we’re successful in obtaining a settlement on your behalf. Call us today at (210) 404-HURT (4878) and schedule a free consultation.

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