Jackknife Truck Accident: All You Need to Know
Jackknife truck accidents are just one of the many types of accidents that semi-trucks may be involved in. Areas like Denver, Colorado are especially prone to jackknife accidents due to a high volume of traffic and steep hills on the roadways.
These common truck accidents can sometimes result in vehicles being crushed between the truck and trailer. They often result in severe or catastrophic injuries. If you have been hurt in one of these accidents, you could be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Dive into all the details below to learn everything you need to know about jackknife truck accidents.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
A jackknife truck accident occurs when the trailer swings around and forms a sharp angle with the cab. The term originates from the shape of a jackknife, or pocket knife. When open, the blade and handle are straight like a truck and trailer should be. However, as the knife is being closed, the blade swings around and forms a sharp angle with the handle.
What Causes Most Jackknife Accidents?
Jackknife accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the accident results solely from the driver’s error or inexperience, while weather or road conditions may play a role in other cases.
Some of the most common causes of jackknife accidents are:
- Hard or Sudden Braking: Applying the brakes on an 18-wheeler too hard can have devastating consequences. Similarly, a sudden application of the brakes can cause the trailer tires to slide. These scenarios can cause the trailer to swing around in front of the cab and lead to a devastating jackknife accident.
- Speeding: Speeding is one of the leading causes of jackknife accidents. Big trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and excessive speed can cause many different types of accidents. A fully loaded trailer may start traveling faster than the cab of the truck, especially on a steep downhill grade like the ones in Denver.
- Not Enough Room to Maneuver: Traffic congestion makes it difficult on truck drivers, and tight spaces present plenty of driving challenges. A truck driver, especially inexperienced ones, might try to turn or maneuver too sharply in tight spaces. This situation can cause the trailer and cab to slam into each other, and the result is a jackknife accident.
- Wet or Slippery Roads: Weather conditions can have a big impact on the likelihood of an accident. Wet or icy roads can quickly lead to jackknife accidents, especially when the truck driver is not 100% focused on driving.
- Equipment Failure: Jackknife accidents are not always the driver’s fault. In some situations, brakes, suspension, tires, or other equipment may fail. While some of these accidents may be unavoidable, there could be some cases in which the equipment failed due to poor maintenance.
What Can I Recover if I am in a Jackknife Accident? Who Is Responsible For My Injuries in a Jackknife Accident?
Unfortunately, jackknife accidents result in many injuries each year. Accident victims may be entitled to recover financial compensation for their damages, including both their economic damages as well as their non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate victims for their financial losses, while non-economic damages provide compensation for the physical and emotional trauma you endured.
Some common examples of damages in jackknife accidents are:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage (car repairs)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to explain how much your case is worth and what compensation you can receive.
Who Is Responsible For My Injuries in a Jackknife Accident?
Since Colorado is an at-fault state, the person or business responsible for the accident is responsible for the resulting damages. Liability in jackknife accidents can sometimes get complicated because there can be multiple defendants involved in these cases.
Some parties who may be responsible for your damages include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- Equipment manufacturers
- Truck maintenance provider
- Other vehicle drivers
The best way to hold the responsible party accountable is to seek the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer. Your lawyer can help investigate your accident to determine all the potential defendants. Additionally, they can assess the available insurance companies and help make sure that you are fully and fairly compensated for your injuries.
Contact our Denver Truck Accident Attorneys at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers in Denver. Call us at (720) 613 9706
For more information, please contact the Denver truck accident lawyers at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a Denver personal injury lawyer.
We are located in Denver, CO, proudly serving all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120.
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
About The Author
Kurt Zaner has earned national recognition for his innovative legal strategies, securing some of the largest verdicts in Colorado. He assists injured clients in Denver with personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and more. Click here to view some of the fantastic case results that Zaner Law has successfully handled.
Location: Denver, CO
