Springfield Tractor Trailer Jackknife Lawyer
Tractor trailer jackknife accidents can cause serious injuries to vehicle occupants on the road and substantial property damage when they happen. These types of crashes involve tractor trailers, also known as semi-trucks or big rigs, which are extremely large vehicles that can weigh much as 20 or 30 times as much as a passenger vehicle, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). As such, when these vehicles are involved in dangerous jackknife accidents, they can cause crush injuries to passengers in light trucks, SUVs, and cars, as well as devastating “underride” injuries when a passenger vehicle is pushed underneath the trailer. Whether a jackknife truck accident leads to debilitating or fatal injuries, it is critical to obtain legal help as soon as possible and to file a claim. Contact our experienced Springfield tractor trailer jackknife lawyer today for assistance.
What is a Tractor Trailer Jackknife Accident in Springfield?
What is a tractor trailer jackknife accident? This is a particular type of crash that really only occurs with semi-trucks where a trailer is attached. The term “jackknife” refers to the shape of a jackknife or pocket knife where the knife is folded outward, creating a “V” shape. In these types of crashes, the trailer attached to a semi pushes the semi in the opposite direction so that the trailer becomes nearly perpendicular to the semi on the front that hauls the trailer behind it.
Common Causes of Springfield Tractor Trailer Jackknife Accidents
When a tractor trailer jackknife accident occurs, it usually results from an issue that leads the trailer to push away from the semi or to swing outward in the other direction. Common causes of these crashes include:
- Improperly loaded trailer;
- Speeding;
- Improper braking;
- Drowsy or fatigued driving, which is especially common among large truck drivers;
- Attempting to turn without adequate space, or without properly slowing down;
- Hazardous driving conditions, like heavy rain, sleet, ice, or snow; and
- Defective tractor trailer parts, including defective braking.
When these crashes occur, the trailer can swing into passenger vehicles across multiple lanes, and can even strike passenger vehicles with enough weight and force that they’re pushed into oncoming traffic traveling in the opposite direction. Often, tractor trailer jackknife accidents are multi-vehicle accidents that occur on highways as well as local roads.
Liability for Tractor Trailer Jackknife Accidents in Springfield
Liability for a tractor trailer jackknife accident will depend on the cause of the crash. In many instances, an injured party may be able to sue more than one person or entity for damages. Parties who are commonly liability in these types of large truck accidents include, for example:
- Truck driver;
- Employees who improperly loaded the trailer, or the company that hired them to load the trailer;
- Truck driver’s employer;
- Designer of the defective brakes; or
- Manufacturer of the defective brakes.
Contact Patel Law, PC Today
If you or somebody in your family got hurt in a tractor trailer jackknife accident, it is important to discuss liability and compensation with an injury attorney. The legal team at Patel Law, PC can discuss your case with you and help you to file a claim for compensation. Contact our experienced Springfield tractor trailer jackknife lawyer today for more information about our services.
