Roderick C. Lopez | February 23, 2025 | Truck Accidents
Jackknife truck accidents are some of the most dangerous types of crashes involving large commercial vehicles. They happen when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming a sharp angle with the cab, similar to a folding pocket knife. These accidents can cause severe injuries, major property damage, and problematic traffic disruptions.
What Is Jackknifing A Trailer?
Jackknifing occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out of alignment with the cab, sometimes to an extreme angle. It can happen suddenly and is hard for drivers to control. A trailer is most likely to jackknife when it is moving too fast on a slippery surface, or the driver brakes improperly or makes a sharp turn.
When a truck jackknifes, it can block several lanes of traffic, increase the risk of rollovers, and put nearby vehicles in danger. Given the size of these vehicles, a jackknifed 18-wheeler can lead to multi-vehicle pile-ups and life-threatening injuries.
Common Causes Of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknifing doesn’t happen randomly. It’s usually the result of specific conditions or driver actions, such as the following:
Sudden Or Hard Braking
Large trucks need a lot more time and space to slow down than an average-sized car. If the driver hits their brakes too hard, the trailer can lose traction while the cab slows down, causing the trailer to swing out of control.
Slippery Or Wet Roads
Rain, ice, snow, and even loose gravel can make roads slippery. If the truck’s tires lose traction, the trailer can slide and potentially swing out in a wide arc. Wet roads in Laredo, especially during heavy rainstorms, increase this risk.
Speeding Around Curves
Curved roads and highway ramps require careful handling, and even more so when handling a large commercial vehicle. If the driver takes a turn too fast, the trailer may drift and cause a jackknife situation.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
If the cargo inside a trailer is unevenly distributed or overloaded, it can shift without warning while the truck is in motion. Such a shift can throw off the vehicle’s balance and cause a jackknife accident.
Equipment Failure
Faulty brakes, worn-out tires, and damaged suspension systems can make it harder for truck drivers to control their vehicles, increasing the risk of a jackknife accident.
Driver Fatigue Or Distraction
Long hours behind the wheel can cause drivers to become fatigued and slow their reaction times. If they’re distracted or drowsy, they might brake too late or fail to adjust to road conditions, making a jackknife accident more likely.
Sudden Swerving To Avoid Obstacles
Quick, sharp movements can make a trailer swing out unpredictably. If a truck driver swerves abruptly to avoid another vehicle, an animal, or debris in the road, they risk losing control of their trailer.
Injuries Caused By Jackknifed 18-Wheeler Accidents
When a semi truck jackknifes and crashes into other vehicles, the damage can be catastrophic. These accidents often take place at high speeds, increasing the severity of the resulting injuries, which can include the following:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The impact of a jackknife accident can cause drivers and passengers to hit their heads on the dashboard, windows, steering wheel, or other surfaces in the car, causing concussions or more severe brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can result in long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The intense force of a jackknife crash can lead to spinal injuries and sometimes cause partial or complete paralysis. Victims with these injuries often need lifelong medical care, rehab, and assistive devices or home modifications.
Broken Bones
The sheer force of the impact can lead to broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and even the skull. Recovery can take months and may require extensive surgery.
Internal Bleeding And Organ Damage
Blunt force trauma from a collision can cause internal bleeding or damage to the liver, spleen, lungs, and other vital organs. This is a life-threatening situation that demands immediate medical attention.
Whiplash And Neck Injuries
Sudden jerking motions can put severe strain on the neck and back. This can lead to a bad case of whiplash, which can give rise to chronic pain and mobility problems.
Burns And Lacerations
If the accident causes a fire or explosion, the victims could be badly burned. Moreover, shattered glass and twisted metal can cause deep cuts and lacerations.
Fatalities
Unfortunately, jackknife truck accidents are often deadly, especially to those in smaller passenger vehicles. The immense size and weight of an 18-wheeler make these accidents particularly perilous.
How To Prevent Jackknife Truck Accidents
While it’s impossible to foresee every accident, truckers and other drivers can take certain precautions to reduce the risk of jackknifing.
For truck drivers:
- Slow down gradually and avoid slamming on the brakes
- Reduce your speed in bad weather and on curved roads
- Keep a safe following distance to allow for controlled stops
- Regularly inspect your vehicle’s brakes, tires, and suspension
- Make sure your cargo is evenly distributed and properly secured
For other drivers:
- Stay out of trucks’ blind spots
- Give large trucks plenty of space, especially on highways
- Avoid cutting off trucks since they need more distance to stop
- Be cautious when driving near semi trucks when the weather is bad
By being aware of the risks and practicing defensive driving techniques, it’s possible to prevent many jackknife accidents.
Trucking companies should make sure their drivers are trained to handle dangerous road conditions, while drivers of ordinary vehicles should be mindful of how large trucks operate. The more informed motorists are, the safer the roads will be for everyone.
The Serious Risks Of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknife truck crashes are incredibly dangerous and often cause life-altering injuries. Regardless of what causes them, these accidents put all road users at risk. Understanding what jackknifing is and how to avoid it can help reduce the chances of being caught up in a crash.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a jackknifed truck in Laredo, it’s critical to know your legal options. By holding the responsible parties accountable, you can get the financial support you need for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
Contact the Laredo Truck Accidents Attorneys at Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers. Call Us at (956) 529-7336
If you were injured in an accident in Laredo, TX, and need legal help, contact our Laredo truck accidents lawyers at Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review today.
We are located in Laredo, TX, proudly serving Webb County and surrounding areas. We are located in Laredo, Texas.
Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers
6557 Metro Court, Suite 1 Laredo, TX 78041
(956) 529-7336
