Jack Knife Trucking Accidents
Jack knife accidents can be a deadly occurrence on roads and interstates. These happen when a large truck skids, causing the trailer to swing out and form a 90 degree angle with the cab. These accidents are even more likely during inclement weather, when the wheels reach a slick spot and the trailer tends to keep rolling forward. For an oncoming driver, what results is a semi truck and tractor trailer skidding across the interstate, across the path of all oncoming traffic. These notorious accidents can be especially devastating because they can cause multiple car pile-ups on the interstate, often causing many deaths.
The "Classic" Jack Knife Accident
There are different types of jack-knife accidents. A classic jack-knife accident is when the tractor spins into the trailer. It takes about 1/2 second to occur. The classic jackknife usually results from the sudden application of the brakes and the drive axle brakes locking before the trailer brakes or the front axle brakes and usually the vehicle cannot recover. Empty trailers have a greater risk of a classic jack-knife since there is less weight on the tandems.
Tandem Trailer Jack Knife Accidents
The second type of jack-knife is the tandem trailer jackknife. Tandem trailer jack-knife accidents happen when the rear tandem trailer locks up before the drive axle tandems or the front axle. This type of accident is somewhat slow to develop and is often preventable.
If you or a family member been an unwitting victim in a trucking jackknife accident, contact the trucking accident lawyers of David, Bethune and Jones immediately to protect your rights. Get peace of mind with the help you deserve.
