Jackknife truck accidents affect articulated vehicles – those equipped with two separate but connected components. Under normal conditions, the two components, the tractor and trailer, operate in unison. When something goes wrong, the truck’s trailer can slide out from behind the cab, and the two can form a “V” shape. This is known as jackknifing, and it is one of the most devastating events in trucking operations.
As the trailer, which is now at an acute angle with the cab, pushes forward, it can prevent the truck driver from steering and maintaining control over the vehicle. This can cause the truck to overtake several lanes of traffic, strike nearby vehicles, or collide with traffic signals and other fixed objects. When a truck jackknifes, it can become unstable and increase the chances of sliding off the road, rolling over, and causing catastrophic traffic accidents.
If you’ve been injured or have suffered the wrongful death of a family member in a jackknife accident, don’t hesitate to contact our Round Rock truck accident lawyers from Dow Law Firm for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma.
What Causes Jackknife Truck Accidents in Round Rock?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), jackknife accidents account for about 3.5 percent of all truck accidents annually. In 2020, 107,000 jackknife truck accidents caused injuries, while 4,842 jackknife truck accidents were fatal.
Tractor-trailers and semi-trucks are most likely to jackknife when there are sudden changes in direction, speed, or friction. Jackknife truck accidents in Round Rock can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Speeding
- Braking errors
- Faulty brakes
- Unbalanced cargo
- Unsecured cargo
- Light cargo loads
- Taking curves of making turns without slowing down
- Tire blowouts
- Mechanical issues
- Auto defects
- Slick or slippery road conditions
Many times, jackknife accidents are caused by driver error. However, anyone who contributes to a jackknife truck accident, including a trucking company, an auto manufacturer, a third-party motorist, or a government agency, can be liable for resulting property damage, physical injuries, and deaths.
What Types of Injuries Do Round Rock Jackknife Accidents Cause?
Jackknife accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and cause catastrophic trauma. Most often, it’s occupants of smaller vehicles that suffer the most severe consequences, including:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Crushing injuries
- Burn injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Paraplegia, quadriplegia, and other paralysis injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Vision or hearing loss
- Wrongful death
It’s imperative to report a jackknife truck accident to the Round Rock Police Department immediately, and then get to the closest hospital if you’re not transported there from the scene in an ambulance. These two steps will help to document what’s happened and potentially limit the extent and severity of your truck accident injuries.
When Should I Contact a Round Rock Truck Accident Attorney?
As soon as you can. You have a limited time to pursue compensation through an insurance claim or truck accident lawsuit, and you can expect the trucking company to jump into action to stand between you and a meaningful financial recovery.
You don’t want to allow the trucking company to control the investigation, get rid of compelling evidence, or dictate the terms of your legal claim. When you call a truck accident lawyer for immediate assistance after a jackknife truck accident in Round Rock, you’ll significantly increase the odds of getting the compensation you deserve.
At Dow Law Firm, our award-winning truck accident lawyers have helped clients win millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts in tough cases like yours. Now, we’re ready to help you demand justice after your jackknife accident, too. Contact our Round Rock truck accident attorneys at (512) 240-9951 for a free case review today.