Sharing the road with 18-wheelers is a dangerous part of driving in Texas. In addition to the size and weight of a big rig increasing the severity of truck accidents, semi-trucks have unique crash risks. This includes a jackknife accident. A catastrophic jackknife accident can result in serious and fatal injuries to those involved – primarily motor vehicle occupants. If you were injured in an accident, make sure to consult an experienced San Antonio truck accident lawyer for legal guidance.
Understanding Jackknife Accidents in Texas
A jackknife accident refers to a specific type of large truck accident where the trailer of an 18-wheeler swings out at an angle away from the cab, in a shape resembling a partially open jackknife.
In this position, the truck driver loses control of the trailer and truck and can no longer steer the vehicle. The truck may slide into surrounding traffic, crush smaller vehicles beneath its trailer or roll over onto its side.
Common Types of Jackknife Accidents
When a large truck forms a jackknife position on one of Texas’s highways, the truck or its trailer can slide into surrounding vehicles and cause a sideswipe collision. This is when two vehicles make contact against their sides. Since the side of a vehicle is not designed to withstand impact like the front or rear, this type of truck accident can cause significant damage.
The height difference between an 18-wheeler and a car can also lead to underride collisions, where the car slides beneath the trailer of the truck. An underride accident can cause serious and fatal injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and decapitations. Rear-end collisions, override accidents, rollovers and multivehicle pileups are also possible outcomes of jackknife accidents.
What Can Cause a Truck Jackknife Accident?
Truck drivers should be trained on methods of preventing a truck from jackknifing. There are special braking techniques that should be employed in dangerous conditions, for example, such as when traveling downhill, around a curve or in bad weather. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues federal safety regulations and training requirements designed to reduce these risks.”
If a truck driver uses the wrong braking maneuvers, he or she could lock up the wheels of the truck and cause the trailer to swing outward. Speeding, reckless driving, and swerving in and out of multiple lanes can also lead to truck jackknife accidents in Texas.
A truck may take this position through no fault of the truck driver’s, in some cases, but instead due to issues such as part defects, brake failure, a tire blowout, an equipment malfunction, an overloaded truck or loose cargo that was not properly secured. Identifying the cause of the crash can help a victim understand his or her recovery options.
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Your Legal Rights as a Victim of a Truck Jackknife Accident in Texas
Taking legal action in the aftermath of a harmful truck jackknife accident in Texas starts with understanding the cause of the wreck. Texas is an at-fault state, meaning the person or party responsible for causing a truck accident is held liable (responsible) for paying for all related damage. This can include a victim’s hospital bills, lost wages and property repairs.
If a negligent truck driver contributed to your jackknife accident through incorrect or careless handling of the big rig, the trucker could be held liable. Truck drivers are held responsible for breaching their legal duty to drive carefully.
In many cases, a trucking company can be held vicariously liable for the mistakes of its truck drivers. If a defective truck part contributed to the jackknife crash, a manufacturer or distributor could be found liable, as well.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer in Texas Can Help
If you get hurt in a truck jackknife accident in Texas, help is available from a local San Antonio personal injury attorney. Hiring a lawyer can be the most effective way to protect your rights when dealing with trucking companies and their powerful legal teams and insurance providers. Contact Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers to learn more about your case through a free initial consultation.