Jackknifing
Some of the most dangerous scenarios involving 18-wheelers occur when the traction of the trailer fails, causing the massive back-end of the truck to swing around. Known as a jackknife, this motion can cause an extremely dangerous accident in which the truck’s trailer begins to fold up towards the front of the truck. As a result of this folding action, any motorists caught in the trailer’s arc may be trapped in the destructive swing.
For a free consultation regarding your legal options after a roadway injury in which someone else was to blame, contact the Rhinelander auto accident attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ®, at 800-242-2874 today.
Causes of Jackknifing
Jackknifing can lead to highway incidents involving multiple vehicle pile-ups and major injuries for drivers and passengers. As the back of the truck swings out, it may strike vehicles in the blind spot around the rear of the truck in either direction, sliding in one way or another. Some of the following problems or conditions may lead to these accidents occurring:
- Mechanical malfunction
- Ice
- Rain
- Sharp turns and winding roads
Some solutions do exist to help prevent these accidents, but they may not be found in every truck. One of the simplest is the addition of an anti-lock brake system to the trailer of the truck, which increases braking control in unfavorable or emergency conditions. Additionally, some trucks have special automatic systems that lock in the trailer at a certain angle when the truck hits a preset speed.
Contact Us
If you have been injured because of a truck driver’s reckless driving behaviors, you may have grounds for legal action. To discuss your options following an accident, contact the Rhinelander truck accident lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ®, today by calling 800-242-2874.
