The cabs and trailers of 18-wheelers are attached by a hinge, which means these vehicles are at risk of jackknifing. Jackknifing occurs when the cab and trailer of a truck fold in on each other, usually after the driver has lost control of the vehicle.
Jackknife truck accidents in Brownsville are dangerous because when a truck slides out of control, it can strike other vehicles in multiple lanes. If you have suffered harm in a crash, our seasoned tractor-trailer injury attorneys at Javier Villarreal Injury Law Firm are here to help you maximize your recovery.
A jackknife truck accident occurs when the trailer of an 18-wheeler swings out to the side and forms a sharp angle with the cab, resembling the shape of a folding pocketknife. In this position, the truck driver loses control of the vehicle, and the trailer can sweep across multiple lanes of traffic, blocking the road or colliding with nearby vehicles.
Jackknife accidents are especially dangerous because they happen suddenly and leave little time for surrounding drivers to react. The size of the trailer can cause substantial damage on impact, potentially striking multiple vehicles across different lanes of traffic. In some cases, a jackknife truck crash can result in severe or even fatal injuries in Brownsville.
Negligence plays a significant role in many collisions involving jackknifing trucks in Brownsville. When a commercial driver fails to operate their vehicle safely, the risk of a trailer swinging out of control increases. One common example of negligence is speeding, which reduces the driver’s ability to stop safely. Traveling at unsafe speeds is especially dangerous on wet or curving roads. Improper braking techniques, such as slamming on the brakes or applying them unevenly, can also destabilize the trailer and cause a jackknife.
More often than not, these accidents are the result of human error. However, trucking companies may be negligent by failing to maintain brake systems or pushing drivers to meet unsafe delivery schedules. If you sustained injuries in an accident due to driver negligence, our team can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
You may be entitled to different types of damages following a jackknife truck crash in Brownsville. These collisions can lead to serious injuries and extensive property damage, and our team can help you recover what you lost.
Costly medical care is unfortunately common following a jackknife truck accident. If you can show that the collision happened due to negligence, you may be able to recover the cost of treatments, such as physical therapy, surgery, or ambulance transportation.
Many people find themselves too hurt to work following a crash. If you are forced to take off work for weeks or months to recover, your personal injury lawsuit could help you recover your lost wages. You may also be entitled to money to compensate you for such things as the vacation or sick days you had to use during your recovery.
Unlike other types of losses, there is no objective way to measure your pain. That will not prevent our attorneys from helping you seek damages based on the physical and emotional suffering you endured after the crash.
It can take just one mistake for a commercial driver to lose control and jackknife their truck. If your vehicle is in the path of that out-of-control truck, avoiding a collision could be impossible.
Our attorneys understand how life-changing jackknife truck accidents in Brownsville can be. If you have sustained injuries in a serious accident, call the Law Champ and Win by Knockout.
