Jackknife Accidents| San Antonio 18 Wheeler Accident injury lawyers

Jackknife Accidents

San Antonio 18 Wheeler Accident Injury Cases

Jackknifing is a familiar term used in trucking accidents when a semi-tractor trailer or 18-wheeler skids causing the trailer to violently swing out into an acute angle. Jackknifing commonly occurs when the truck’s drive wheels lock up during wet or slippery conditions. Although jackknifing can be caused by slippery road conditions, they are frequently caused by negligence of the driver.

During an emergency, a truck driver has three braking options:

The driver can lock the steering axle brakes, causing the rig to move straight ahead in spite of the wheel angle.
The driver can lock the drive axles, resulting in jackknife accidents.
The driver can lock the trailer axles, causing the driver to lose directional control.

The preferred method is locking the steering axle brakes. This allows the truck and trailer to travel in a straight, predictable path. The least desirable option is to lock the trailer axles, which has resulted in numerous accidents.

Truck drivers can avoid jackknifing by:

Keeping a distance safely from other vehicles on the road (especially during wet or icy conditions).
Not decelerating at bends or turns. The driver should brake in a straight line before the turn. Once the turn has been made, the speed may be increased.
Dispersing the braking over the longest distances possible.
Not braking and swerving during evasive actions. Preferably, a driver should brake first, release the brakes, swerve, and reapply the brakes.

Certain trucks are more prone to jackknife than others. A half empty tanker is more than twice as likely to jackknife as a fully loaded semi truck.

If you are involved in a jackknifing accident, you need a well informed attorney on your side. Call us today at 210-223-9200 or 1-888-501-9299 or fill out the form below. We will help you receive compensation for your injuries. We never charge a fee unless we win a positive settlement or judgment in your favor. Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation.