In Texas, trucks and semi-trucks is a dime a dozen. There are many of these large and sometimes unwieldy vehicles on the road. If the drivers are not careful and well-trained, they can cause dangerous and sometimes fatal accidents. One such type of accident that results from truck driver negligence in the Rio Grande Valley is the jackknife accident. Jackknife accidents are extremely catastrophic due to their nature involving numerous vehicles or blocking much of a road or highway. To avoid jackknife wrecks, it’s important to understand them first. Here’s what you need to know about these violent truck crashes.
What is a Jackknife Collison?
A jackknife wreck occurs when the trailer of a truck swings to one side and collides with other lanes of traffic. The truck’s bent shape resembles that of a jackknife or of the letter L. This is where the collision gets its name. When a jackknife wreck occurs, the trailer and cab of the truck can crush people and cars. It can also block numerous lanes of the road, which can cause additional collisions.
What are the Causes of Jackknife Accidents?
Jackknife collisions are often either the cause of driver negligence or inclement weather or a combination of both. One common cause is speeding. If a trucker is speeding on the road and abruptly stops, it’s more likely to cause a rollover. Additionally, truckers who do not exercise caution as they enter and clear curves end up toppling over. Bad weather or road conditions can also cause a jackknife if drivers do not take it slow enough as they travel. One last cause of jackknife accidents in the Rio Grande Valley is the propensity for truck drivers or truck driving companies to not pay attention to routine maintenance, alignment checks, and brake pad switchouts.
If you or a loved one was injured in a jackknife accident involving a large truck in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, contact a personal injury attorney. If you can prove trucker negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. Our law firm has extensive experience in personal injury law, having handled more than 20,000 cases. We have office locations in Ft. Worth, Brownsville, McAllen, Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, San Antonio, and Houston. Herrman & Herrman has Spanish-speaking and English-speaking staff so you can discuss your legal matter in the language that you feel most comfortable speaking.
