A dangerous situation can happen when hauling a trailer called jack-knifing. This happens when the trailer swings around to the side behind the cab far enough that the cab can no longer recover. If you could look at the truck from the air, it would start to resemble a folding pocket knife.
These situations are extremely dangerous not just for the trucker, but also for anyone else on the road. The heavy trailer can crash into other cars in the lanes as it swings sideways. KPLC reported on a trucker who got lucky his trailer didn’t hit anyone after a jack-knifing.
The jack-knifing accident happened on I-10 west near Iowa in the late evening. It was intense enough that the fuel tanks on the cab burst open. The interstate had to be shut down and traffic diverted while hazmat teams cleaned up the mess.
The biggest reason for jack-knifing is improper braking by the trucker. When the brakes lock, the trailer can skid to the side. Other causes can be unmaintained brakes, slippery roads, or a collision by another vehicle.
If you are caught in a crash by a jack-knifed truck, there is a good chance you can receive compensation. If you or someone you know has been in this situation, contact a personal injury attorney immediately for advice.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
