Protecting
the rights of the injured
for over 30 years

Who is at fault when a truck jackknifes?

On Behalf of | Aug 9, 2022 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Semi-trucks are some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road. There are several reasons for this. One is due to their articulation.

When you turn left in a car, you know the back of the vehicle will follow the front in a relatively tight line. That can’t always happen with a semi-truck. If you watch them driving, you will notice that sometimes the trailer and cab go in opposite directions.

Truck drivers generally know how their trailers will react and handle them well. Yet, occasionally they could find the trailer going in a dangerous direction they struggle to control.

Jackknifing is one possible outcome. If a truck driver has to brake sharply, their own trailer can try to pass them, especially if not aligned, such as when going around a bend or swerving to avoid a hazard in the road. 

Is it just down to bad driving?

Not always. Truckers sometimes have no choice but to slam on the brakes due to something happening in front. Poor loading of the truck can also lead to jackknifing if the load is not properly secured and shifts suddenly when they brake.  A mechanical fault could also cause it.

If a jackknifing truck injures you, you can start by looking at holding the driver responsible. Yet it’s worth considering that you might also claim against a company that failed to load or maintain it properly. With legal help, you can examine all options to get the compensation you need.