Most drivers in Houston know to leave plenty of room when driving near loaded tractor-trailers. Tangling with a semi could lead to a jackknife truck accident that turns out much worse for smaller vehicles.
When you’re injured in any accident, experienced personal injury lawyers can guide you through the process of seeking compensation. Still, a truck accident involving a loaded semi is one that some people might not walk away from. So what makes this type of collision so dangerous?
What Is a Jackknife Accident?
A semi truck is made up of two key parts: the tractor, which houses the engine and cab, and the attached cargo trailer it hauls. When this type of truck crashes, the size and momentum of the rig can cause it to hinge where the trailer connects to the tractor.
The trailer can then swing out to the side across lanes of traffic, forming an angle with the tractor that resembles a closing pocket knife — hence the name. When jackknife truck accidents occur, the semi may not only hit multiple cars across several lanes of traffic, but the truck could also roll over, crushing vehicles in its path.
Size, Weight, and the Power of Momentum
The severity of a typical car accident will depend on factors like speed, road conditions, and the type of crash, such as rear-end, head-on, or sideswipe. However, most consumer passenger vehicles are similarly sized, weighing about 3,000 to 4,000 pounds.
When a commercial truck enters the picture, the situation can become significantly more dire for cars, especially if high speeds are involved. A fully loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, or about 20 times as much as a passenger vehicle. It can top out at over 65 feet long, as opposed to a passenger car, truck, or SUV that averages 12 to 18 feet long.
Most importantly, the added mass of commercial trucks also increases stopping distance. While a passenger vehicle traveling 65 mph takes just over 300 feet to come to a full stop when braking, a semi requires 525 feet, or about the length of 1.5 football fields.
The force and momentum of a truck that brakes hard can cause it to jackknife. When this happens, any cars caught in the path of the truck can suffer significant damage and may even be crushed.
Multi-Vehicle Truck Accidents
When a truck jackknifes, it can not only spell disaster for the rig and driver, but also for other cars caught in the way as it sweeps across lanes of highway traffic. As other drivers try to avoid the accident, it can even result in a chain reaction that affects numerous vehicles behind the accident scene.
Controlling a Jackknifed Semi Truck
A jackknife accident occurs when a truck brakes too hard, loses traction on a slick road surface, attempts a sharp turn or evasive maneuver, or suffers from equipment failure. Poorly distributed cargo could also play a role.
The unfortunate truth is that drivers often lose control of the vehicle in such situations. Once the rig starts to jackknife, the truck driver has little to no ability to steer or stop, allowing the momentum of the vehicle to carry it forward unchecked until it slows to a stop on its own.
Blocked Roadways
Even in heavy traffic, a collision between two vehicles can be a solitary incident if other drivers pay attention, drive the speed limit, and follow at a safe distance, leaving enough room to safely stop and maneuver around the accident.
In a jackknife crash that affects multiple lanes of traffic, though, no amount of safety precautions may be enough to prevent pileups and secondary collisions.
Increased Risks for Bodily Harm
The laws of physics govern objects in motion, and the mass of a semi keeps it in motion longer during an accident. When a jackknife truck hurtles down the highway, out of control, any vehicles it hits can suffer significantly more harm than the truck.
Such collisions carry a higher risk for serious damage, injuries, and fatalities for those in smaller vehicles. Catastrophic brain and spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries are common in truck accidents.
Texas Trucking Volume
Although Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S., it boasts the most miles of roadway. With dozens of interstate and U.S. highways and countless other roads crisscrossing the state, Texas claims over 650,000 miles of roadway.
As a result, there’s a lot of shipping activity, not to mention truck accidents. In 2023, Texas reported well over 20,000 accidents involving trucks; this was the highest of any state and nearly double the next highest state, which was California, at just over 13,000 accidents.
FAQ
What Should I Do After a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Seek medical attention for injuries immediately, collect evidence at the scene if possible, and contact a lawyer to discuss your case before you speak with insurers or sign any documents.
What Compensation Can I Expect After a Truck Accident in Texas?
Compensation in truck accidents depends on factors like assigned fault, the type and severity of injuries, anticipated treatment and recovery, and costs and losses.
How Long Will It Take to Settle My Truck Accident Case?
Every case is different. If you have a strong negotiating position, you may settle in as little as a few months. If a complex case goes to court, it could take several years.
Get the Support You Need After a Jackknife Truck Injury
When you’re injured in a jackknife truck accident, you may face a devastating diagnosis and a lengthy road to recovery. The last thing you should have to worry about is mounting medical debt and an inability to meet your financial obligations.
A skilled truck accident lawyer at Ramsey Law Group can fight for a fair settlement for you on your behalf. Our personal injury attorneys have years of experience with cases like yours. Contact us now to schedule a consultation.