Phoenix Jackknife Accident Attorneys
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Jackknife Accidents
Few sights are scarier for drivers than seeing a tractor-trailer coming towards them in an uncontrolled slide. Drivers know that these trucks outweigh their own vehicle by tens of thousands of pounds. As the trailer comes around in a jackknife accident, there is often nowhere to go to avoid being struck and severely injured or killed. Passenger vehicles are simply no match for an out-of-control truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds. So much weight and energy traveling at highway speeds usually results in tragedy for anyone in a nearby vehicle.
Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Tractor-trailers are essentially articulated vehicles with the pivot point, or location where the trailer is connected to the tractor or cab, being a necessary and potentially deadly part of the design. In a jackknife accident, the tractor loses control of the trailer it is pulling, and it swings around and forms an angle, often crossing all lanes of traffic and giving other drivers few options to avoid a collision. Jackknife truck accidents in Arizona can be caused by many different factors including the following:
- Poor truck maintenance
If a driver or trucking company fails to properly maintain the brakes and other critically important parts of the truck and/or trailer, this can greatly enhance the chances of a jackknife accident. - Driver error
This is the single-largest cause of jackknife trucking accidents and can result from driver fatigue, drug or alcohol intoxication, poor decision-making, inexperience and many other contributing factors. - Road conditions
This is related to driver error as when roads are wet, icy, steep or otherwise dangerous, drivers should adjust their driving accordingly. If they don’t for whatever reason, they greatly enhance the chances of losing control and causing a jackknife accident. - A truck driver slamming on the brakes
Sometimes, a truck driver has no choice but to slam on the brakes to avoid striking another vehicle or an object on the road. This creates a very dangerous situation as once those brakes are applied, the driver is very likely to lose control and have the rig jackknife.
Aggressive, Experienced Arizona Jackknife Truck Accident Attorneys
Jackknife accidents often result in catastrophic and fatal injuries for anyone unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jackknife trucking accident survivors usually must endure weeks or months of treatment in a hospital and profound financial distress from medical bills that quickly climb into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you are injured in a jackknife accident in Arizona, you need a strong, experienced attorney by your side to protect your rights and interests and help you seek fair and just compensation. Before you sign anything offered by the trucking company or their insurance company, consult the Arizona truck accident attorneys at Breyer Law Offices by calling (602) 267-1280 today.
