Vehicles of all shapes and sizes have to share the roadways in Texas. As well as cars partaking in the daily commute, there are a lot of trucks carrying out commercial operations.
Trucks are considerably larger than other vehicles, particularly when they have a trailer attached. Towing a trailer brings numerous unique hazards, including the risk of jackknife accidents.
A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer swings in one direction and forces the vehicle to lose control. How do these accidents happen?
High speeds
Everyone should watch their speed but this applies particularly to truck drivers carrying heavy loads. Trailers are not really designed to be pulled at high speeds, and they could start to shake and vibrate at high speeds, resulting in a jackknife accident.
While jackknife accidents can occur on straight roads, they are especially common on corners. A heavy trailer may want to go in completely the opposite direction of the cab if the vehicle is traveling at a high speed.
Drowsy drivers
Truck drivers work extremely hard. In fact, they often work too hard. Driving commercial vehicles requires high concentration levels, which can be hard to sustain after a long period of operating a vehicle.
This is why it’s so important that truck drivers take adequate rest breaks. A drowsy driver can fall asleep, even momentarily. They might wake and try to prevent the vehicle from going off course, but it’s often too late.
If you’ve been injured in a jackknife accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Seeking legal guidance will give you a better idea of your options.
