Not just anyone can drive a semi-truck. Professionals operating 18-wheelers need special commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). They have to undergo training and pass the medical exam to qualify for a CDL. They must also hold themselves to a higher standard on the road than other drivers.
Numerous laws apply to semi-trucks that do not apply to smaller passenger vehicles. For example, semi-truck drivers are subject to stricter blood alcohol limits and a federal no-texting rule. Semi-truck drivers generally need to pay close attention to their surroundings and maintain precise control over their vehicles.
Jackknife incidents are an example of a scenario in which a driver loses control of a commercial truck.
What causes a jackknife incident?
Typically, jackknife incidents occur slowly. When roads are slick, the trailer attached to a tractor can come out of alignment. It may slide slightly to either side. Particularly slick roads, heavy loads and high winds may exacerbate the natural movement of the trailer behind the tractor.
If the driver maneuvers or applies the brakes when the trailer is out of alignment, the cab and trailer may end up moving in different directions. The vehicle ends up distorted, moving at an angle like a jackknife that is partially closed. In such scenarios, the driver does not have any control over the vehicle.
They may be at risk of striking multiple other vehicles, blocking multiple lanes of traffic or even experiencing a rollover incident. Jackknife incidents can injure or even kill others.
Most jackknife incidents are preventable
Generally speaking, commercial drivers should monitor the motion of a trailer behind them as they drive. If they notice it going out of alignment, they can make small adjustments that can correct the issue.
Failing to monitor the trailer’s motions and to react appropriately to alignment issues can result in preventable collisions. Jackknife incidents can cause collisions that put other people in the hospital or total smaller vehicles. The people affected by a jackknife incident may need to navigate a complex commercial vehicle insurance claim. In some cases, they may even need to pursue lawsuits.
Learning more about what causes semi-truck crashes can help people limit their risk and respond appropriately after a wreck. When improper trailer loading or inappropriate driving behaviors cause a crash, the people affected by the resulting collision may have grounds to take legal action in addition to seeking insurance claims.
