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A jackknife truck accident occurs when a truck, and the trailer it is hauling, become involved in an accident. Any sudden movement of the tractor can cause the trailer to continue its onward movement, arcing out to the side of the front of the truck, resulting in a jackknife accident. For information on damages you could recover after being hurt by a jackknife truck accident in Indianapolis, please reach out to our trucking accident attorneys now.
Jackknife truck accidents in Indy are common on entrance and exit ramps that are curved or on an incline, as well as hills or mountains. In addition, because a jackknife occurs when the tractor goes in one direction and the trailer in another, the road conditions can have a significant impact. If the road is wet or slippery, especially after a heavy snow or ice storm, a truck driver may lose control.
The best way to avoid a jackknife accident is for the driver to pay very close attention and drive safely. While some accidents may appear to be unavoidable, most can be prevented by driving in a safe manner. If the roads are slippery, or if there is a steep incline or sharp bend, then the truck driver should adjust his or her speed accordingly.
A truck driver and their employer have the duty to maintain their trucks in operational order, for the safety of the public, as well as the safety of the driver. Failure to maintain a truck in proper mechanical order may result in an accident, and certain parts of a vehicle can cause a jackknife if they are defective.
Trucks should have tires with the proper amount of tread to provide grip for the trailer. Likewise, it is essential to have operational brakes, which will be different than those found on a passenger car. Finally, the trucker must have experience and training to minimize the risk of a jackknife.
A jackknifed truck tends to block lanes of traffic and might prohibit all traffic from passing. As the incident is occurring, any vehicles in the vicinity are in danger of being struck or getting trapped. For this reason, it is best to maintain a distance between your vehicle and any tractor-trailer trucks on the highway.
Many jackknife accidents in Indianapolis involve only the driver of the truck, but the truck may also strike other vehicles nearby. Because this movement is difficult to control, the truck driver may have no other choice than to let it hit other vehicles before the truck comes to rest. Other vehicles may have to take evasive action if a truck begins to jackknife, even if the truck does not come into direct contact with the vehicle.
Very rarely are accidents unpreventable. The test to determine whether someone is legally responsible for an accident is based on the actions of a reasonable person. If the driver was acting like a reasonable person in the circumstances, and an accident still occurred, they may not be liable for it. However, if a driver is using safe driving methods, most accidents should be preventable. A personal injury attorney could provide more insight into whether the driver or their employer may be liable for damages.
An experienced Indianapolis lawyer will know what investigation to undertake to make the strongest case for a jackknife. The lawyer may engage an accident reconstruction expert who could explain why the incident occurred, and utilize other evidence to make the case. Ask for a free consultation from McCready Law now, and get the help you need.