Scott Krist 
Tractor trailers and other forms of large trucks are common on Texas roads and highways. When you are involved in a jackknife truck accident, it can be significantly more devastating and often involves many vehicles. To appropriately address damages and injuries from an accident like this, you need an experienced truck accident attorney with The Krist Law Firm.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Jackknife truck accidents happen when the trailer begins to slide perpendicular to the cab, folding like a jackknife. Large trucks in Texas have a weight limit of just above 81,000 lbs, and most of it is carried on the trailer.
When this tail end of the truck pivots, it can become unpredictable, crossing several lanes of traffic and making it difficult for vehicles to get out of the way. These accidents commonly involve more than just two vehicles.
Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
There are several things that may cause a jackknife accident, including:
Sudden Braking
If a driver must make a sudden stop, whether traffic ahead abruptly changes or they are not paying attention, this can cause the truck to jackknife. When the trailer is unable to stop slowly, it may distribute force in such a way that it pivots and swings outward. This situation may be more common on steeper roads or in poor weather conditions.
Sharp Turns
Trucks require a much wider area to turn. You may see stickers on the back warning other vehicles that the vehicle turns wide. If a truck driver fails to maneuver the vehicle appropriately and takes a turn too sharply, they may cause the trailer to swing out.
Improper Loading
Safely loaded cargo is critical to a safe trip for large trucks. If the goods in the trailer are poorly balanced or unsecured, it can make the truck difficult to handle. If cargo suddenly shifts while on the road, the trailer may shift in that direction. Depending on the circumstances and the force of shifting cargo, the driver may lose control, resulting in a jackknife accident.
Steps to Take Immediately Following a Jackknife Truck Accident That Leaves You Injured
After a jackknife tractor-trailer crash, the safest course of action is to assume you are injured in some way, even if it is not immediately evident. Some of the most recent truck accident data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tells us that the occupants of the non-truck vehicle are more likely to suffer injuries and fatalities than the truck drivers.
Assess for Safety
The first step after a jackknife accident is ensuring safety. This may mean assessing yourself for obvious injuries, checking for environmental risks like heavy traffic flow or fires, and checking that passengers of other vehicles are okay if you can. If you have obvious injuries, it may be best to turn on your hazard lights and wait to exit the vehicle until first responders arrive.
Medical Evaluation
If paramedics arrive on the scene, our attorney will often advise you to submit to an evaluation. If you are obviously injured, they may ensure you are stable enough to leave or transport you to the hospital. Even when you may not have obvious injuries, EMTs or paramedics may help identify latent injuries, which can prevent your condition from getting worse.
Regardless of whether you speak with EMS on the scene, you should visit your medical provider soon after the accident. This serves to document your injuries and begin a treatment plan for recovery. If you delay seeking medical care, the insurance company or at-fault parties may raise doubts about the validity or severity of your injuries and damage claim.
Photos
Documenting the accident is critical, especially when a large truck may be responsible. While the driver may have the best intentions, logistics and trucking companies can often act quickly to protect their interests and deny liability. Photos may help us navigate these claims.
Try to get pictures of the vehicles, any other damaged structures, the road surrounding the area, and your injuries. Expert witnesses may be able to testify to the validity of your claim based on the evidence you photographed.
Witness Information
When you call the police, they will often speak to any witnesses to add statements to the police report. However, you may benefit from obtaining their contact information. This is often something an attorney requests as they begin investigating your case. While you gather this information, you may also ask if they have any video or photo evidence.
Call an Attorney
It can benefit you to call a truck accident attorney as soon as possible, even before you leave the scene, if you are able. Logistics companies are often well-defended by huge legal teams, and our lawyers like to act quickly to reserve as much evidence as possible before there are opportunities to lose it. Additionally, a lawyer can help you navigate and avoid common pitfalls that may damage your case and help you take steps to strengthen it.
Call Your Insurance Company
Even if you are not at fault, you may choose to call your insurance company. Some providers will pay out benefits to you and work with the insurance company of the at-fault party to recover those losses. Your insurance company may move faster to help you get your vehicle repaired or replaced and pay medical expenses, negotiating with the liable party’s insurer to recover their costs.
Follow Your Treatment Plan
If a jackknife truck accident has caused injuries, it is important to follow your treatment plan or seek other opinions if you have concerns. Failure to follow up appropriately could cause the insurance company to question the severity of your injuries and may leave a gray area for their responsibility. They may make the argument that your injuries must not be that bad if you aren’t listening to the doctor.
Actions to Avoid When You Are Injured in a Jackknife Truck Accident
The above section may give you an idea of what you should do in the aftermath of an accident, but what is of equal importance is what you should not do. Below are some of the things our attorney may advise against:
- Don’t apologize or make any statement that may imply fault for the accident. Keep statements factual and concise.
- Avoid providing detailed statements to insurance adjusters, as these may be used against you later.
- Avoid sharing much about your case with friends and family.
- Social media can have significant impacts on civil cases, and an attorney may suggest avoiding posting anything personal.
The insurance company often has a primary goal of reducing payout by diminishing the credibility of your claim. They may say that you said, “I’m sorry,” at the time of the crash, and declare you knew you were responsible. An attorney can often guide you through the things that may hinder your specific case.
Call a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer with The Krist Law Firm Today for a Fair Chance of Recovering Compensation for Your Injuries
Trucking and logistics companies have significantly more financial resources than most of the people their drivers injure, leaving jackknife accident victims at a disadvantage in recovering fair compensation for their injuries.
The Krist Law Firm is here to balance the playing field by providing personalized and aggressive legal representation for our clients. Our firm offers free case consultations to discuss your situation. Call us today for support in recovering the compensation you deserve.