Jackknife Truck Accidents in Chattanooga

Jackknife truck accidents are particularly destructive and dangerous to all motorists on the road. When a truck’s cab and trailer fold in on each other to form a V or L shape, the resulting accident can sprawl across multiple lanes of traffic. Jackknife crashes often happen on busy highways involving multiple vehicles and can inflict serious and life-threatening injuries.

If you have been involved in a jackknife truck accident in Chattanooga, a qualified tractor-trailer crash attorney could analyze your situation and discuss your opportunities for financial recovery.

Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents in Chattanooga

While there may be many causes for jackknife truck accidents, they typically result from the driver’s quick application of the brakes in a dangerous situation. This reaction constitutes driver error when the driver is distracted, drowsy, or driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, all of which impair their ability to avoid situations that may require the sudden application of brakes.

Steep or slippery roads may contribute to the accident, but the driver still has the responsibility to slow down in challenging conditions and drive safely. A truck driver in Chattanooga could avoid a potential jackknife accident in even the worst of conditions if they maintain a prudent stopping distance between vehicles, brake over a longer distance by gradually slowing down, and brake before entering a turn rather than in the middle of it.

Faulty brakes can also cause a jackknife truck crash. If a driver has failed to attend to soft brakes, the truck can jackknife when they brake suddenly. When defective parts of the vehicle are wholly or partially to blame, the trucking company or manufacturer may be responsible.

Establishing Liability in a Jackknife Truck Accident

Depending on the circumstances of a particular jackknife truck accident in Chattanooga, different persons or entities may be liable for the resulting harm to those involved. While the truck driver may be responsible for the harm caused by their careless or reckless conduct, the following persons or entities may also be liable:

• The trucking company: The business that employed the driver may also be held responsible for the accident if they did not adequately train the driver on the rig or pressured the driver to drive while fatigued in order to meet an unreasonable shipping deadline.
• Manufacturers: The manufacturer of the truck or truck parts may also be liable if the truck part was not properly designed or made or if the instructions for use were not clear. In this type of case, the injured person would have to show there was a defect and that the defect caused the accident that led to their injuries.
• Those responsible for road maintenance: The government or repair crews may also be liable if road conditions leading to the accident were subpar due to their negligence or faulty repairs.

A Chattanooga lawyer experienced in cases involving jackknife truck collisions could determine the at-fault party to help a plaintiff effectively recover damages.

A Chattanooga Attorney Could Offer Advice After Your Jackknife Truck Accident

Jackknife truck accidents can result in severe injury and death to those involved, but it can be difficult to determine responsibility for the accident. A seasoned lawyer familiar with jackknife truck accidents in Chattanooga could review the circumstances of your accident and discuss the steps needed to determine liability for the harm you’ve suffered. An attorney’s advice could help you evaluate your options and decide what legal strategy to pursue. Call today to schedule a consultation.