Gavel Insight

Understanding Jackknife Truck Accidents 🚛 What Is a Jackknife Accident? A jackknife accident occurs when a truck's cab and trailer fold in on themselves at an acute angle, resembling a folding pocket knife. This type of accident can block multiple lanes, cause pileups, and result in severe injuries. ⚠️ Common Causes of Jackknife Accidents - Sudden braking on wet or icy roads - High-speed driving around curves - Faulty brakes or mechanical failures - Driver fatigue or inattention - Poorly loaded cargo affecting weight distribution Immediate Steps to Take After a Jackknife Truck Accident 📞 Call 911 Immediately Ensure that law enforcement and emergency responders arrive to assist anyone injured and document the scene properly. 📸 Gather Evidence Take clear photos of the accident scene, vehicle positions, skid marks, and road conditions. If possible, gather witness statements and request dashcam footage. 📝 Obtain the Police Report A police report will contain crucial detai...

Understanding Jackknife Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania 🚛 What Is a Jackknife Accident? A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer swings outward, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab. This often results in severe roadway blockages and multi-vehicle collisions. ⚠️ Common Causes of Jackknife Accidents - Braking Issues: Sudden or hard braking can lock the truck’s wheels, leading to loss of control. - Weather Conditions: Slippery roads increase the likelihood of trailer skidding. - Speeding: High speeds make it harder for truckers to regain control. - Improper Loading: Uneven weight distribution in the trailer can destabilize the vehicle. - Driver Fatigue: Drowsy drivers react more slowly to road hazards. Legal Aspects of Filing a Jackknife Truck Accident Claim ⚖️ Liability in Jackknife Accidents Determining fault is essential in any truck accident case. Potentially liable parties include: - Truck Driver: If negligence, such as speeding or distraction, caused the crash...