Jackknife Accidents in Denver

Large trucks that pass through Denver can endanger others on the road due to their immense size and weight. The risks involved in commercial trucking become amplified if the truck or its driver is unfit for the road. A jackknife accident is one possibility if a truck driver loses control of his or her truck. These collisions can have severe consequences.

What Is a Jackknife Accident?

A jackknife accident describes the shape that a large truck that is pulling a trailer (an 18-wheeler) makes when the trailer pushes out and forward, forming a sharp angle with the cab of the truck. In this position, the truck driver cannot control or steer the truck. 

A jackknife crash can occur when the cab of a truck slows down but the trailer fails to stop or reduce its speed, causing it to skid or slide outward. The trailer can break its alignment with the cab, forming a shape that resembles a jackknife or folding pocketknife. In the event that you have been injured in a jackknife accident, reach out to our Denver truck accident attorney today.

Injured Caused By Jackknife Accidents in Denver

A truck that has entered the jackknife position can no longer be controlled by the truck driver. It may careen out of control at a high speed, especially downhill or around a curve. The trailer can swing out and strike other cars or block multiple lanes of traffic, potentially causing a multi-vehicle accident.

Jackknife accidents can result in serious injuries, most often suffered by the occupants of the smaller car. Examples include:

• Broken bones
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain injuries
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Severe lacerations
• Burns
• Internal injuries
• Amputations

Jackknife accidents can also be deadly; according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 5,700 fatal accidents in the U.S. in 2021 involved large trucks.

How Can Jackknife Accidents Be Prevented?

Most jackknife truck accidents that occur in Denver are due to negligence, meaning someone’s failure to use the appropriate level of care or caution. Truck driver errors often contribute to jackknife accidents.

Common causes include:

• Speeding or taking sharp turns
• Using the incorrect braking techniques
• Jerking the wheel or overcorrecting
• Truck driver fatigue, distraction or intoxication
• Inadequate truck driver training
• Poor truck maintenance and equipment failures

Identifying the cause of a jackknife accident in Denver typically takes an in-depth investigation of the crash. If it is discovered that an individual or entity reasonably should have prevented the crash, that party can be held accountable for a victim’s injuries and losses.

Who Is Liable for a Jackknife Accident?

Determining liability, or financial accountability, for a truck jackknife accident takes a firm understanding of the cause of the crash. A truck accident attorney can help you determine causation and identify the correct defendant(s) after carefully investigating your case.

Possibilities include:

• The truck driver
• The owner of the truck
• A trucking company
• A truck maintenance provider
• A cargo company
• Another driver
• A government agency

Filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim against one or more parties for a harmful jackknife accident in Colorado could result in the financial compensation you need for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and more.

Why Hire a Jackknife Accident Attorney in Denver?

Proving your jackknife truck accident case in Denver can be easier and less stressful with assistance from an experienced attorney. Hiring a lawyer to represent you can ensure that you are treated fairly by an insurance company. An accident lawyer in Denver can maximize your financial outcome and help you address your health care needs.

For a free consultation with an attorney about a recent jackknife accident in Denver, contact us at The Fang Accident Lawyers anytime.