Any accident at highway speeds can be devastating. When an accident at highway speeds involves a regular passenger car and a large commercial truck, the resulting injuries and damage increase even more. Large commercial trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds and, when one collides with a small car or sport utility vehicle, the occupants of the passenger cars are at grave risk for severe or even fatal injuries. One of the most dangerous kinds of truck accidents is called a jack knife accident. Jack knife accidents may be caused by several factors and often affect multiple vehicles surrounding the commercial truck. If you or a loved one has been involved in a jack knife accident, chances are that you are facing high medical bills, recovery from a debilitating injury, or even permanent disability. You deserve to recover for your injuries, pain, and suffering, and a Coweta County truck accident attorney can help you get the settlement you deserve.
Large commercial trucks usually have two components—a cab and a trailer. Those two components are connected by a hinge and are supposed to travel in a straight line, with the trailer directly behind the cab. A jack knife accident occurs when a truck trailer swings sideways on its hinge and becomes perpendicular to the cab of the truck. This is called a jack knife because the shape of the cab and trailer resembles a folding or pocket knife of the same name.
When a large trailer, often weighing thousands of pounds, swings out sideways, it often covers many lanes of the highway and may hit any vehicles in its path. A commercial truck driver almost always loses complete control of the truck in the case of a jack knife accident, and the truck may travel off of the road or even tip over. Because of the high speeds, heavy weight of the trailer, and loss of control of the driver, jack knife accidents are considered one of the most dangerous kinds.
If you have been involved in a jack knife accident or any other type of truck accident that was someone else’s fault, you deserve to be compensated for any injuries or losses you incurred. The experienced truck accident lawyers at Shane Smith Law can help you. Do not hesitate to call us today at (980) 246-2656.