Jackknife accidents can be sudden, violent affairs, and the impact they can have on your finances and wellbeing will be no less dramatic. Consult a Boise jackknife truck accident lawyer and find out how to get compensated for what you’ve been through.

Trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large commercial vehicles can be very difficult to drive. Navigating Boise roads behind the wheel of a truck requires experience, dedication, focus, and above all else, the proper training to prevent extremely devastating accidents with other vehicles.

While these larger vehicles are prone to a long list of different types of traffic accidents, jackknife accidents are some of the most common and difficult to recover from. A jackknife occurs when the trailer itself swings around with a very high velocity, coming to rest beside the cab. It often happens in mere seconds and may take out vehicles, people, buildings, or anything else resting in its path.

If you are injured as a direct result of someone else’s negligence in a wreck such as this, a Boise jackknife truck accident lawyer from Craig Swapp & Associates can help you seek compensation for your losses.

 

Why Do Trucks Jackknife?

Jackknifing can occur with even the best of drivers in bad weather conditions, but the majority of the time it occurs because of driver error or oversight. Braking too hard, too often, or at the wrong time is a common cause, as is driving too fast on slippery roads. This is part of the reason that most trucks travel at a lower speed during winter and when roads are covered in ice.

Drivers who fail to observe these precautions greatly increase their risk for an accident with another vehicle or person. In some cases, the reason for the jackknife is mechanical, or may include any of the following issues:

  • Problems with the braking system
  • Problems with tires or axles
  • Overuse of the trailer brakes

Other causes of jackknife accidents include issues with antilock braking systems or other equipment failures. In any of these instances, it’s possible that the accident didn’t have to happen at all. If this was the case in your crash, you could be entitled to financial compensation.

 

Dangers of Jackknife Accidents

What makes a jackknife so incredibly dangerous is that once the trailer begins to jackknife, there is little to nothing the driver can do to correct the maneuver. A jackknifing 18-wheeler or trailer can do significant damage to smaller vehicles, and may even cause the truck itself to roll, which can cause multiple-vehicle accidents.

 

Seeking Compensation with a Boise 18-Wheeler Crash Lawyer

Whether the driver is directly or indirectly responsible for a jackknifing accident, you may still be entitled to compensation under Idaho state law. This is especially true if we can demonstrate that your losses occurred as a direct result of the crash. Types of compensation available cover financial loss, loss of life or limb, permanent disability, lost time at work, and even pain and suffering.

An experienced Boise jackknife truck accident lawyer can put together a solid case to uphold your rights in civil court. If you have been in a truck wreck, we can help. Please contact Craig Swapp & Associates by completing the form below or by calling us toll-free at 1-800-404-9000.