Jackknife Truck Accidents

Getting justice from a Pennsylvania tractor trailer accident caused by a rig jackknifing requires aggressive Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers who fight for victims of serious tractor trailer and truck accidents.  We handle Pa Truck & Rig accidents throughout Pennsylvania including US Routes 76, 78, 80 & 81 and are motivated and aggressive in getting a tractor trailer truck accident victim the personal injury settlement they need.  Contact Ciccarelli Law Offices if you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor trailer or truck injury caused by a truck jackknifing in Pennsylvania. 

Jackknife accidents are most commonly caused by the sudden application of the brakes in a tractor-trailer. In some cases, though, improperly adjusted brakes can cause jackknife accidents. Improperly adjusted brakes and brake failure in trucks are one of the top reasons for truck accidents on the US roadways. Loss of pedal pressure is among the most common symptoms of brake failure. In fact, any time the angle of articulation between the centerline of the tractor and semi-trailer exceeds fifteen degrees, the truck will jackknife and potentially cause an accident. 

Poorly adjusted brakes and brake failure in trucks and other automobiles are some of the top reasons for truck accidents on the Interstates, highways and roadways. Loss of pedal pressure is among the most common symptom of impending brake failure. Too many times, truckers drive with soft brake pedals and do not repair them until it’s too late.

Aside from sudden braking and brake failure, jackknife accidents can also be caused by:

  • Downshifting
  • Accelerating on a low friction surface
  • Engine retarders
  • Entering a curve too quickly

Handling and stability are the main mechanisms that relate to vehicle characteristics and safety. The study helps to examine vehicle performance in safety-related maneuvering situations leading to such events as jackknifing, rolling over, poor tracking, poor braking, and loss of directional stability. Vehicle dynamics have defined “intrinsic” or “inherent” safety. Rollover and jackknife accidents are easy to recognize by accident investigators and predictable by appropriate types of vehicle analyses. The study shows that rollover accidents are more likely for fully laden trucks and truck combinations and that jackknife accidents are more likely for empty combinations. 

Findings suggest that improvements in brake proportioning and antilock systems should reduce the number of jackknife accidents. Traditionally brake proportioning in the U.S. has been devised for fully laden axles without consideration to the breaking complexities of an empty vehicle or when load is shifted from the rear axles to forward axles. Truck stability and control during braking depend on avoiding wheel locking. A tractor-trailer may jackknife if the rear wheels lock and a trailer swing can occur if the trailer wheels lock. In addition, the study shows that trailers with wide spread axle arrangements can encourage tractor jackknife during tight-radius turning on slippery surfaces and during intersection turns on slippery surfaces. Weight has proven to be the strongest association with fatal truck accident rates. The relationship with fatal truck accident rates was evident when the analysis was limited to specific accident types that were physically related to the vehicle characteristic, such as jackknife accidents and braking efficiency. 

Our promise:  You need a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer who understands the seriousness of your tractor trailer accident case and will give it to you straight. You do not expect guarantees but you need a Pennsylvania lawyer that you can trust to fight for you and your family to the fullest extent of the law.  Our Pennsylvania legal team promises to work for you; be thorough and aggressive in setting out the best strategies for you and your loved ones.

Our team of Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers are working on your case so that you have the benefit of several attorneys including Lee and using their combined efforts and experience to get you the justice you and your family need.  Get Justice. 

We accept Pennsylvania personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis; which means that we do not require an advance fee, retainer or hourly rate but base our fee on a percentage of the monetary settlement we earn for you.   Call Us 24/7 toll free at (877) 529-2422.  Learn how we will work toward the result you need. 

We serve individuals and their families for tractor trailer accidents throughout Pennsylvania including accidents on US 76, US 78, US 80, and US 80 and in the following Pennsylvania communities including but not limited to:  Allentown, Altoona, Bedford, Bethlehem, Bloomsburg, Butler, Carlisle, Chambersburg, Coudersport, Danville, Downingtown, Doylestown, Dubois, Easton, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Hershey, Johnstown, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehighton, Levittown, Lewisburg, Lewistown, Lock Haven, Meadville, Media, Middleburg, Norristown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Pottstown, Pottsville, Reading, Scranton, Shippensburg, Somerset, State College, Sunbury, Towanda, Wellsboro, West Chester, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport and York.

When you have been seriously injured in a truck or tractor trailer accident in Pennsylvania caused by a jackknife  you need justice; and you need a top Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer with years of experience winning the tough cases:  contact Lee Ciccarelli and our Pennsylvania Personal Injury team today.  Call 24/7 at (877) 529-2422.