There are certain unique dangers that are often involved in truck accidents. These include:
- Jackknifing — Sudden braking or turning can cause large trucks to jackknife. Jackknifing is often the result of a truck driver's error.
- Turning Accidents
— Often, truck drivers use two lanes to make a right turn. In some
instances, the fact that a vehicle was turned in this manner is
sufficient to establish a truck driver’s fault in an accident.
If
you are involved in a truck accident, McElyea & Barnard,
P.A., can help you maximize the return on your claim. Our Orlando and
Central Florida truck accident attorneys will help you obtain justice
and hold negligent, reckless, or careless truck drivers liable for your
injuries. Contact our auto accident lawyers to schedule a case consultation.
Rollover Trucking Accidents
While any vehicle can roll over under the right circumstances, those
with a higher center of gravity — such as trucks, vans, and SUVs — are
much more likely to do so. According to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle rollovers accounted for just 3
percent of the 11 million traffic accidents reported in 2002. However,
rollover accidents accounted for 33 percent of traffic fatalities that
year. Typical injuries resulting from rollovers include head injuries,
paralysis, spinal cord injury, brain injury, and wrongful death.
Trucking
rollover accidents typically occur at highway exit and entrance ramps,
when a driver misjudges the turn and enters it going too fast. Other
possible factors in a rollover semi-truck accident include:
Driver Factors
- Not being aware of tractor/trailer limitations
- Steering truck onto soft shoulder
- Drifting off road and abruptly overcompensating
- Driving while impaired by fatigue, alcohol, drugs, etc.
- Driving recklessly
Vehicle Factors
- Unusually top-heavy load
- Improper cargo distribution
- Load shift
- Collapsed suspension
- Under-inflated tires
- Poor brake performance
Highway Factors
- Speed advisory
- Superelevation (banking)
- Transition curvature
- Shoulder condition
- Weather
If
you or a loved one has been the victim of a rollover semi-truck
accident, contact the Law Office of McElyea & Barnard.
Rollover accident victims in the Orlando and Central Florida area can
rely on a semi-truck accident attorney at our firm for experienced and
knowledgeable legal assistance. We can help you receive the
compensation to which you are entitled.
Jackknifing Semi-Truck Accidents
When used to describe a trucking accident, jackknifing refers to the
dangerous situation when a semi-tractor trailer skids, causing it to
swing out to one side. If a truck jackknifes at virtually any speed,
there is a high likelihood of a rollover accident. Generally,
jackknifing occurs when the wheels of a truck's cab lock up during wet
or slippery conditions. While slippery roads can contribute to
jackknifing, often jackknife trucking accidents are the result of
negligence by the truck driver.
What Causes a Truck to Jackknife?
Jackknife
accidents occur when the cab's wheels lock as the truck approaches a
slick spot. The trailer continues to roll forward, causing the driver
to lose control and the trailer to swing out to one side. During an
emergency, a truck driver has three braking options:
- Locking the steering axle brakes, which causes the rig to move straight ahead regardless of wheel angle.
- Locking the drive axles. This often results in a jackknife accident.
- Locking the trailer axles, which may cause the driver to lose directional control.
At
the Law Office of McElyea & Barnard, our semi-truck
accident lawyers understand that the outcome of difficulties on the
road depend on the driver's actions. In most cases, locking the
steering axles clearly produces the most desirable outcome. Although
the driver will not be able to steer the cab, the truck and the trailer
will travel in a straight, predictable path. If a truck accident is
caused by the driver locking the drive axles, he or she may be guilty
of negligence. Contact a semi-truck accident attorney if you have been injured in a jackknife accident.
Turning Accidents
Trucks have unique speed, turning, visibility, and braking
requirements. When drivers fail to observe them, such negligence can
cause or contribute to a truck accident. Often, truck drivers use two
lanes to make a right turn. In some instances, the fact that a
semi-tractor trailer was turned in this manner is sufficient to
establish a truck driver’s liability in an accident.
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