what causes a truck to jackknife?

Jackknife Accidents. When the truck jackknifes, it may lead to a multiple vehicle collision because cars behind the truck cannot stop and quickly get blocked by the considerable tractor-trailer. These common causes of jackknifing and the resulting dangerous accidents include: The tires are worn down and/or the tire pressure is uneven. Jackknife accidents occur when the cab of the truck skids in one direction while the trailer goes in another direction. Semi-truck accidents are some of the most dangerous of all types of motor vehicle accidents. Another cause for a semi-truck to jackknife is if the semi-truck driver is going too fast. Some of the most common include: Hazardous Weather Conditions. What is a Jackknifing Accident? Jackknife accidents are one of the most common types of accidents for tractor-trailers because the trailer is not attached entirely to the rig. The platform of the trailer connects to the cabin of the truck with only a simple hitch, which allows for free movement of …

A jackknife is a term that means a large trailer cab skids and the trailer of the truck swings in the other direction, landing at a 90 degree angle. What causes semi-trucks to jackknife? A report by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis concluded that jackknife accidents account for 10 percent of all truck-related occupant fatalities. What causes a truck to jackknife? This happens when a truck driver is speeding and slams the brakes while going too fast on a curve or a slippery road.

There are multiple reasons as to why jackknife accidents happen. In fact, in 2016, more than 3,800 people were killed as a result of a semi-truck accident according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

This article is in list format, but may read better as prose. What Causes a Semi-truck to Jackknife? What Causes Jackknife Accidents?

Semi-truck jackknife accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. When a large commercial truck cab moves in one direction while the wheels move in a different direction, jackknifes can occur.

This is dangerous because the back of the truck can drift into cars, or cause the semi-truck to rollover. In nearly all cases, the truck was a single trailer, not a double. Weather conditions can impact a truck driver’s ability to safely operate their vehicle. Understanding what causes a truck to jackknife on the road. Jackknife accidents can pose a serious risk of death. Sometimes the force of the accident causes the truck to tip or roll onto its side. This, in turn, causes the trailer to push the front vehicle, including the cab where the driver resides, to one side. A jackknife accident is a type of accident that occurs when the cab of a truck skids in one direction while the trailer goes the other way. The trailer swings out to the side and causes the tractor to overturn. Despite many advances in truck design and safety over the years, what causes a truck to jackknife has pretty much remained the same. In some cases, the momentum and heavy weight of the trailer cause it to swing from side to side. This is known as a “trailer slew” or “trailer swing” and can be just as dangerous as a jackknifing truck. These statistics prove the seriousness of truck collisions and how common they are on our roadways. When the brakes are not functioning as they should, it causes the axles to lock up, especially when braking hard. In many of these crashes, the truck overturns because it … Improper Braking: When a commercial truck driver fails to follow the correct braking procedures, then a truck can jackknife and cause an accident. Recent Jackknife Accidents. “Jackknifing” is a type of truck accident that involves the rear cargo hold of an 18-wheeler truck drifting in a way that causes the vehicle to bend. Anti-jackknife devices. One of the most common causes is that the truck is in need of brake maintenance or adjustment. Jackknife accidents occur when a tractor towing a trailer folds resembling the angle of a folding knife. The three main causes of jackknife accidents involve driver error, improper maintenance, and poor road conditions.