Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers

A “jackknife accident” refers to one in which a large truck begins to skid. The trailer swings away from the truck, causing the trailer to fold across the highway (like a jackknife). These accidents often lead to severe traffic congestion because the trailer can block many traffic lanes and be especially difficult to remove. 

Rollovers can occur in large trucks, just like any other vehicle. In fact, if a truck driver is inexperienced or not used to the load on his rig, a rollover can be even more likely. Truck drivers must maintain control over their cargo load at all times.

If not, the vehicle can roll. Rollovers are dangerous in any vehicle because they cause multiple collisions within the same accident. When a heavy truck or large cargo load is involved, the collision generates even more force, and injuries are even more likely to be serious – or even fatal. 

Tire blowouts also occur in large trucks, just the same as passenger vehicles. In some trucks, such as an eighteen-wheeler, a blowout can be even more likely, simply because there are more tires to blow. A blowout is more dangerous in a large, heavy truck than in smaller passenger vehicles. This increased danger occurs because it is more difficult to maintain control of a large vehicle, especially one with a separate cargo load. 

Large trucks have a larger turning radius than smaller vehicles. As a result, they need more room to maneuver through places like intersections. Truck drivers who are not prepared for this can cause collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians nearby. They can also injure other drivers by parts that fly off the truck or tipping their truck altogether.

Trucks have larger blind spots than smaller vehicles. This feature can lead to accidents when truck drivers are not prepared or rely too heavily on their limited mirror range. Other drivers nearby must be cautious and allow more room when a truck is nearby. Doing this helps you stay out of the driver’s blind spot.

Large trucks also require a longer braking distance. This occurs because the weight and size of the vehicle generate more force, which in turn takes more braking effort to stop. Newer truck drivers might not be prepared for this, and rear-end vehicles ahead of them if they are not prepared to stop in time. Even experienced drivers can cause rear-end collisions if they are distracted while operating the truck. 

Because semi-trucks are so high, small passenger vehicles could actually become wedged underneath them. This can lead to catastrophic injuries such as decapitation. The Department of Transportation required the use of “Mansfield Bars” on the back of all trucks in the United States after an especially devastating accident in the 1960s.

Actress Jayne Mansfield was riding in the front seat of a car that was wedged under the semi-truck in front of it. The accident killed her instantly. Her children in the backseat – including future Law and Order Actress Mariska Hargitay – survived the accident. After this tragic accident, the government required trucks to be equipped with bars across the back to prevent vehicles from being pulled under the truck. Unfortunately, these bars are still not required on the sides of trucks, and underride accidents still occur in these areas. 

Trucks are difficult to control. The load on the truck can make it even more challenging to control the vehicle. Liquid cargo (such as gasoline) can create a heavy sloshing effect, which can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle if it is not stopped in time. Large trailers are attached to many semi-trucks, and these too create different centers of gravity, which require a driver to adapt. In some cases, the loss of control causes the cargo to detach from the vehicle altogether. Detached cargo is wildly dangerous to everyone in the vicinity.