Causes for Jackknife and Rollover Truck Accidents in Kentucky

Two of the most common types of truck accidents are jackknifes and rollovers. A jackknife accident is when the cab of the truck turns so sharply that it folds back toward the trailer, sometimes so violently that the cab can detach from the trailer.

A rollover is when the entire truck tilts so far that the entire unit falls over, either coming to rest upside down or on the other side, crushing anything in its wake.

Many studies have been conducted on truck accidents, analyzing the weight, cargo distribution, length, and speed of the truck involved, as well as the road conditions. The National Center for Statistics and Analysis has concluded from their study of fatal truck accidents that excessive speeds, poor weather, and curved roads increase the odds of both rollovers and jackknife accidents. 

The heavier a truck gets, the more it is likely to suffer a rollover, but the odds of a jackknife decrease. The opposite is true for the length of a truck. The longer a truck is, the more danger of a jackknife, but less chance of a rollover. The need to apply immediate braking also increases the chance of a jackknife due to the abrupt decrease in speed. Rollovers are also affected by improperly balanced cargo and increase in frequency with sharp turns.

Jackknife and rollover accidents accounted for 19% of fatal truck accidents in a 4-year-period recorded in the NCSA's 2000 report on fatal truck accidents. There are several other types of truck accidents you may be involved in and our article, Common Types of Fatal Truck Accidents can explain more.

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a truck accident in Kentucky, the attorneys at Gray and White Law are here to help. We have successfully handled many Kentucky truck accident and wrongful death cases. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation of your case - 1-800-634-8767.