Among the most dangerous and frightening collision types that passenger vehicle drivers understandably dread is jackknife accidents. Commercial vehicles jackknife when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming a sharp angle with the cab.
Due to the size of commercial trucks, a vehicle’s trailer could collide with passenger vehicles in adjacent lanes during this kind of incident. Understanding the driving behaviors that increase the risks of being caught up in a jackknife accident can help passenger vehicles more effectively avoid these collisions.
Speeding
One driver behavior that can increase a passenger driver’s risk of being involved in a jackknife accident is exceeding stipulated speed limits. When a passenger vehicle is traveling at high speeds, the driver has little time to react to sudden changes in traffic. They may drive right into a jackknife accident that they might have avoided if they were driving at the stipulated speed limit.
Tailgating
Maintaining a decent following distance when driving behind a commercial truck. is always wise. This way, if the truck stops suddenly, the passenger vehicle driver is less likely to collide with the truck’s trailer.
Drivers should know that breaking hard increases the likelihood of the truck trailer swinging out of control. Maintaining a safe following distance is essential for giving passenger vehicle drivers enough time to react to such an unexpected situation.
Improper passing
Attempting to pass a commercial vehicle incorrectly in traffic is another behavior that increases the risk of being involved in a jackknife accident. Passenger vehicles should particularly not attempt to pass a truck on the right side.
This can be very dangerous because truck drivers have limited visibility on their right due to the sheer size of the vehicles they’re operating. If the truck driver does not see the vehicle and attempts to merge into the right lane, they may be forced to brake suddenly or swerve, increasing the risk of losing control of the trailer.
Passenger vehicle drivers can look out for themselves when driving next to commercial trucks to minimize their risk of getting involved in a jackknife accident. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that they can still be caught up in a collision if a truck trailer swings out of control. If another party bears the responsibility for the collision, an affected driver can seek legal help to advocate for themselves.