Jackknifed Truck Collides Head-On With Vehicle Causing Major Injuries

The driver of a pickup truck sustained major injuries after a big rig jackknifed and struck him head-on, according to a report in the News Sentinel. A Cherokee Freight Lines big rig was heading east on a two-lane highway when the traffic suddenly slowed. The truck’s driver slammed on his brakes to avoid rear-ending the traffic, but instead the rear trailer jackknifed. The out-of-control big rig crossed into the opposing lane colliding head-on with a Nissan pickup. The smaller vehicle’s driver was trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated by emergency personnel. The big rig’s driver sustained minor injuries. Officials believe that the big rig driver will be found at fault for driving at an unsafe speed.

When a truck is said to have “jackknifed” it means that the back end of the big rig whips around toward the truck cab and the driver loses control of the truck. Basically, the big rig becomes this huge steel projectile traveling down the road at highway speeds taking down everything in its path. Needless to say, these types of accidents have the potential to cause serious personal injuries and fatalities to other commuters. As officials have said in this case, this injury accident could have been avoided had the truck driver been driving at a safe speed. In such accidents, the truck driver and the trucking firm could be held liable for injuries caused to victims. In cases that result in fatalities, families of deceased victims can also file wrongful death claims against the trucking companies.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington truck accident, please contact the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys at The Bernard Law Group at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE comprehensive and confidential consultation and case evaluation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about big rig accident cases, which offers useful, educational information that will help you understand your legal rights and options. Please contact Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today to discuss your Seattle truck accident case.

Source:http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2009/12/11/news/1_wreck_091211.txt