Jackknifing semi strikes car
FORT MEYERS, FL- News-press.com writes that a semi-truck jackknifed on Interstate 75 this week, leading to three people suffering severe injuries. The afternoon truck accident took place in Fort Meyers when the trucker lost control of his vehicle.
Reports state that the driver, a 35-year-old man from Homestead, was traveling northbound when traffic in front of his truck began to slow down. The trucker did not initially notice that the traffic was slowing, and ended up veering his vehicle to the left in an attempt to avoid colliding with other cars. The truck jackknifed, causing the trailer to strike a car. The smaller vehicle was then pushed against a guardrail and wedged between the rail and the rear of the truck.
Three people were in the car at the time, including a 26-year-old woman who was driving the vehicle, a 50-year-old woman and a three-year-old girl. All three of those individuals were injured in the crash. Their conditions were described as serious. Police officers cited the man operating the truck for careless driving.
Following the crash, the police stated that drivers need to slow down, put down their phones, increase the distance between their car and other vehicles, and turn on their lights.
Truck drivers can avoid jackknifing by careful driving. These crashes are often the result of a loss of friction. In fact, empty trailers may increase the risk because the lightweight leads to less friction on the road. Drivers should also brake carefully, and not while in a turn or going around a curve. The brakes ought to be applied while traveling the stretch of road leading up to the curve or turn.
