A car hauler jackknifed on the 210 Freeway in Arcadia today.
The crash happened about 7 p.m. on the eastbound 210 Freeway at Santa Anita Ave. A big rig hauling Audi sports cars was traveling eastbound on the freeway when it blew a tire and crashed into the center divider. According to the Monrovia Fire Department, the big rig rear-ended a couple of other cars and pushed them along the center divider. The truck's cab broke through the center divider and ended up in westbound lanes. The big rig collided with a Mercedes SUV. The accident invovled at least five other vehicles.
Five people, including the big rig driver, were tansported to a local hospital.
When a Truck Jackknifes
A "jackknife accident" refers to a crash in which a tractor-trailer bends and becomes folded over on itself, making it look like a partially opened pocketknife. Jackknifing is most likely to happen when a big rig hauling a trailer skids. The trailer's weight pushes the tractor from behind, swinging the back end of the tractor around and pushing the trailer forward.
The skid of a tractor-trailer can be triggered by a slippery roadway, mechanical failure (including brake failure), or improper braking (sometimes caused by driver distraction).
Big rig jackknifing can also be caused by tire blowouts, as was apparently the case with today's 210 Freeway crash. The three most common causes of tractor-trailer tire blowouts are defective tires, failure to inspect, or poor maintenance.
If you have been injured as the result of an accident involving a jackknifed tractor-trailer or a big rig tire blowout, you should seek the advice of an experienced truck accident attorney. McGee, Lerer & Associates is a Pasadena personal injury law firm. Our husband and wife team of truck accident lawyers is available 24-7 for a free consultation.