What Causes Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents occur when the truck's drive wheels lock up or lose traction, causing the trailer to swing around while the cab continues forward. This creates a folding motion similar to a closing jackknife.
Common causes include:
• Sudden braking or improper braking technique
• Wet, icy, or slippery road conditions
• Excessive speed, especially around curves
• Improperly loaded or unbalanced cargo
• Equipment failures (brakes, tires)
• Driver inexperience or fatigue
Modern anti-lock braking systems (ABS) have reduced jackknife incidents, but they still occur, often due to driver error or failure to maintain equipment properly.
Common causes include:
• Sudden braking or improper braking technique
• Wet, icy, or slippery road conditions
• Excessive speed, especially around curves
• Improperly loaded or unbalanced cargo
• Equipment failures (brakes, tires)
• Driver inexperience or fatigue
Modern anti-lock braking systems (ABS) have reduced jackknife incidents, but they still occur, often due to driver error or failure to maintain equipment properly.
Devastating Impact of Jackknife Crashes
When a 80,000-pound truck jackknifes across multiple lanes, the results are often catastrophic. The swinging trailer acts like a giant blade, striking vehicles with tremendous force. Multiple vehicles may be involved as drivers cannot avoid the suddenly appearing trailer.
Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal organ damage, and amputations. Fatalities are unfortunately common in jackknife accidents, particularly for occupants of smaller vehicles struck by the trailer.
Survivors often face months or years of rehabilitation, permanent disabilities, and substantial medical expenses. The psychological trauma of such violent accidents can also lead to PTSD and anxiety disorders.
Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal organ damage, and amputations. Fatalities are unfortunately common in jackknife accidents, particularly for occupants of smaller vehicles struck by the trailer.
Survivors often face months or years of rehabilitation, permanent disabilities, and substantial medical expenses. The psychological trauma of such violent accidents can also lead to PTSD and anxiety disorders.
Establishing Liability in Jackknife Cases
Multiple parties may be liable for a jackknife accident. The truck driver may be negligent for speeding, improper braking, or driving in conditions beyond their skill level. The trucking company may be liable for inadequate training, pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, or failing to maintain equipment.
The maintenance company may bear responsibility if brake or tire failures contributed to the jackknife. Cargo loading companies can be liable if improper loading caused weight distribution problems.
Proving liability requires expert investigation, including accident reconstruction, review of maintenance records, and analysis of electronic data from the truck. Time-sensitive evidence makes prompt legal action essential.
The maintenance company may bear responsibility if brake or tire failures contributed to the jackknife. Cargo loading companies can be liable if improper loading caused weight distribution problems.
Proving liability requires expert investigation, including accident reconstruction, review of maintenance records, and analysis of electronic data from the truck. Time-sensitive evidence makes prompt legal action essential.
Maximizing Compensation
Jackknife accident victims may recover compensation for medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, disability and disfigurement, loss of consortium, and in fatal cases, wrongful death damages.
Given the severity of injuries, lifetime costs can reach millions of dollars. Expert economists and life care planners help calculate future damages. Our attorneys work with these specialists to ensure your claim reflects the true cost of your injuries.
Commercial trucks typically carry $1-5 million in liability insurance. In serious jackknife accidents, policy limits may be available, but insurance companies fight fiercely to minimize payouts.
Given the severity of injuries, lifetime costs can reach millions of dollars. Expert economists and life care planners help calculate future damages. Our attorneys work with these specialists to ensure your claim reflects the true cost of your injuries.
Commercial trucks typically carry $1-5 million in liability insurance. In serious jackknife accidents, policy limits may be available, but insurance companies fight fiercely to minimize payouts.