Autor: Shelby Benavidez  

Abogado colaborador: Mark O'Donnell, Attorney 

Jackknife accidents are some of the most dangerous events involving large commercial trucks. These crashes often result in significant damage, serious injuries, and fatalities. Understanding the causes of jackknifing, who may be held liable, and the options available to victims is crucial in determining the proper course of action after an accident. This article offers a legal perspective on jackknife trucking accidents, including an explanation of what this means, what causes it to happen, and how victims can get compensation.  

Understanding Jackknifing  

What Does it Mean to Jackknife a Truck?  

A jackknife accident happens when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side and forms an acute angle with the cab. This typically happens when the trailer loses traction for various reasons and pivots uncontrollably while the driver continues forward. Once the trailer is out of alignment, the driver won’t be able to steer or stop effectively, often causing the truck and trailer to crash into other vehicles, barriers, or pedestrians. These accidents can block multiple lanes of traffic, cause chain reactions, and result in life-threatening injuries.  

Why Do They Call It Jackknifing?  

A jackknife, in its traditional sense, is a pocketknife that swivels closed to conceal the blade and protect its carrier while in a pocket or bag. When a trucker loses control of his trailer and it swings forward to be angled with the truck, it resembles the angle of a pocketknife closing in on itself. It’s a simple description, but accurate, nonetheless.  

Causes, Prevention, and Recovery  

What Causes Jackknifing?  

Jackknife accidents can be caused by many different factors including mechanical failure, driver error, and environmental conditions. One of the most common causes is a driver slamming on his brakes, especially on slick or uneven roads. When a trucker carrying a trailer brakes too forcefully, the trailer can lose traction and swing out. This is very common in the rain. Speeding also increases the risk of jackknifing because the driver’s time to react and adjust to changes in the road becomes greatly reduced. Similarly, sharp turns taken too quickly can also cause the trailer to swing wide and destabilize the truck.  

Another major factor in jackknifing is improper cargo loading. If the trailer’s contents are unevenly distributed or unsecured, it can create a weight imbalance. Mechanical issues, such as worn tires or malfunctioning brakes, are also frequent culprits. Even when the driver does everything right, slippery road surfaces caused by ice, rain, or oil spills can reduce traction enough to trigger a jackknife. 

Can You Recover from a Jackknife?  

Recovering from a jackknife is extremely difficult, but not always impossible. Skilled drivers may be able to regain control by taking precise and immediate action. One technique involves steering into the skid, which helps realign the trailer with the cab and reduces the severity of the angle. Releasing the brakes gradually, rather than slamming them, can also allow the wheels to regain traction. If the truck is equipped with a trailer brake control system, applying the trailer brakes independently rather than the truck’s main brakes can stabilize the trailer without locking up the drive wheels. Additionally, trucks equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) can benefit from the system’s ability to prevent wheel lockup during hard braking, helping the driver maintain steering control and reducing the likelihood of a jackknife.  

However, once the angle between the cab and trailer becomes too sharp, the likelihood of regaining control drops dramatically. Preventing a jackknife from happening is still the best defense because the opportunity for recovery in the moment is usually a matter of milliseconds.  

How to Avoid Jackknifing  

Preventing jackknife accidents requires a combination of sound mechanical practices and driver awareness. Routine maintenance is critical to ensure that brakes, tires, and suspension systems are functioning properly.  

“To avoid a jackknife accident from happening, drivers should use proper braking techniques which consist of gradual, steady pressure to the brakes,” Daniel Stark Attorney Mark O’Donnell said. Drivers should also be familiar with how to manage braking systems on long downhill grades or slippery roads. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS), now standard in many commercial trucks, also help prevent wheel lock-up and give the driver more control during emergency maneuvers. 

Proper cargo loading is also essential, as uneven weight distribution can dramatically affect the truck’s center of gravity and handling. Speed moderation is also really important because maintaining appropriate speeds and increasing following distance can give drivers more time to react to potential hazards. 

Jackknife accidents account for approximately 5% of all large truck crashes in the United States, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). While this may not seem like a large number, these crashes are often some of the most dangerous. Jackknifing statistically leads to multi-vehicle pile ups, road closures, and severe injuries and fatalities due to the size and speed of the truck stretching across the roadway.  

Who is Liable in a Jackknife Trucking Accident?  

Liability in a jackknife accident can fall on multiple parties, depending on the specific facts of the case.  

“Determining liability in a jackknife trucking accident is complex and requires detailed investigation, usually requiring the help of experts in the field,” O’Donnell said.  

The truck driver may be found negligent if they were speeding, fatigued, distracted, or failed to adjust their driving to suit road conditions. In many cases, the trucking company may also share responsibility. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers can be held liable for the actions of their employees while on duty. Additionally, a company that fails to properly maintain its fleet or enforce safety protocols may be directly liable for the injuries of the trucker and other drivers.  

Other potential defendants may include cargo loaders, if poor weight distribution contributed to the crash, or vehicle or parts manufacturers, if mechanical failure was due to a defect. In rare cases, government entities responsible for road maintenance or traffic control may also bear some responsibility if hazardous conditions or design flaws played a role in the accident.  

“In addition to the driver, responsibility could be shared with the motor carrier, broker, maintenance companies, manufacturers of the truck and its components,” O’Donnell said. “There’s usually a lot more below the surface that requires a skilled team to truly determine what caused a crash.” 

Proving liability requires collecting and analyzing a range of evidence, including electronic logging device (ELD) data, maintenance records, driver logs, dashcam footage, eyewitness statements, and sometimes expert analysis in accident reconstruction.  

Determining whether the driver acted with reasonable care, whether the trucking company maintained the vehicle properly, and whether external factors contributed to the crash is critical. Attorneys may examine federal and state trucking regulations, particularly those issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), to assess compliance with safety standards, maintenance schedules, and hours-of-service rules.  

Contacte a un abogado  

If you or someone you love has been injured in a jackknife trucking accident, we highly suggest consulting with an experienced trucking accident attorney.  

“It’s common to have adrenaline mask injury symptoms right away, but if you feel off it’s best practice to consult an attorney as soon as possible so the necessary steps can be made in an investigation,” O’Donnell said. “The longer you wait, the more likely it is key evidence has been lost that could make the world of difference to your case.”  

Because many truckers are backed behind a business, their insurance, and a team of lawyers, you should be, too. A skilled lawyer can help you find and preserve crucial evidence, talk you through the legalities of your case, and help share your unique story to secure full value for your injuries.  

Attorneys will work with investigators and accident reconstruction specialists to prove liability and negotiate with insurers to secure fair settlements. Most importantly, they give you peace of mind that your legal rights are protected and protect you from being pressured into accepting a settlement that does not fully cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term recovery needs.  

From a legal perspective, establishing liability and holding the responsible party accountable requires a deep understanding of trucking laws and experience in these types of crashes. For those injured in a trucking accident, seeking qualified legal counsel might be the only way to get your life back to normal.