Jackknife truck accidents are some of the most dangerous types of crashes that can happen on the roads. These wrecks occur when a large commercial truck, like an 18-wheeler or semi-truck, folds in on itself at the joint between the cab and trailer.
The trailer swings out to the side, often crossing over lanes of traffic. This causes the truck to look like a folding pocket knife - which is where the name "jackknife accident" comes from.
When a massive truck jackknifes out of control, it can slam into multiple vehicles, roll over, or even fall off the road or highway.
Any cars, motorcycles, or pedestrians in the path of the out-of-control trailer are at extreme risk of severe injury or death. Jackknife truck crashes frequently result in devastating multi-vehicle pileups.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a jackknife tractor-trailer wreck, it's important to understand your legal rights. You may recover significant financial compensation.
Keep reading to learn more about what causes jackknife accidents, common injuries that can result, and what to do if you've been involved in this type of crash. And remember, an experienced truck accident attorney can review your case for free and advise you of your options.
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What Causes Jackknife Truck Accidents?
Jackknife crashes are usually caused by truck driver error or negligence.
Some of the most common factors that lead to a semi-truck folding up on itself include:
- Speeding - If a trucker drives too fast, especially around a curve or when roads are slippery, the trailer can swing out, causing the truck to lose control. Truck drivers are held to strict rules about obeying posted speed limits. When they fail to follow these regulations, they put everyone on the road at risk.
- Sudden braking - Slamming on the brakes can cause the trailer to skid and swing out to the side, leading to a jackknife crash. This is especially dangerous if the trucker does not maintain their brakes properly. Worn down or defective brakes may lock up, making it impossible for the trucker to stop safely.
- Distracted driving - If a truck driver takes their eyes off the road to check their phone, eat, or engage in any other distracted driving, they may not notice slowed or stopped traffic in time. Rear-ending another vehicle can cause the momentum of the heavy trailer to push the entire truck out of control into a jackknife position.
- Drowsy driving - Truckers often work long, grueling hours. Extreme fatigue can set in if they don't take the required breaks or get enough sleep. A drowsy truck driver may nod off behind the wheel and lose control, causing the truck to jackknife. Even a few seconds of micro-sleep can be catastrophic in a big rig.
- Improperly loaded cargo - An off-balanced or overloaded trailer is a major jackknife risk. If cargo shifts around during transit, it can cause the trailer to suddenly swing to the side. Trucking companies and cargo loaders must ensure semis are loaded within legal weight limits and the freight is properly secured.
- Poor weather conditions - Heavy rain, snow, and ice make roads slick and hazardous. If a trucker does not slow down and drive cautiously in bad weather, the truck can hydroplane or skid out of control. Jackknifes are much more likely to occur in dangerous weather conditions.
- Improper turns - Making a turn too fast or too sharply can cause the trailer and cab to fold together into a jackknife position. Truckers must be extremely careful when navigating tight turns and curves, especially highway on and off ramps. Failing to properly execute a turn in a big rig often has disastrous results.
- Defective equipment - Truck Jackknife accidents can also occur due to faulty or poorly maintained equipment. Worn tires, defective steering components, broken trailer hitches, or malfunctioning brakes can all contribute to a catastrophic jackknife crash.
Truck drivers and trucking companies must drive safely and within the rules. If an accident occurs because a trucker was speeding, distracted, fatigued, or negligent in some other way, the victims may have a case for compensation.
An experienced jackknife truck accident lawyer can investigate the cause of the crash and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Common Injuries in Jackknife Truck Accidents
Due to the massive size and weight of commercial trucks, jackknife accidents frequently cause extremely severe, life-altering injuries to victims in passenger vehicles.
Some common injuries that can result from a semi-truck folding up on itself include:
- Traumatic brain injuries - The extreme forces involved in a jackknife crash can cause vehicle occupants to suffer concussions, skull fractures, contusions, and other TBIs. Brain injuries are some of the most serious types of truck accident injuries and can have permanent consequences.
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis - Victims may suffer herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, severed spinal cords, and nerve damage in a jackknife collision. This can lead to partial or total paralysis, forever changing the victim's life.
- Broken bones - Jackknife accident victims may suffer multiple fractured and broken bones. Compound fractures that break through the skin are an extreme risk for complications and may require surgery to repair.
- Crush injuries - If a jackknifed trailer broadsides or crushes a vehicle, occupants can suffer catastrophic crush injuries. Crush syndrome can kill people, and those who survive often lose limbs or suffer organ failure.
- Lacerations and road rash - Jackknife wrecks frequently eject victims from vehicles or throw them into contact with shattered glass, twisted metal, and rough asphalt. Deep, bleeding lacerations and abrasions can lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement.
- Internal injuries - The blunt force trauma of a truck accident can cause damage to internal organs like the lungs, spleen, liver, kidneys, and heart. Internal bleeding and hemorrhaging is a life-threatening injury that requires emergency treatment.
- Severe burns - If a jackknifed truck transports flammable or hazardous materials, the crash can cause fires and explosions. Victims can suffer excruciatingly painful third and fourth-degree burns over large portions of their bodies.
- Neck and back injuries - Whiplash, slipped or herniated discs, soft tissue damage, and spinal injuries are all common in truck accidents. Victims may experience chronic pain and need ongoing treatment and physical therapy to cope with neck and back problems.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - In addition to physical injuries, many truck accident survivors must deal with mental and emotional scars. PTSD, depression, anxiety, and phobias are common after a serious wreck. Victims may need counseling to recover a sense of well-being and get their lives back.
No matter what types of injuries you suffered, if you suffered an injury in a jackknife truck crash that wasn't your fault, you shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for medical bills and other losses.
The truck driver or trucking company may owe you compensation for your hospital bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Jackknife Truck Accident
Jackknife truck accident cases are complex, high-stakes legal matters. Trucking companies and their insurers have teams of defense lawyers who will try to limit their liability and pay victims as little as possible.
You need an aggressive attorney looking out for your best interests to level the playing field and get the money you deserve.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can:
Thoroughly Investigate the Crash
After a serious jackknife truck accident, your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the crash to determine exactly what happened.
The goal is to determine how the accident occurred and who was at fault. This is a key step in building a strong case for getting you the compensation you deserve.
Your attorney and their team will get to work immediately gathering evidence and piecing together the crash details. They will visit the accident scene as soon as possible to survey the area, take photos, and look for clues like skid marks, debris, and vehicle damage. The lawyer will also get a copy of the police accident report with important information about the crash.
In addition, your attorney will track down any witnesses who saw what happened and get their statements about what they observed. If a traffic camera or surveillance video captured the accident, your lawyer will obtain copies of the footage. The more evidence you collect, the better.
For more complex cases, your truck accident lawyer may hire professional accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash. These highly trained specialists use state-of-the-art technology and techniques to create detailed diagrams and 3D models showing exactly how the collision happened.
An expert witness who can explain complicated accident concepts in simple terms can make a big difference in your case.
By methodically investigating the accident from every angle, your lawyer will uncover the truth about what happened and identify all of the parties who may be at fault.
Trucking companies and their insurance providers will often try to point the finger at others to avoid taking responsibility. But your attorney will cut through the noise and build a case that clearly establishes who is liable for your injuries.
Identify All Potential Sources of Compensation
Getting full and fair compensation after a jackknife truck accident often means going after all possible sources of recovery. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, you could hold one or more parties held liable for the damage.
Truckers, trucking companies, and other parties often point the finger at each other or try to shift blame to the victim. But a skilled attorney will cut through the he-said, she-said and get to the bottom of who you can hold responsible.
Your lawyer will examine all the evidence and follow the chain of responsibility to identify every party who may owe you compensation. In many cases, you may pursue multiple sources of recovery. The more parties you can hold liable, the better the odds of securing full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Handle Communications and Negotiations
A devastating crash involving a truck can leave you struggling to navigate the complexities of dealing with trucking companies and their insurance providers, especially when you are trying to recover from painful injuries.
Fortunately, one of the most valuable services your jackknife truck accident lawyer will provide is handling all communications and negotiations with the other parties on your behalf.
As soon as you hire an attorney, you can direct all calls and correspondence from the trucking company and insurance adjusters to your lawyer. Your attorney and their staff will field these communications for you so that you can concentrate on getting better. Let your lawyer manage these interactions so you don't say anything that can be used against you later.
Most reputable truck accident attorneys offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront to get started and no legal fees unless and until your lawyer recovers money for you.
If a jackknife tractor-trailer crash seriously hurts you or a loved one, don't wait to seek legal representation. You face strict deadlines for filing truck accident lawsuits.
If you miss the statute of limitations for your claim, you can lose your right to compensation entirely. An attorney can file all paperwork on time and keep your case on track.
Contact a Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Jackknife truck accidents cause untold devastation. Victims are often left with astronomical medical bills, unable to work and support their families. If the unthinkable has happened to you, you have rights and legal options.
You may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and losses. While no amount of money can undo the trauma you've experienced, a financial recovery can help pay the bills, keep your family afloat, and hold the responsible parties accountable so the same thing doesn't happen to someone else.
Don't try to take on the trucking companies alone. Put a skilled jackknife truck accident attorney on your side to fight for your rights. A knowledgeable lawyer can explain the legal process and give you the best chance at getting the full and fair compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation. You have nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain. Call now to start on the road to recovery.