What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?

Jackknife Truck Crashes

While there are many safety measures in place to prevent dangerous truck accidents, such as securing cargo and heavy loads, truck accidents still accounted for 4,119 road deaths in 2019. 74% of these truck accident deaths involved tractor-trailer trucks, with around 10% of semi-truck accidents associated with jackknife crashes. When semi-trucks are out of control, jackknifing truck accidents are one of the most deadly types of collisions. These collisions can involve a single-vehicle crash or can cause a long buildup of vehicle crashes, resulting in multiple deaths.

What Causes Jackknife Accidents?

Trucks often jackknife when the driver loses control of the vehicle due to the trailer gaining momentum by swinging out to the side, while the front vehicle slows down. Truck jackknife accidents are mostly caused by driver error, but there are other variables as well.

Trucks can jackknife due to:

• Excessive speed
• Stopping suddenly, which can cause the trailer to continue moving forward
• Fatigued driving
• Equipment malfunction, such as brake failures or tire failure
• Bad weather conditions, such as ice, rain, fog, or wind
• Turning too quickly or taking an extremely sharp turn
• Improper handling due to lack of training
• Overcompensating a safety maneuver such as swerving too far into the next lane to avoid an animal crossing the road
• Purposeful actions by the truck driver to scare or harm other drivers

Regardless of the reason, an accident may be unavoidable if a truck starts to jackknife. Surrounding cars and vehicles behind the truck may not be able to avoid the collision since these accidents can take up the width of the highway and happen unexpectedly.

Who Can Be Held At Fault for a Jackknife Truck Accident?

Due to the sheer size and weight of an 18-wheeler, jackknife truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and even death. But who can be held responsible for the truck accident?

Most times, the truck driver is primarily at fault. However, there may be other parties responsible for the accident, such as:

• The truck company: Trucking companies have a responsibility to train their drivers properly and to make sure they drive safely on the road. But this does not always happen. In fact, many companies force drivers to continue driving past the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours of service regulations, increasing the possibility of a jackknife accident.
• Cargo loaders: If the company that loaded the tractor trailer had not properly balanced the cargo, the truck could be in danger of jackknifing. If the weight is too far forward, it can cause the brakes to become more sensitive, leading to the trailer swinging out to the side.
• The vehicle and parts manufacturers: If a part on the truck is defective, it can cause a jackknife accident to occur. For example, a faulty brake system locks up the brakes when a driver attempts to make a hard stop. With the axles locked up, it can cause the trailer to travel in a separate direction from the truck. If the manufacturer had known about the faulty brake system yet did not fix the issue, it could be held liable for this accident.
• The truck owner or maintenance company: Unlike passenger vehicles, trucks are constantly on the road, so they need constant maintenance. But many times, regular maintenance is ignored by the truck owner or the maintenance company. If this occurs, problems with the truck will go unnoticed until it’s too late.

What to Do After a Truck Jackknifing Accident

If you have been in an accident with an 18-wheeler, commercial truck, towing vehicle, or any other type of truck that jackknifes, you are in an extremely dangerous situation. Not only have you collided with a truck that can weigh up to 8,000 lbs, but your car may be in a vulnerable position on the highway, resulting in another accident.

Immediately after a jackknife crash, your safety and your passenger’s safety are a top priority. Here are steps you can take if you’ve just experienced a jackknifing truck crash:

• Take a moment to make sure everyone is ok. Examine your injuries and those in the car with you.
• Call 911 to report the jackknifing truck accident and report any injuries that you or your passengers may have received.
• Move to safety if you can. If you’re able to move your car to the side of the road, then do so. If you feel this would create an even more dangerous situation for you, stay put.
• Wait for emergency personnel to respond and turn on your hazard lights.
• Fill out an accident report with the police and ask to obtain this report for your insurance claim. Keep your statement brief and stick with the facts of the accident. Do not admit fault.
• Take photos of your vehicle, the truck that jackknifed, the other vehicles that were involved, and the accident scene itself. These photos can be given to your insurance to show damage. Photos of the accident scene can be used when filing a lawsuit against the other partners.
• Exchange information with all parties involved, and take down the information of any witnesses.
• Go to the hospital and get checked out. Even if you don’t think you were injured in the truck crash, it’s important to have a medical professional examine you. Truck accident injuries often do not appear until days after the accident.
• Contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Truck jackknife accidents are often more complicated than car accidents, with reckless negligence and other factors to investigate.

What Are the Common Injuries in a Jackknife Truck Accident?

If you have been the victim of a jackknife truck accident, the injuries sustained can be life-changing or deadly. Thousands of drivers and passengers are injured due to these accidents each year, and injuries can include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Back and neck injuries such as whiplash, herniated discs, neck spasms, etc.
• Amputation
• Disfigurement
• Lacerations

Not all injuries from a truck jackknife accident are physical. There can be emotional and psychological trauma after a serious accident, such as PTSD. You might experience disturbed sleeping, severe anxiety, or depression after this stressful event.

The toll of any type of truck accident can cause major life changes. You could be facing mounting medical debt, lost wages, and changes in your daily routine. That’s why you need an experienced truck accident lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve so you and your family can get back to normal. Our law firm handles trucking cases in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland, and throughout the DC Metro area.

Contact a Truck Jackknife Accident Attorney Today

If you have been injured in an accident due to a truck jackknifing, contact our personal injury attorneys at Regan Zambri Long PLLC as soon as you can. Our firm has decades of experience working with truck accident victims and will work to get you full compensation for your injuries. Call (202) 960-4746 or send us a message to schedule your no-cost consultation.