Handling Cases Involving Jackknifed Tractor-Trailers

When a Truck Folds Across the Roadway, Surrounding Drivers Pay the Price

By Attorney Briant G. Mildenhall
Partner, Fried Goldberg, LLC

Jackknife accidents involving tractor-trailers are some of the most dangerous on the road, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities dure to head-on or underride collisions that result when a tractor-trailer jackknifes. 

For these cases, it's important to understand the causes, liability factors, and steps for building a strong case. Here, we’ll cover the common causes of jackknife accidents and provide guidance on how to approach a case involving one.

What is a Jackknife Accident?

A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer of a truck swings out and forms a 90-degree angle with the cab, resembling a folding pocketknife. This can lead to a dangerous situation where the truck may swerve across lanes, hitting other vehicles or blocking traffic entirely. Jackknifing can result in rollovers as well. 

Ultimately, regaining control over a tractor-trailer that jackknifes is near impossible. Jackknifing can also occur on just one trailer if the tractor is pulling double trailers. Due to their large size and weight, tractor-trailers in a jackknife position can cause extensive damage, leading to devastating accidents with surrounding vehicles. 

Most often, these collisions occur in a head-on fashion in an opposing lane or when surrounding vehicles underride the trailer that has lost control.

Common Causes of Jackknife Accidents

Several factors can contribute to a truck jackknifing, including driver actions, road conditions, and mechanical issues. Some common causes include:

• Sudden Braking: One of the primary causes of jackknife accidents is sudden or hard braking. When a driver brakes too quickly, especially on wet or icy roads, the trailer may continue moving forward while the cab slows down, causing the trailer to swing out. 
• Speeding: Excessive speed makes it difficult for a driver to control a large vehicle, especially in emergency situations. Speeding also reduces a driver’s ability to stop smoothly, which can lead to jackknifing if the driver brakes too abruptly.
• Weather Conditions: Adverse weather, such as rain, snow, or ice, can reduce tire traction and make it difficult for drivers to maintain control of their trailers. Jackknifing is particularly common when roads are wet or icy, as the reduced friction can cause the trailer to slide. Windy conditions can also contribute to loss of control of a light or empty trailer that can then lead to a jackknife situation.
• Improperly Loaded Cargo: Trucks with improperly distributed or unsecured cargo are at a higher risk of jackknifing. An imbalanced load can create additional strain on the trailer, making it more likely to swing out of control if the driver has to brake or swerve unexpectedly.
• Driver Inattention and Fatigue: Truck drivers are often under pressure to complete routes quickly, which can lead to fatigue. Fatigue impairs reaction times and decision-making, increasing the risk of sudden maneuvers that may cause jackknifing. Quick and sudden braking by a distracted driver can cause jackknifing.
• Mechanical Failures: Mechanical issues, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, can also contribute to jackknifing. If a truck's brakes fail, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, resulting in the trailer swinging out. A tire blowout or multiple tire blowouts/tread loss can cause the trailer to lose control as well.

Steps to Take After a Jackknife Accident

1. Gather Critical Evidence Immediately – The aftermath of a jackknife crash can be chaotic, but early documentation is key to proving what went wrong. If possible, have an accident reconstructionist or investigator photograph the scene, vehicle positions, skid marks, and damage to both the tractor and trailer. Capture surrounding road conditions, weather, and traffic patterns as well.
2. Secure Electronic Data From the Truck – Modern tractor-trailers are equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs), often referred to as “black boxes,” that record vital data in the seconds before and after a crash. This information can reveal speed, braking force, steering input, and other factors that help determine why the driver lost control. Preserving this data before it’s overwritten or deleted is critical for building a strong liability case.
3. Identify All Contributing Factors – Beyond driver error, jackknife accidents often involve tire wear, improper cargo loading, or mechanical failures that affect stability and braking performance. A thorough inspection of maintenance records and carrier safety practices can uncover whether negligence on the part of the trucking company played a role.

Determining Liability in a Jackknife Accident Case

Jackknife accidents can involve multiple liable parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and potentially even the manufacturer of faulty parts. For instance:

• Driver Negligence: If the driver’s actions, such as speeding, fatigue, or improper maneuvering, contributed to the accident, they may be held liable.
• Trucking Company: In some cases, the trucking company may be liable if they pushed drivers to exceed legal hours, failed to maintain the vehicle, or improperly loaded cargo. Furthermore, the trucking company could be liable for not properly training the driver on how to drive in adverse weather conditions.
• Shipper: If the shipper improperly loaded the trailer, that could create a claim for liability for negligence in loading and securing the load.
• Vehicle Manufacturers: If mechanical failure (such as brake or tire issues) caused the accident, the manufacturer of the faulty parts may be responsible.

Holding Trucking Companies Accountable After a Jackknife Crash

Jackknife accidents are dangerous and often involve multiple complex factors. Understanding the mechanics of the how the crash occurred and getting to the root cause will be crucial to pursuing the case.

At Fried Goldberg LLC, we dig into every angle of a jackknife crash to determine what truly caused it. Our attorneys understand how to analyze electronic control module data, vehicle damage, and roadway evidence to uncover signs of negligence that might otherwise be missed.

If you’re handling a serious jackknife accident case, our team can provide guidance, case support, or co-counsel insight drawn from decades of truck litigation experience nationwide.

Contact Fried Goldberg LLC today to discuss your case strategy and learn how we can help you pursue full accountability for the harm caused.