Semi-truck jackknife accidents are among the most devastating collisions on Florida’s roads and highways. The massive size and weight of these large commercial vehicles can cause catastrophic damage and injuries when they crash.
In Florida, there were 29 fatal heavy truck accidents in 2022, with 107 accidents resulting in incapacitating injuries. Across the U.S., 70% of those who died in large truck crashes that same year were the occupants of passenger vehicles.
Understanding what causes a truck to jackknife and working with a Miami truck accident lawyer from Aigen Injury Law can protect your rights and help you get full compensation to pay for your injuries and other damages.
What is a Jackknife Crash?
One of the most dangerous types of semi-truck accidents is a jackknife crash. This occurs when the tractor and trailer portions of the truck fold at an approximately 90-degree angle, resembling a folding jackknife. Jackknifing causes the truck’s body to strike itself as the trailer swings out and collides with the tractor portion.
These crashes are dangerous for both the truck driver and any other vehicles nearby. A jackknifing semi can easily block multiple lanes of traffic, plow into stopped or slowed vehicles, swing into concrete barriers, or roll over, often triggering devastating multi-vehicle pileups.
In 2020, there were 169 fatal jackknife crashes in the U.S. There were also 1,000 jackknife crashes that caused injuries.
What Causes a Jackknife?
A jackknife accident can happen for several reasons. Many are caused by some form of truck driver negligence, including:
- Sharp Turns: Taking turns too quickly or at a sharp angle can cause the trailer to lose alignment with the truck, leading to a jackknife situation if the trailer swings outward.
- Improper Braking: Sudden or uneven braking can cause the trailer to swing out to the side. This often happens when the brakes on the trailer and truck are not synchronized or applied incorrectly.
- Equipment Failure: Malfunctions in the truck’s braking system or other mechanical issues can contribute to jackknife accidents. Defective or faulty brake systems or improper maintenance can cause these failures.
- Driver Fatigue: Tired drivers may react slowly or improperly to changing road conditions, increasing the risk of a jackknife accident due to their delayed response times and impaired judgment.
- Speeding: Driving at high speeds reduces the driver’s control over the vehicle. Speed increases the likelihood of the trailer jackknifing when combined with sudden braking or sharp turns.
- Unbalanced Loads: Unevenly distributed cargo can shift during transit, destabilizing the trailer and causing it to swing out. This often occurs when cargo is improperly loaded or secured by the driver, the trucking company, or other entities like cargo loaders or shippers.
- Wet or Icy Roads: Slippery conditions reduce tire traction, making it easier for a trailer to skid and swing out of control, especially during sudden maneuvers or when the driver is speeding too fast for weather conditions.
Importance of Legal Representation for a Semi-Truck Jackknife Claim
Navigating a semi-truck jackknife claim requires skilled legal representation due to the complex nature of these accidents. From determining fault to securing maximum compensation, an experienced attorney can impact the outcome of your case.
Our qualified team at Aigen Injury Law can assist you with the following for your truck accident claim:
Determining Fault and Liability
Jackknife wrecks are rarely clear-cut with a single responsible party. Multiple vehicles and several potentially liable parties, such as the trucker, trucking company, cargo loaders, equipment manufacturers, maintenance providers, or mechanics, are often involved.
An experienced trucking accident attorney has the resources and knowledge to investigate and analyze the collision, determine all liable parties, and hold them accountable.
Understanding Trucking Industry Laws and Regulations
The commercial trucking industry is governed by federal safety regulations covering vehicle maintenance, cargo loading procedures, driver qualifications, and hours of service limits. Violations of these standards can contribute to jackknifing incidents and indicate liability.
Our attorneys know these laws and how to use violations to establish negligence. We gather data from electronic driving logs and cargo records to prove the at-fault party ignored them, causing the collision.
Accident Reconstruction Expertise
Determining the causes and sequence of events in a jackknife accident may require sophisticated accident reconstruction techniques. These involve analyzing physical evidence, collision modeling, and video and black box data analysis.
Our attorneys work closely with reconstruction experts when needed, who use cutting-edge technology and methods such as 3D laser scanning and computer simulations to recreate the accident. This allows us to help identify the factors that led to the jackknife and build a strong case against the responsible parties.
Securing Maximum Compensation
Whether through strategic negotiations or taking the case to trial, having a skilled legal advocate is typically the only way for jackknife truck crash victims to recover the full compensation they deserve.
Insurance companies routinely make lowball settlement offers that don’t come close to covering the lifelong needs of severely or permanently injured victims. Our truck accident lawyers level the playing field against corporate indifference, arguing for a recovery award that adequately pays for your current and future damages.
Get Fair Financial Support After a Jackknife Semi-Truck Accident
The catastrophic injuries and unimaginable devastation caused by jackknifing truck crashes are tragedies no one should have to endure. Yet trucking company negligence too often turns routine commutes into lifelong suffering.
If you or your loved ones have been victims of a preventable jackknife accident, contact our experienced attorneys at Aigen Injury Law. We are dedicated to securing the maximum compensation you deserve and ensuring all negligent parties are held accountable for their reckless actions. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.