What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?

Jackknife accidents are no joke. A jackknife truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for these unique and serious crashes.

Burg Simpson has decades of experience representing the victims of commercial truck accidents in and around Denver, Colorado. We understand the unique mechanics when a semi-truck jackknifes, as well as the devastating consequences for drivers in the vicinity.

To speak with an experienced jackknife truck accident lawyer, call Burg Simpson at 303-792-5595 today. Your initial case evaluation is FREE and 100% confidential. Our attorneys serve clients in Denver and communities throughout Colorado.

What Does Jackknife Mean in an Accident?

In a jackknife truck accident, the truck and trailer fold at an acute angle into a V shape (similar to a pocket knife with a foldable blade). When this happens, the trailer may swing out across multiple lanes of traffic. The truck driver may lose control of the entire rig, which may skid, roll over, and/or collide with multiple vehicles.

Jackknifing tractor-trailers regularly cause highway closures in Colorado. They can also lead to serious injuries and, in the most tragic situations, even fatalities.

If negligence was a factor in the crash, you and your family may be entitled to significant compensation. A jackknife truck accident lawyer can help you explore your rights and legal options.

What Are the Two Types of Jackknifing?

A tractor-trailer may jackknife in one of two ways. The first is a trailer jackknife, which occurs when the brakes on the trailer lock up while the cab continues to move forward. In the second type of jackknife truck accident (known as a tractor jackknife), the brakes on the cab become locked but the trailer keeps moving.

In both cases, the trailer pivots sharply at the fifth wheel coupling and swings out to the side. This often results in multi-vehicle collisions. Lawyers well-versed in the dynamics of these accidents can analyze the crash and consult expert witnesses to determine who is at fault.

How Common Are Jackknife Accidents?

According to the most recent data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), jackknifing was involved in 3.5% of all fatal truck accidents. It also occurred in approximately 1% of all truck accidents resulting in injury.

While jackknife accidents are fairly uncommon, FMCSA data shows that they are often catastrophic. This is evidenced by the disproportionately high number of jackknife accidents resulting in injury and especially by the number of fatal collisions attributable to jackknifing trucks.

What Causes Jackknifing?

Most jackknife accidents are preventable. Skilled, well-trained truck drivers should be able to maintain control through turns, brake properly, and adapt to changes in road conditions. A knowledgeable jackknife accident lawyer can investigate whether truck driver negligence caused the crash and identify any other parties that may share liability.

Some of the most common causes of jackknife truck accidents include:

• Improper braking: Sudden, hard, or poorly timed braking (especially during turns) can cause the trailer to swing out of alignment with the cab, leading to a jackknife accident.
• Excess speed: Driving too fast for conditions reduces control and increases the likelihood of jackknifing, especially on steep grades or sharp curves.
• Fatigued, impaired, or distracted driving: Truck drivers who are distracted, fatigued, or impaired by alcohol or drugs may jackknife when they slam on the brakes to avoid an accident.
• Sudden maneuvers: Swerving, overcorrecting, and taking curves too fast can destabilize the trailer.
• Adverse weather conditions: Weather conditions in Colorado can be brutal, especially in the High Country. Jackknifing is common when truck drivers fail to adjust to bad weather and dangerous roads.
• Shifting or unbalanced cargo: Overloading or improperly loaded cargo can alter the trailer’s center of gravity and make the rig unstable, increasing the risk of a jackknife accident.
• Inexperience and lack of training: Unqualified truck drivers may not be able to regain control if the trailer sways or make adjustments for steep grades and bad roads.
• Mechanical failure: Worn brakes and tires can have catastrophic consequences, including a jackknife accident. Brakes and tires may fail due to wear and tear or defects that make them unsafe. 
• Negligent maintenance: The likelihood of an accident rises sharply if the truck and trailer are not maintained properly.

Prompt investigation is vital for proving what led to a jackknife accident. A capable truck accident lawyer can collect evidence and prepare a strong claim on your behalf.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Jackknife Accident?

The actions of the truck driver need to be examined first when a semi jackknifes. Driver error and poor decision-making commonly contribute to these crashes. However, as with many truck accident claims, liability for damages may not rest solely with the driver.

In-depth investigation may reveal negligence on the part of other defendants, including:

• Trucking companies: Freight carriers are responsible for training drivers and ensuring that they abide by the hours of service regulations, among other rules. They must also maintain trucks in their fleet. Negligence in any of these duties may result in an accident for which the trucking company may be held liable.
• Vehicle and parts manufacturers: The manufacturer of a truck or its components may face liability for accidents arising due to defects. For example, if a truck jackknifes due to brake failure and the brakes are found to be defective, a claim may be brought against the manufacturer of the brake system.
• Cargo loaders: Failure to load cargo properly or follow cargo securement rules can make the trailer unstable and place stress on the brakes and tires, potentially causing the truck to jackknife. The company responsible for improperly loaded or unsecured cargo may be named in an accident lawsuit.
• Maintenance companies: Third-party maintenance companies may be held liable for jackknife accidents if they fail to perform necessary maintenance or repairs and a crash ensues because the truck was not in safe operating condition.

Under Colorado law, defendants are only liable for the damages attributable to their share of fault (see Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-111.5). A jackknife truck accident lawyer can identify all defendants and accurately assess the percentage of blame.

What to Do After a Truck Jackknife Accident

Accidents with 18-wheelers tend to be serious. Commercial trucks can weigh up to 25 times more than your vehicle, and they are obviously much larger. The unique mechanics in jackknife accidents make them especially dangerous, especially when you consider the potential for multiple lanes of traffic to be involved.

Safety should be your top priority after being hit by a jackknifing semi-truck. You can also take steps at the scene to secure your legal rights, but only if it is safe to do so. Our jackknife truck accident lawyers recommend you take the following steps:

1. Check yourself and others for injuries.
2. Move your vehicle to safety, if possible. Jackknife accidents have a high risk of secondary collisions.
3. Dial 911. Call for medical assistance if you have been hurt and report the accident to the police.
4. Get medical care. Paramedics may be able to treat you at the scene, or you may need to be taken to the hospital.
5. Exchange contact and insurance information with anyone involved.
6. Take photos of the damaged vehicles, your injuries, and conditions at the scene.
7. Speak to witnesses, ask them what they saw, and get their contact information.
8. Cooperate with the police as they investigate the accident. Any statements you provide need to be accurate, but do not say anything to suggest you were at fault.
9. Notify your auto insurance company of the accident.
10. Contact a Denver trucking accident lawyer as soon as possible.

If a representative from the trucking company or an insurer for one of the defendants tries to contact you, we recommend not speaking with them until you consult an attorney. Speaking to these parties on your own can have major repercussions for your case and make it difficult to recover the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Burg Simpson has decades of experience advocating for the victims of semi-truck accidents. We understand how complex these cases can be, as well as the devastating toll catastrophic injuries or the death of a loved one can have. Our attorneys have negotiated favorable settlements and obtained trial awards totaling more than $2 billion on behalf of our clients.

Jackknife crashes are often the result of negligence on the part of truck drivers and other defendants. Call 303-792-5595 today to learn how our Denver truck accident lawyers can help you pursue justice. Your initial consultation is FREE, and we only get paid if your claim is successful.