How Jackknife Accidents Occur on Highways

Trucks are a huge fixture on highways. Although many travel without incident, accidents can happen when least expected. When one involves a truck, it can have devastating consequences. Jackknife accidents, among the most deadly, have several causes.

What Is a Jackknife Accident?

A jackknife accident happens when a commercial truck comes to an angle upon impact. The trailer violently swings to one side while the cabin continues to face forward. When a semi-truck gets into this type of accident, it can affect multiple vehicles and victims. When a jackknife starts to happen, the driver loses control and all ability to right the truck or stop a collision from occurring.

What Causes a Jackknife Accident?

A variety of factors can lead to a jackknife accident. Sadly, no matter how they occur, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, they account for around 10% of all fatal collisions. Usually, jackknifes occur because of recklessness or negligence on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company or the cargo loader. In some cases, the culprit is something beyond the driver’s control, such as weather issues or a mechanical defect in the truck.

The most common causes of a jackknife accident on the highway include the following:

 • Speeding: When a trucker travels even slightly over the legal speed limit, it makes it more difficult to stop when necessary. Semi-trucks have special braking systems that makes it take longer.

 • Tailgating: A truck following too closely behind another vehicle is a common cause of jackknife accidents. If the car in front suddenly stops, the trucker can have trouble braking in time, and the cabin can strike it from behind while the trailer slides violently to the side, potentially hitting additional vehicles.

 • Aggressive driving: Any form of aggressive driving on the part of a trucker or the driver of another vehicle can cause a jackknife accident. Being angry or reckless behind the wheel makes the road a more dangerous place for everyone.

 • Improperly loaded cargo: Cargo must be properly loaded and secured on a truck, or it can tip over and spill out onto the road. This can cause the driver to lose control and get into a jackknife.

 • Intoxication: Truck drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs – even certain legal prescription medications – pose the risk of a jackknife accident. Their reflexes and reaction time are diminished, so they lack adequate control to prevent disaster.

 • Fatigue: Trucker fatigue is equally as dangerous as intoxication. Truck drivers often work long hours without breaks, which can cause a loss of control even if they don’t fall asleep behind the wheel.

 • Inclement weather: Rain, snow and ice causes jackknife accidents by creating slippery roads. A truck driver can lose control even when traveling slowly in these conditions.

 • Manufacturing defects: A major cause of jackknife accidents that isn’t a trucker’s fault is a manufacturing defect in a component in the truck. If a part breaks down or malfunctions, the driver may over-correct, which can cause a crash.

What Injuries Can Occur from Jackknife Accidents?

Jackknife accidents can leave victims reeling from severe injuries. Many of these are catastrophic and disabling, such as spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding and organ trauma and even death. Individuals who manage to survive jackknife accidents with minimal physical injuries may be left with post-traumatic stress disorder, which can negatively affect their daily lives.

These injuries often leave victims in the hospital long-term and require extensive, ongoing treatment and physical therapy. When a person is killed after a jackknife accident, it opens the door to a wrongful death lawsuit. In this situation, the surviving family members can speak with a truck accident lawyer about their options, and the victim’s personal representative can file a claim on their behalf.

How Drivers Can Avoid Potential Jackknife Accidents

Although drivers can’t predict or prevent the actions or inactions of truck drivers, they can do their part to avoid jackknife accidents. One of the easiest ways to do that is to obey all traffic rules and laws. Keep a safe distance behind a truck and maintain the legal speed limit. Never hit the brakes sharply; ease your foot off the gas slowly and tap on your brake pedal gradually to stop safely.

Drivers must ensure sobriety before getting behind the wheel. Likewise, make sure you’re well-rested before hitting the road. Know the expected weather conditions ahead of your trip so you can prepare accordingly, especially when trucks are on the road with you. Avoid distraction to minimize your risk of a jackknife or any other accident.

What to Do After a Jackknife Accident

There are steps to take after a jackknife accident. If you can, exit your vehicle and move to safety on the shoulder of the road. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries and immediately call 911 so police and emergency responders can show up at the scene. Once they arrive, get the officer’s name and badge number and ask where to obtain a copy of the accident report.

Exchange information with the trucker and other drivers involved in the crash, but avoid conversation. Get witnesses’ names, contact information and statements and document the scene by taking photos. You may also want to take notes while the details are fresh, as it can help if you plan to consult a truck accident lawyer and file a lawsuit.

Even if you feel fine, seek medical attention. It can rule out a serious injury and strengthen your legal claim for damages. Call an attorney to schedule a consultation and bring all your evidence to the appointment. An experienced truck accident lawyer like the attorneys at Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp will be able to tell you what legal options you may have.