Understanding Truck Jackknifing and How to Prevent It

March 7, 2024 / Truck Accidents

Truck jackknifing is a term that sends shivers down the spine of anyone familiar with the hazards of the road. This dangerous phenomenon occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side, resembling the angle of a folding knife. Understanding the causes and implementing preventive measures is crucial for truck drivers, fleet operators, and every road user.

Whether you’re a trucking company, driver, or an affected party, legal knowledge and strategic counsel play pivotal roles in minimizing the legal fallout of these hazardous occurrences.

What Is Truck Jackknifing?

Jackknifing occurs when a large truck’s trailer pushes the towing vehicle either to one side or around until it faces backward. In either case, this type of accident creates a shape that resembles a jackknife or pocketknife.

Trucks can jackknife for several reasons, including the following:

• Improper braking
• Equipment failure
• Poor weather conditions (ice, rain, etc.)
• Driving at unsafe speeds
• Taking turns too quickly
• Improper or inadequate truck maintenance
• Fatigued driving.

How to Prevent Truck Jackknifing

It’s important to note that all truck drivers, both new and experienced, can find themselves in a jackknife accident (or dealing with any other type of truck accident case, for that matter). No one is so skilled that they’re entirely immune, but they can take steps to reduce their chances of being involved in these incidents.

Here are some specific steps drivers should take to prevent truck jackknifing:

Avoid Hard Braking

Jackknifing often occurs as a result of hard braking. Truck drivers must slow down gradually to avoid jackknifing and should allow plenty of distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them. They should be especially cautious during wet or icy weather.

Be Wary of Light Loads

The more weight a driver has on their wheels, the more braking traction they have. The wheels on an empty or lightly loaded trailer are more likely to lock up and skid. When pulling an empty or light trailer, drivers should be particularly careful when braking to prevent jackknifing accidents.

Brake at the Correct Time

When braking, the truck and trailer should be in a straight line. Drivers should never brake while turning or swerving — the same is true when they’re going around curves. To protect themselves and other drivers, they should brake first and then turn or swerve.

Press, Don’t Stamp

It can be tempting to stamp on the brakes, especially in an emergency situation — such as a child running out into the road. However, it’s important to avoid stamping and instead press on the brake. Remember, a hard brake is more likely to cause a jackknifing situation.

Maintain Vehicles

Poorly maintained vehicles are more likely to have trouble braking and be involved in jackknife accidents. Issues like uneven brakes, worn-out tires, or faulty suspension components can all increase a driver’s risk of losing control.

What to Do if You Get in a Truck Jackknifing Accident

Being involved in a truck jackknifing accident can be scary and may cause serious injuries. If you get in a truck jackknifing accident, you should take the following steps:

Call Emergency Services

Call 911 and report the accident right away. While on the phone, inform the operator of your location, any injuries you or your passengers have sustained, and immediate dangers like blocked traffic.

Seek Medical Care

If you or anyone in your vehicle has been injured, seek medical care immediately. Even if you don’t have any seemingly serious injuries, it’s still a good idea to get checked out by a physician, as some injuries do not manifest right away.

Collect Essential Information

Collect essential information from the truck driver. This includes their name, contact details, and insurance information. It’s also helpful to collect information from witnesses and take photos of the accident, including the position of the vehicles and visible damage caused to your car.

Don’t Admit Fault

Be careful when speaking to the driver and only exchange essential details. Avoid admitting fault or making statements at the accident scene. Focus on communicating with the authorities only until you have a lawyer on your side.

Contact a Truck Jackknife Lawyer

Speaking of lawyers, that’s the next step in this process. Hire a truck jackknife lawyer who can represent you and guide you through your case to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

What to Look for in a Truck Jackknife Accident Lawyer

When hiring a truck jackknife accident lawyer, there are certain factors you should keep in mind to ensure you choose a skilled professional. Here are some of the most important ones to consider:

Credentials

Start by looking for a lawyer with an active license. You can use Indiana’s Roll of Attorneys to search for lawyers by name or attorney number and ensure their license is up to date.

Experience

You should also choose an experienced truck jackknife lawyer. Find someone who has previously worked on jackknife accident cases, understands what they entail, and can guide you through the process.

Previous Successes

Ideally, the lawyer you hire will also have won previous jackknife accident cases. Ask about their previous successes and the kind of sums they have won for their clients.

Testimonials

In addition to consulting different lawyers, it’s also a good idea to read testimonials from past clients. Find out what those who have worked with this lawyer previously have to say about their experience and whether or not they would hire the lawyer again.

Price

Ask about the lawyer’s fees and fee structure, too. Don’t make your decision solely based on price, though. Keep all the other factors listed above in mind, and make sure you’re not sacrificing experience or skills to pay a little less.

How Stephenson Rife Can Help You After a Truck Jackknifing Accident

If you’ve been involved in a truck jackknifing accident, you deserve to be represented by a qualified and competent professional. Stephenson Rife’s accident lawyers have won large settlements for injured clients and are here to help.

Contact us through our website or call (317) 680-2350 today to schedule a consultation.

Attorney Mike Stephenson

Attorney Mike Stephenson has 40 years of experience and is a trusted advisor to many individuals and companies. His current practice is dominated by civil litigation in state and federal courts. He focuses much of his time on handling catastrophic injuries caused by all types of accidents, including motor vehicle, trucking, workplace injuries, product liability, just to name a few. Mike is a proven advocate and trial attorney. He has served as lead trial counsel in more than 100 civil jury trials, and has handled litigation in 18 states. [ Attorney Bio ]