Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | July 16, 2025 | Truck Accidents
Anytime a commercial truck accident occurs, the results can be catastrophic. Jackknifes can be particularly dangerous for everyone involved. These types of crashes can also shut down the road for hours and cause huge traffic jams. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Jackknifing occurs when a semi truck’s trailer swings outward and forms an angle with the cab. The shape is similar to that of a folding knife. These crashes can happen when the driver loses control of their rig and the trailer skids sideways. Improperly turning or turning too tightly can also lead to a jackknife.
Jackknife accidents are among the most dangerous types of truck collisions due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. They can lead to chain-reaction crashes, as drivers behind the jackknifed truck have to slam on their brakes. What starts with one vehicle can quickly turn into a huge incident involving a dozen or more cars.
How Common Are Jackknife Truck Accidents in Florida?
Jackknifing is not tracked as a separate crash statistic. However, commercial truck accidents are tracked. In 2024, there were 10,178 crashes involving semi-trucks in Florida. While jackknifes likely represent a small percentage of these accidents, they are some of the most dangerous and disruptive.
Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
A jackknife accident is usually linked to several contributing factors. These include:
- Speeding on curves or wet roads
- Sudden braking or downshifting
- Improper loading of cargo
- Inadequate driver training
- Worn or faulty brakes and tires
Driver negligence can also play a role. When that happens, the driver may be held liable for their actions or carelessness. They aren’t the only ones who could be held liable, either. The company that hired them may face liability, especially if they negligently hired someone with a spotty driving record or history of at-fault crashes.
Some other parties that may have played a role are:
- The loading team
- Maintenance personnel
- Equipment manufacturers
Regardless of who causes a jackknife accident or how many at-fault parties are involved, it’s vital for crash victims to hold them accountable. Taking swift legal action can drive meaningful changes that may protect future victims.
Where and When Jackknife Accidents Happen in Fort Lauderdale
In Fort Lauderdale, jackknife accidents can occur anywhere. However, they are more likely to occur in places with lots of congestion and frequent commercial truck traffic. A few examples are I-95, I-595, and near commercial loading zones.
Changes in traffic volume can also impact when these types of crashes occur. For instance, a semi truck driver may have to slam on the brakes when trying to change lanes during rush hour.
Another factor to consider is the weather. Florida is known for its unpredictable weather, especially during the summer and in the midst of hurricane season. Heavy rains can appear seemingly out of nowhere and make it easier for a trailer to swing out of alignment.
With that in mind, it’s up to truck drivers and their employers to keep vehicles in top operating condition. They need to ensure that all brakes, lights, and tires are in good shape. Otherwise, a driver may be at an increased risk of losing control which could cause an accident.
Injuries Caused by Jackknife Accidents
The weight and size of commercial vehicle trailers are a huge concern. All of that momentum can lead to catastrophic injuries. While the truck driver can get hurt, occupants of smaller cars in their path are at the greatest risk.
Common injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Crush injuries and internal bleeding
- Burns or lacerations
Traumatic brain injuries are a particularly detrimental consequence of truck crashes. Victims of TBIs can face lifelong symptoms, including confusion, memory loss, and long-term mood or personality changes.
Truck crashes can also lead to fatal injuries due to the mismatch in size between commercial trucks and other vehicles. In 2024, 292 people died in Florida as a result of collisions involving commercial trucks. Another 5,307 were injured.
Liability in a Jackknife Truck Accident
So, who is ultimately responsible when a semi truck trailer swings around and jackknifes? In most cases, the truck driver shares the majority of the blame. The other parties mentioned above, such as the driver’s employer, may also play a role. In some cases, other drivers could be held liable if they caused the accident or forced the truck driver to take sudden evasive action.
Getting to the bottom of why a jackknife occurred and who is at fault can be incredibly challenging. With that in mind, victims of jackknife crashes need to act fast to protect their rights and hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
By doing so, they can help create safer roads throughout Florida.
Steps To Take After a Jackknife Crash in Fort Lauderdale
If you or a loved one is involved in a jackknife truck crash, you’ll need to:
- Call 911
- Give the dispatcher as much detail as possible
- Get medical treatment
- Take photos of the scene
- Talk to witnesses and gather contact information
- Request a copy of the police report
- Talk to an attorney
Your insurance company or that of the truck driver will likely reach out to you. Don’t rush to accept the first settlement offer you receive. Make sure that you talk to an experienced legal professional before accepting any money from either insurance company.
Insurance companies aren’t on your side. They want to settle the case as cheaply as possible, even if that means you receive unfair compensation.
Preventing Jackknife Crashes on Florida Roads
Jackknife accidents can be life-changing for everyone involved. The high-impact crashes involve unique hazards and can leave victims with devastating injuries. The good news is that the Sunshine State’s roads can be made safer. The first step involves promoting awareness about these dangerous types of crashes.
Contact the Truck Accident Law Firm of Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Today For HelP
For more information, please contact an experienced truck accident lawyer at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We proudly serve Fort Lauderdale, Clermont, and its surrounding areas:
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
633 S Andrews Ave Ste 401, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 361-3997
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
1655 E Hwy 50 ste 316, Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 77-33866