A jackknife happens when a tractor and its trailer fold toward each other until they form a sharp “V.” In many cases, the trailer swings forward quickly and can overtake the cab. Once that fold begins, the driver often loses control, and the rig can sweep across lanes, strike nearby vehicles, or hit barriers.
These truck accidents unfold in seconds and can cause severe injuries and multi-lane shutdowns on Florida highways. Keep reading to learn more about these types of crashes.
How Jackknife Accidents Happen
Most jackknife crashes start with a loss of traction or uneven braking:
- Brake problems or abrupt stops. A sudden stop, brake failure, or uneven brake force can lock wheels.
- Trailer swing. Locked wheels let the trailer pivot sideways, pulling the cab into a fold.
- Road and load factors. Rain, standing water, loose gravel, worn tires, downhill grades, and overloaded or imbalanced cargo raise the risk.
When a trailer skids, weight shifts to the fifth-wheel pivot. As the angle tightens, steering inputs have little effect, and momentum—especially with a full load—makes recovery difficult. Smooth braking, proper maintenance, and balanced cargo are key to prevention.
Dangers Jackknife Crashes Create for Other Drivers
A jackknifed semi can block multiple lanes and create a sudden wall across the roadway. Secondary wrecks are common as drivers brake or swerve to avoid the trailer. Even at lower speeds, collisions with a tractor-trailer can cause serious injuries. Debris may scatter across the road, posing a threat to vehicles approaching from behind.
Emergency access is also harder. Responders may need to cut or remove parts of a damaged trailer before reaching injured motorists. The result is longer closures, extensive traffic backups, and increased risk for everyone stuck in the queue.
Proving Fault After a Jackknife
Liability often hinges on the speed and thoroughness of evidence collection.
Useful proof can include:
- Police reports with scene measurements, diagrams, and weather or roadway notes
- Electronic data from the truck (ECM/ELD) showing speed, hard braking, and hours-of-service before the crash
- Maintenance and loading records that reveal brake problems, worn components, or cargo imbalance
- Dashcam, traffic, or surveillance video, and eyewitness statements describing the trailer swing, traffic flow, and driver actions
- Physical evidence, such as skid marks, gouge marks, and debris fields
Multiple parties may share responsibility, including the driver, the motor carrier, a maintenance contractor, a cargo loader, or even a parts manufacturer. Preserving documents and physical evidence early helps identify everyone who may be at fault.
Compensation After a Jackknife Truck Collision
A jackknife can cause physical, emotional, and financial losses.
Depending on the facts and Florida law, recoverable damages may include:
- Medical care (ER visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and future treatment)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage and other out-of-pocket costs related to the crash
Every case is unique. Strong documentation, such as medical records, wage statements, and testimony from treating healthcare providers, helps connect your losses to the collision and supports a full and fair claim.
Why Involving a Lawyer Early Helps
Truck cases move quickly, and vital data can be overwritten.
An attorney can:
- Send preservation letters for ECM/ELD data, dashcam footage, and maintenance or load documents.
- Retain qualified experts in accident reconstruction, braking systems, and cargo securement.
- Handle all communications with insurers and evaluate settlement offers.
- Prepare a litigation strategy if negotiations stall.
Early help enhances your ability to protect key evidence and build a strong case, allowing you to focus on healing.
Contact the Truck Accident Lawyers at Shaked Law Firm, P.A. for a Free Consultation
If you were hurt in a jackknife crash anywhere in Florida, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Shaked Law Firm, P.A. can explain your options, protect critical evidence, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact a Florida 18-wheeler accident attorney at Shaked Law Firm, P.A.
Shaked Law Firm, P.A.
20900 NE 30th Ave STE 705, Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 937-0191
*Relocated across the street from Aventura Hospital.
Available 24/7
Sagi Shaked is the founding attorney of Shaked Law Firm, P.A., a Florida-based practice focused on serious truck accident cases. As a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Sagi is nationally recognized for his legal advocacy, having recovered multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for injured victims and their families. He is known for his relentless pursuit of justice on behalf of those harmed by negligence. Click here to view some of the notable case results Sagi has achieved for his clients.
Location: Aventura, Florida, serving statewide.
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