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What are the Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents and Injuries?

July 27, 2025 | By Francis Injury: Car & Truck Accident Lawyers
What are the Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents and Injuries?

Jackknife accidents are among the most dangerous and complex types of crashes involving commercial trucks in Texas. These incidents often lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities, especially when smaller passenger vehicles are caught in the trailer’s path. In this blog, we’ll break down exactly what causes jackknife truck accidents, what injuries result, and what your legal options are if you’ve been hurt in one of these terrifying collisions.

What are the Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents and Injuries?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a jackknife truck accident anywhere in Texas, don’t wait. Contact our truck accident lawyers today at 817-329-9001 for a free consultation.

What is a Jackknife Truck Accident?

A jackknife accident occurs when a large truck’s trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab—resembling the folding motion of a pocketknife. This usually happens when the truck skids, and the driver loses control of the trailer. Once a truck jackknifes, it can slide across multiple lanes of traffic, sweeping up nearby vehicles in its path.

Because of the truck's size, weight, and momentum, these crashes often involve multiple vehicles and result in devastating consequences. Jackknife accidents are especially common on Texas highways like I-35, I-20, and U.S. Route 287, where speed limits are high and commercial traffic is dense.

Top Causes of Jackknife Accidents in Texas

Understanding what leads to these crashes is the first step to prevention—and to holding the right parties accountable when things go wrong. Below are the most common causes:

  • Sudden Braking: When a truck driver brakes abruptly—especially on wet or icy roads—the trailer can swing out of alignment with the cab, causing a jackknife.
  • Speeding: Excessive speed makes it harder to maintain control, particularly when going downhill or around curves.
  • Improperly Loaded Cargo: Uneven or unsecured loads can destabilize the trailer, increasing the chance of a jackknife during turns or emergency maneuvers.
  • Driver Fatigue: Fatigued truckers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, often misjudging stopping distances or road conditions.
  • Equipment Failure: Malfunctioning brakes, worn tires, or anti-lock brake system (ABS) issues can prevent a driver from stopping properly and lead to loss of control.
  • Slippery Roads: Rain, ice, or oil slicks can reduce traction, causing the wheels to lock up and the trailer to swing out of control.
  • Driver Inexperience: New or improperly trained drivers may not know how to handle emergency stops or steep inclines, increasing accident risk.

Injuries Commonly Seen in Jackknife Accidents

Given the violent nature of jackknife crashes, injuries are often severe or even fatal. Victims may suffer:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord damage and paralysis
  • Broken bones
  • Burns (especially in fuel-related fires)
  • Internal organ damage
  • Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

If you’ve been injured, it’s critical to seek medical attention immediately—and to document all treatment for your claim.

Jackknifed Semi truck

Who is Liable in a Jackknife Truck Accident?

Liability in a jackknife crash can be complex. One or more of the following may be responsible:

  • The Truck Driver: If they were speeding, distracted, or fatigued.
  • The Trucking Company: If they failed to maintain the vehicle or pressured the driver into unsafe practices.
  • Cargo Loaders: If the load was improperly balanced or secured.
  • Maintenance Providers: If faulty repairs contributed to the crash.
  • Truck/Brake Manufacturers: In defective parts cases.

At Francis Injury, we conduct a full investigation into every crash to identify all liable parties and maximize your compensation.

What to Do After a Jackknife Truck Accident

  • Call 911 and report the crash
  • Seek immediate medical attention
  • Document the scene if you can (photos, witness info)
  • Avoid discussing fault with the truck driver or insurer
  • Contact an experienced Texas personal injury lawyer

Quick action is essential, especially since crucial evidence (like truck black box data) can be lost or destroyed without legal intervention.

Contact a Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Jackknife truck crashes can destroy lives in seconds. Let us help you recover. At Francis Injury, we bring over 30 years of legal experience fighting for accident victims across Texas. We know the trucking industry inside and out—and we’re not afraid to take on the big insurance companies.

Call 817-329-9001 today or contact us online for your free case evaluation. We only get paid if we win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Call 911, seek medical care, take photos if safe, and contact a lawyer right away.
Yes. If the company is responsible for unsafe practices, bad maintenance, or hiring unqualified drivers, they may be held liable.
You may be eligible to recover costs for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, future care, and other damages related to the accident.
Under Texas law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
No. We work on a contingency basis — meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.

Need help now? Call 817-329-9001 or click here to contact our truck accident lawyers today.

Injured in a Jackknife Truck Accident?

Our award-winning Texas truck accident lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. We’ve recovered millions for crash victims just like you — and you pay nothing unless we win.

Get Your Free Consultation

Prefer to call? Reach us now at 817-329-9001