Jackknife crashes are among the most dangerous incidents involving large commercial trucks. These truck crashes lead to devastating injuries and significant property damage, especially on highways where vehicles travel at high speeds. Understanding what leads to these incidents and how liability is determined is critical for assessing legal options after these collisions.

What Is a Jackknife Crash?

A jackknife crash is when a large truck’s trailer swings out from behind the cab, forming an angle similar to a folding pocketknife. This movement can block multiple lanes of traffic and cause multi-vehicle collisions. These incidents are more common with tractor-trailers due to their structure.  

What Are the Main Causes of Jackknife Crashes?

These conditions can lead to a jackknife crash:

• Sudden Braking: When the cab slows down faster than the trailer, the trailer may skid and swing out.
• Driver Error: Taking turns too sharply, speeding, or making abrupt maneuvers can increase the risk of a jackknife crash.
• Mechanical Failure: Brake issues or improper load distribution can trigger instability and cause the trailer to swing out.
• Driver Fatigue or Distraction: Drowsiness, lack of attention, or inexperience with large trucks may contribute to poor decision-making in critical moments.
• Inadequate Maintenance: Worn brakes or tires reduce a vehicle’s ability to respond properly to changing road or traffic conditions.

How Is Fault Determined in a Jackknife Crash?

Determining fault in a jackknife crash depends on the circumstances leading up to the incident. If the truck driver made an error, such as speeding, distracted driving, or braking too aggressively, liability may rest with the driver or their employer. However, responsibility is not always straightforward.

In some cases, the company that owns the truck may share responsibility, especially if it failed to maintain the vehicle or pushed the driver to exceed safe driving hours. If a defective brake system contributed to the crash, the manufacturer or a maintenance contractor could be held accountable. Fault may also be shared with another motorist if their unsafe actions caused the truck driver to react in a way that led to the crash.

Investigators analyze potential evidence, such as dash cam footage, data from electronic logging devices, driver logs, and maintenance records, to establish liability. Skid marks and damage patterns may also be reviewed to reconstruct how the event unfolded; police reports and eyewitness statements provide additional context for determining liability.

What Types of Injuries Are Common in Jackknife Crashes?

These crashes often result in serious injuries due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. Drivers and passengers in nearby vehicles may suffer head trauma, broken bones, spinal injuries, or internal damage. In some cases, fire or hazardous materials may be involved, causing further complications like burn injuries. Recovery often involves extended hospital stays, rehabilitation, and long-term medical care.

How Can an Albuquerque Truck Crash Lawyer Help Me After a Jackknife Crash?

Truck crash attorneys review the facts, collect evidence, and assess whether negligence contributed to the crash. They may consult with crash reconstruction professionals, evaluate maintenance logs, and review the company’s safety practices. These steps determine which parties may be held accountable and how a claim should be pursued.

Insurance companies involved in truck crashes often conduct their own investigations and may attempt to limit their liability. Our knowledgeable legal team can respond to these efforts with documentation, legal arguments, and, if necessary, court filings. We can represent your interests at a trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached.

Ask an Experienced Albuquerque Truck Crash Lawyer at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC About Your Jackknife Crash

If you or a loved one was injured in a jackknife crash, now is the time to seek legal representation. A skilled Albuquerque truck crash lawyer at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC is prepared to assess the facts, examine responsibility, and offer experienced legal support. For a free consultation, call 505-900-3559 or complete our online form. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we serve clients in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.