When a massive truck suddenly folds in half like a pocket knife across multiple freeway lanes, the result is often catastrophic. Jackknife truck accidents are among the most dangerous crashes on California roads, causing severe injuries and blocking traffic for hours.

If you’ve been injured in a jackknife truck accident, California law allows you to seek compensation even if you were partially at fault. Multiple parties may be liable, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loader, or maintenance provider.

Understanding Jackknife Truck Accidents

A jackknife crash happens when the truck’s trailer pivots sideways, creating an acute angle with its cab unit. The name comes from resembling the shape of a folding pocket knife.

Jackknifing typically happens when the truck’s wheels lose traction and the trailer continues moving forward while the cab slows down or stops. The result? A 40-ton obstacle spanning multiple lanes that can trap smaller vehicles underneath or cause massive pile-ups.

Jackknife Accident Statistics: The California Reality

California faces serious challenges with truck safety. In 2023 alone, California truck accidents resulted in 392 deaths, reports the National Safety Council. Twenty-six of these fatalities were occupants of large trucks, but a vast majority were occupants of other vehicles or pedestrians.

On a national level, jackknifing incidents constitute a considerable percentage of deadly truck collisions. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 4.4% of single-trailer semis and 7.1% of multi-trailer semis experienced jackknifing in fatal crashes in 2023. In total, the NHTSA recorded 3,029 tractor-trailers involved in jackknife accidents that year.

Leading Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents

Understanding what causes these crashes helps identify who may be liable for your injuries.

Improper Braking

Hard or sudden braking is the top cause of jackknifing. When a truck driver slams the brakes, the trailer can swing out to the side. This often happens when:

• Following too closely behind other vehicles
• Braking hard on wet or icy roads
• Suffering equipment failures with the braking system
• Having improperly adjusted brakes.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, truckers committed more than 63,500 speeding violations in 2022, exceeding the speed limit by 6 to 10 miles per hour. Large trucks need much more distance to stop safely than passenger cars. When drivers exceed safe speeds, they lose control during emergency maneuvers.

Adverse Weather Conditions

Precipitation, ice, snow, and limited visibility decrease grip between truck tires and pavement. Smart truck drivers slow down and increase following distance during storms. Sadly, some drivers fail to make these critical adjustments.

Improper Cargo Loading

Unbalanced or improperly secured cargo can shift during transport. This weight distribution change makes trucks harder to control, especially during turns or emergency braking.

Driver Fatigue

Federal regulations limit how long truck drivers can work, but violations still occur. Tired drivers have slower reaction times and make poor decisions that can lead to jackknifing.

Mechanical Failures

Worn tires, brake problems, suspension issues, or faulty coupling between cab and trailer can all contribute to loss of control.

Determining Liability in Jackknife Truck Accidents

Multiple parties may share responsibility for your injuries:

Truck Driver

Drivers can be liable for:

• Speeding or reckless driving
• Driving while fatigued or distracted
• Improper braking techniques
• Failing to adjust for weather conditions
• Violating federal hours-of-service regulations.

Trucking Company

Companies face liability for:

• Inadequate driver training
• Pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Hiring unqualified drivers
• Violating safety regulations.

Cargo Loading Company

If improper loading contributed to the jackknife, the company responsible for securing the cargo may be liable.

Maintenance Provider

Third-party maintenance companies can be held responsible if mechanical failures due to poor servicing caused the accident.

Vehicle Manufacturer

In rare cases, design defects or manufacturing problems with the truck or trailer may contribute to jackknifing.

Third-Party Motorists

Occasionally, another motorist’s behavior compels a trucker to apply emergency brakes, resulting in jackknifing. Such drivers may bear partial responsibility.

California Truck Accident Liability Laws

California uses pure comparative negligence when determining fault in truck accidents. California Civil Code 1714 establishes: “Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts, but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary care, brought the injury upon himself or herself.”

This law provides that you may obtain compensation despite bearing partial responsibility for the crash. California applies pure comparative negligence principles in commercial truck accident cases. Even when you share some fault for the incident, you remain eligible for damages. Your award will be decreased by your fault percentage.

For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you’re deemed 20% responsible, you would receive $80,000.

Injuries Sustained in Jackknife Crashes

The massive size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles typically results in devastating injuries:

Typical injuries involve:

• Head trauma and brain damage
• Spine injuries and paralysis
• Bone fractures and breaks
• Damage to internal organs
• Fire-related burns or fuel exposure
• Fatal injuries.

Such trauma typically demands comprehensive medical care, long-term rehabilitation, and frequently causes permanent impairment.

Compensation Available for California Victims

Injured victims can seek compensation for:

Economic Damages

• Medical bills and future care costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation expenses.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life
• Disability and disfigurement.

California does not have a cap on damages in personal injury or car accident cases.

Steps to Take Following a Jackknife Truck Crash

Safeguarding your wellbeing and legal interests demands prompt action:

1. Seek medical care. Get examined by medical professionals even if you feel uninjured. Some injuries have delayed onset of symptoms.
2. Contact law enforcement. Ensure police arrive at the scene and create an official incident report.
3. Record the scene. Photograph all vehicles, roadway conditions, and visible injuries when safely possible.
4. Collect contact details. Obtain insurance information and contact data from every driver present.
5. Talk to witnesses. Get their statements and contact information.
6. Avoid admitting fault. Don’t say “I’m sorry” or discuss who caused the accident.
7. Contact an attorney. Truck accident cases are complex and require experienced legal help.

Filing Deadlines for Your Legal Claim

California statutes provide a two-year window from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if your claim is against a government entity (such as if a city-owned truck caused your accident), you only have six months from the accident date to file a personal injury case, according to Government Code section 911.2.

Don’t wait to seek legal help. Evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses forget important details.

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help

Jackknife truck accident cases involve multiple parties, complex regulations, and powerful insurance companies. An experienced attorney can:

• Investigate the crash thoroughly
• Identify all liable parties
• Gather crucial evidence like driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data
• Handle negotiations with insurance companies
• Fight for maximum compensation
• Take your case to trial if needed.

The trucking industry has teams of lawyers and investigators working to minimize their liability. A trucking company’s insurance adjusters may pressure you into accepting a much lower amount than you deserve. You need equally strong representation on your side.

Contact San Diego’s Top-Rated Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyers

When you’re facing serious injuries and mounting medical bills after a jackknife truck accident, you need aggressive legal representation with a proven track record of success.

Attorney Robert Hamparyan and his team at Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers have recovered over $100 million for injured clients. Robert is a Trial Lawyer of the Year award winner who isn’t afraid to take cases to court when insurance companies won’t offer fair settlements.

Our firm maintains a 98% case success rate and has earned recognition as San Diego County Top Attorneys from 2009-2017. Robert was also named a Super Lawyer for those same years and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL).

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our attorneys will come to you if you’re unable to travel to our office.

Call (619) 550-1355 now for your free consultation. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Let our experienced team fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.