If you or someone you love was involved in a jackknife truck accident, we understand how devastating that experience can be. These collisions are violent, unpredictable, and often life-altering. At Los Justicieros, we’ve been representing Californians since 2012 and won over $150 million in compensation following trucking accidents and other personal injuries.
Our law firm is led by Payton Kashani – recognized as one of California’s Top 10% Personal Injury Attorneys. Since 2012, Sunset West Legal Group has been committed to fighting for justice with a 98% case success rate and a no-win-no-fee promise.
You deserve a partner who takes your injuries seriously and fights for the compensation your deserve.
Common Causes of Truck Jackknife Accidents
Jackknifing happens when a trailer swings out from behind a truck, folding in like a pocketknife. It’s usually caused by sudden braking or poor handling – especially in large, articulated trucks.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were over 5,000 jackknife truck accidents in the U.S. in 2020. At least 1,000 of these crashes caused injuries, with 4,000 causing damages to property. There were also 169 fatalities recorded with a truck jackknife accident as the cause.
These crashes are rare but deadly due to the size and weight of commercial trucks.
The most common causes of jackknife crashes:
- Driver Fatigue: Truckers often drive long hours to meet deadlines. Truck driver fatigue slows reaction time and increases the chance of losing control.
- Speeding on Wet or Slippery Roads: A trailer is more likely to jackknife when sudden braking happens on poor road conditions.
- Improper Braking Techniques: Slamming on the brakes or using them unevenly between cab and trailer can cause a loss of alignment.
- Overloaded or Uneven Cargo: A poorly balanced load can shift, especially in turns or emergency maneuvers, leading to instability.
- Inadequate Driver Training: Commercial drivers must be trained to handle emergency situations. A lack of experience makes jackknifing more likely.
- Trucking Company Negligence: Some companies skip regular vehicle maintenance or push drivers beyond legal hours—both of which can directly lead to crashes.
How To Start a Lawsuit
If you’ve been injured in a jackknife truck accident, failing to act quickly could cost you the justice and compensation you’re entitled to. Trucking companies—and their insurers—are often backed by seasoned legal teams trained to minimize payouts. Without experienced legal representation on your side, you risk having your claim downplayed, denied, or settled for far less than it’s worth.
At Los Justicieros, we fight to even the odds.
We work on a no-win-no-fee basis – so there’s no upfront cost to you. You only pay if we win your case, and legal fees are recovered from the trucking company as part of your settlement or court award.
Here’s how you get started:
- Schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
- Talk through your experience so we can explain what to expect and determine the strength of your case.
- We’ll help gather evidence – from accident reports and medical bills to driver logs and company records.
- We build and present your case, seeking a fair settlement that covers your medical costs, lost income, and emotional trauma.
If the trucking company or the trucker’s insurance company refuse to settle, we take your case to court – and fight until you get the result you deserve.
