Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer in Modesto

Focused Investigation After a Trailer-Swing Collision

A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings outward at an angle to the cab as the vehicle loses control. The trailer can sweep across lanes, strike several vehicles, or block the roadway. We investigate why the trailer swung, who contributed to the crash, and whether an injured person or surviving family has grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Sudden braking, excessive speed, lost traction, improper cargo loading, driver error, and brake or tire problems may contribute to a jackknife semi-truck crash. Determining the cause requires more than reviewing where the vehicles came to rest. An investigation may need to account for tractor-trailer dynamics, road conditions, maintenance, cargo distribution, and the driver’s actions before the trailer began to swing.

Call (415) 275-3008 to discuss your collision with our team and learn how we can investigate what happened.

Who May Be Liable for a Modesto Jackknife Crash?

Responsibility may extend beyond the truck driver. Depending on the evidence, liable parties could include the trucking company, cargo loader, maintenance provider, or manufacturer of a defective component. We examine the driver’s conduct alongside company practices, equipment condition, cargo loading and securement, and other factors that may have contributed to the loss of control.

Evidence relevant to commercial trucking liability may include:

• Crash evidence: Scene photographs, video footage, witness accounts, vehicle damage, and roadway markings.
• Vehicle information: Electronic control module data, meaning operational information stored by the truck’s onboard computer, along with inspection and repair records.
• Driver records: Logs, training documents, communications, and hours-of-service records showing driving and on-duty time.
• Cargo documents: Loading records, weight information, bills of lading, and securement documentation.
• Company records: Hiring, supervision, maintenance, dispatch, and trucking company insurance information.

These records can help distinguish a braking mistake from a tire failure, shifted load, a maintenance issue, or a company-level safety problem. In a multi-vehicle collision, the location and movement of each vehicle may also help resolve competing accounts of what happened.

Compensation After a Tractor-Trailer Jackknife Accident

A claim may seek compensation for emergency treatment, ongoing medical care, lost income, reduced earning ability, property damage, physical pain, emotional distress, and future care needs. The losses available depend on the medical evidence, recovery period, effects on work and daily life, and conduct of each responsible party.

California’s comparative negligence rule assigns percentages of fault among those involved. It may become an issue if an insurer argues that another driver contributed to the collision. Wrongful death claims also have different eligible claimants, damages, and procedural requirements than claims brought by an injured survivor.

More Than 40 Years of Personal Injury Experience

We have recovered over $425 million for clients across our personal injury practice. Our overall results history demonstrates our experience handling serious claims, but it doesn’t promise a particular outcome in any individual case.

Steven Fabbro holds an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has earned Northern California Super Lawyers recognition, which is limited to the top 5% of attorneys in the region. We pair that professional recognition with personal attention at every stage of the legal process.