You’re driving south on I-95 when a tractor trailer in the distance begins to skid. Within seconds, the trailer swings toward the cab at a sharp angle, blocking every lane. Vehicles crash into each other, traffic comes to a standstill, and first responders rush to help the injured.
This is a jackknife truck accident—one of the most dangerous collisions on Florida’s roads. These crashes can leave truck accident victims with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and long-term challenges. Knowing the common causes and the legal options available under Florida law can help you understand the risks and what steps to take if you or someone you care about is injured in an accident.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident and Why Are They So Dangerous?
A jackknife happens when the cab and trailer of a semi truck fold toward each other at a sharp angle, similar to a folding pocketknife. The sudden swing can sweep across lanes, strike other vehicles, and block the entire roadway. In seconds, traffic can grind to a halt as smaller vehicles become trapped, and multi-car pile-ups form.
Because commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, even moderate speeds create enough force to crush passenger cars and cause catastrophic injuries. These crashes often leave multiple vehicles damaged, result in fatalities, and lead to complex investigations where insurance companies work to limit payouts.
Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents in South Florida
Jackknife accidents rarely have just one cause. Often, a mix of driver behavior, vehicle condition, and road factors come together at the worst possible moment.
1. Hard Braking or Sudden Stops
Heavy rigs need longer stopping distances. If a truck driver brakes abruptly, the trailer momentum can push the cab and swing the trailer. Anti-lock braking helps, but aggressive braking on slick pavement can still produce a jackknife. In South Florida, sudden traffic slowdowns near construction zones, toll plazas, or high-volume interchanges can force truckers into hard stops that increase this risk.
2. Speeding and Risky Driving
Speed reduces reaction time and increases stopping distance. On busy South Florida corridors, including curves, bridges, and downhill segments, excess speed lets the trailer push forward during braking, which increases the chance of a truck crash.
3. Driver Fatigue and Distraction
Driver fatigue slows reaction time. Distraction from phones or GPS takes eyes off the road when quick adjustments are needed. These factors regularly show up in truck accident cases and can point to driver negligence.
4. Improperly Loaded Cargo
Unsecured or unevenly distributed loads change a trailer’s center of gravity. A routine lane change or curve can become unstable if cargo shifts. Overloading strains brakes and tires and raises the risk of a semi truck accident.
5. Mechanical Failures and Poor Maintenance
Defective truck parts, worn brakes, or bad tires can trigger a loss of control. Maintenance records may show missed inspections or overdue replacements. A faulty fifth-wheel or coupling can also let the trailer swing.
6. Weather and Road Conditions
South Florida’s rain and standing water cut traction. Crosswinds on open stretches can push a high-profile trailer. Potholes and uneven pavement on interchanges and exit ramps can unsettle a trailer at the worst moment. Hurricane season adds another layer of danger, with tropical storms bringing sudden downpours, flooded roadways, and debris that can make a jackknife accident more likely.
7. Inadequate Training or Negligent Hiring
Operating commercial trucks safely requires skill. Trucking companies that rush new drivers onto busy corridors or ignore red flags in backgrounds risk serious accidents tied to negligent hiring or poor supervision.
Federal and Florida Trucking Laws That May Apply
Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow strict safety rules under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including limits on driving hours, required rest periods, and regular inspections. Hours-of-service violations can often be proven through electronic logging device (ELD) data, which may show when a driver stayed on the road longer than allowed.
Florida law also regulates truck weight, routes, and equipment standards. Violating these rules can be powerful evidence of negligence.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Jackknife Accident?
Liability can fall on more than just the truck driver. Depending on the facts, parties that may be responsible include:
- The truck driver for unsafe driving or violating trucking laws
- The trucking company for poor maintenance, negligent hiring, or forcing unrealistic delivery schedules
- Cargo loading crews for failing to secure freight
- Freight brokers, third-party logistics providers, or parts manufacturers if unsafe carriers or defective components contributed to the crash
- Another motorist whose reckless maneuver set off the chain reaction
Be aware that Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible for your own injuries, you cannot recover any damages. If your share of fault is 50% or less, you may still seek compensation, but it will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
How Fault Is Proven in a Truck Accident Case
Establishing fault in a truck accident lawsuit takes more than your account of what happened. Strong evidence can include:
- Police crash reports
- Maintenance records from the trucking company
- Black box and electronic logging device (ELD) data (black box data can include speed, brake use, steering inputs, and more)
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Medical records linking your injuries to the crash
Your West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer may also consult accident reconstruction experts to show how driver negligence, driver fatigue, or equipment failure caused the jackknife.
The moments after a crash are overwhelming, but the actions you take can make a major difference in your ability to recover compensation. Seeking prompt medical attention not only protects your health but also creates a documented link between the accident and your injuries. Reporting the crash to law enforcement creates an official record.
Photographs of the scene, the truck, your vehicle, and visible injuries can be valuable evidence. If you can, gather contact details for the truck driver and any witnesses. Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media, as insurance companies can use these posts to challenge your claim.
Speak with a West Palm Beach truck accident attorney as soon as possible before talking to the insurance company, as adjusters often look for statements they can use to limit your claim.
Deadlines for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Florida
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, you typically have one year from the date of death to file. Missing these deadlines usually means you cannot pursue compensation.
How South Florida Personal Injury Attorneys Can Support Your Case
Handling a jackknife accident claim means dealing with trucking companies, insurers, and sometimes multiple defendants. An attorney can:
- Investigate the accident thoroughly
- Identify all liable parties
- Calculate damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses
- Negotiate with the insurance company for fair compensation
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court if needed
Injured in a Jackknife Truck Accident in South Florida? Take the First Step Toward Holding the Negligent Party Accountable
A jackknife truck accident can leave you facing physical pain, financial stress, and an uphill battle against trucking companies and their insurers. At DiBiaggio Law, West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer Deirdre DiBiaggio fights tirelessly for truck accident victims throughout South Florida. She doesn’t back down from tough cases, and she’s prepared to take your claim to trial if that’s what it takes to secure fair compensation.
When you work with our firm, you get more than legal representation. You get an advocate who knows how to uncover critical evidence, challenge defense tactics, and build a case that puts your best interests first. We understand how much is on the line for you and your family, and we’re committed to pursuing every avenue for recovery under Florida law.
Call (561) 473-9800 or fill out our confidential online form to schedule your free consultation.
Copyright © 2025. DiBiaggio Law. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
DiBiaggio Law
605 Belvedere Road, Suite 17
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
(561) 473-9800
https://www.dibiaggiolaw.com
