Jackknife Truck Accident Attorneys 

Jackknife Truck Crashes Are Pure Chaos—Here’s Why They’re So Dangerous 

A jackknife truck crash isn’t just another highway accident. It’s a nightmare. One second, everything’s fine. The next, a massive 80,000-pound semi loses control, its trailer swinging sideways like a steel wrecking ball, obliterating anything in its path. When a truck jackknifes, it can: 

• Crush smaller vehicles on impact. Cars, SUVs, motorcycles—nothing stands a chance against a skidding semi. 
• Trigger massive pileups. On highways like I-87 or I-495, a jackknifed truck can block multiple lanes, causing chain-reaction crashes. 
• Trap victims inside their cars. Some crashes leave people pinned, waiting in terror for rescue crews. 
• End in catastrophic injuries—or worse. Broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries or fatal consequences. 

And if you or a loved one got caught in one, you deserve answers. A truck accident lawyer at Horn Wright, LLP, can investigate your case, gather evidence, and hold the responsible parties accountable. 

Weather Turns Trucks Into Unstoppable Missiles 

You’ve seen it—black ice coating the roads, heavy rain turning the highway into a slip-and-slide, brutal wind gusts shaking big rigs like toys. Truckers are supposed to adjust. Some don’t. And when they don’t, jackknifes happen. 

Here’s why bad weather makes these crashes more likely: 

• Icy roads are death traps. Black ice is invisible, and once a truck’s wheels hit it, there’s no stopping that trailer from swinging out. 
• Heavy rain means zero traction. Wet pavement makes it harder for truck tires to grip the road. If a driver brakes too hard, the truck’s trailer can skid out of control. 
• Brutal winds push trailers sideways. Empty or lightly loaded trailers are especially vulnerable. A strong gust can shove them straight into another lane—or into oncoming traffic. 

Truckers know they’re supposed to slow down when the weather is bad. But not all of them do. And when they take risks, innocent people pay the price. 

You Got Hit by a Jackknifed Truck. Now What? 

The impact, the screeching metal, the shock—you’ve just been in a jackknife truck crash. Now, you’re left with mounting medical bills, a wrecked car, and a million questions. Who’s responsible? Who’s going to pay for all this? Can you even sue? 

The answer is yes. But who you can sue depends on what caused the crash. 

• The Truck Driver – Were they speeding? Tailgating? Braking too hard? Careless driving is one of the biggest causes of jackknifes. 
• The Trucking Company – Did they force the driver to work insane hours? Skip safety training? Companies that cut corners put everyone in danger. 
• A Maintenance Crew – Were the truck’s brakes worn out? Tires bald? If a truck wasn’t properly maintained, the repair shop or fleet owner could be at fault. 
• A Government Agency – Were the roads in horrible shape? If a giant pothole or poorly maintained highway contributed to the crash, the city or state could share the blame. 

Trucking companies and their insurance adjusters will fight you every step of the way. They’ll downplay your injuries. They’ll try to shift the blame. But you don’t have to take it. You’ve got options—and a truck accident lawyer can help you file a strong claim for maximum compensation. 

Could Faulty Brakes Have Caused the Crash? You Might Have a Case. 

Sometimes, it’s not the trucker’s fault at all. Sometimes, the brakes fail—locking up when they shouldn’t, sending the truck into a deadly skid. And when that happens, the blame might fall on the manufacturer. 

If defective brakes played a role in your crash, you could sue: 

• The Manufacturer – If the brakes were poorly designed or made with faulty parts, the company that built them could be responsible. 
• The Trucking Company – If they ignored safety recalls or skipped brake inspections to save money, that’s on them. 
• A Repair Shop – If a mechanic installed the wrong parts or made critical mistakes during maintenance, they could be held accountable. 

Brake failures aren’t accidents. They’re preventable. And if you’re suffering because a company cut corners, they should be the ones paying—not you. If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a jackknife truck accident, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer at Horn Wright, LLP, to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. 

Winning Your Case Comes Down to the Right Investigation. Here’s How We Do It. 

Truck accident cases aren’t won by luck. They’re won with cold, hard evidence. We get it by: 

• Pulling Black Box Data. This tells us the truck’s speed, braking, and steering before the crash. 
• Analyzing Maintenance Records. If the truck’s brakes or tires were faulty, we’ll find out. 
• Consulting Crash Experts. They help us piece together exactly what happened—and who’s at fault. 
• Securing Traffic Cam Footage. Video evidence can shut down an insurance company’s excuses fast. 

The more evidence we have, the stronger your case. That’s why hiring an experienced legal team is essential. The trucking company and their insurer will do everything possible to deny or minimize your claim. We make sure they don’t get away with it. 

Hit by a Jackknifed Truck? Get a Free Case Review Today. 

If you or someone you love was hurt in a jackknife truck crash, you don’t have to fight this battle alone. 

At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve helped truck accident victims across New York take on powerful trucking companies—and win. We’ll listen to your story, explain your rights, and help you figure out the best path forward. 

No upfront fees. No pressure. Just real answers from a team that cares. 

Recognized as one of the best law firms in America, our firm is dedicated to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call a New York truck accident lawyer today for your free consultation.