Jackknife Truck Accident Attorneys in Rochester, NY 

Finding Support After a Traumatic Incident 

Crashes involving heavy vehicles are scary. There’s no other way to put it. One minute, you’re driving down the road, and the next, a massive trailer swings out of control, creating chaos all around you. These collisions can leave you shaken, injured, and wondering what to do next. 

Our Rochester truck accident lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, understand how overwhelming it feels to pick up the pieces after such a traumatic event. You don’t have to do it alone. If you or someone you love has been affected by a big rig crash in Rochester, NY, we’re ready to help you move forward.

What’s a Jackknife Truck Accident and Why’s It So Dangerous? 

These crashes happen fast, leaving drivers and passengers with no time to react. Picture this: A truck’s trailer suddenly swings out at a sharp angle, forming an L-shape with the cab. It’s terrifying, and worse, it often blocks multiple lanes of traffic. 

Why do these accidents happen? A lot of reasons. Sometimes, it’s because a driver hits the brakes too hard. Other times, slick roads or sharp turns send the trailer sliding out of control. Here in Rochester, snowy winters and icy roads on highways like I-490 make collisions involving trucks an all-too-real danger. 

The aftermath? That’s even worse. Cars crushed under tons of metal, serious injuries, and lives changed forever. If you’ve been through this kind of nightmare, you’re probably wondering what to do next. We’ll get to that, but first, let’s talk about just how devastating these accidents can be. 

Why Big Rig Accidents Leave Lives in Ruins 

There’s no sugarcoating it—jackknife accidents cause chaos. They don’t just involve the truck. Smaller vehicles, pedestrians, and even cyclists can get caught up in the destruction. 

• Life-altering injuries: Broken bones, head trauma, or spinal injuries can change everything in an instant. The pain can linger for months or even years. 
• Emotional scars: The impact of a collision goes beyond physical. There's the mental toll that can stick with you, causing anxiety, fear of driving, or even PTSD. 
• Financial stress: Medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages pile up fast. For many, it’s a struggle just to stay afloat. 

Imagine driving on Route 104, just heading home from work. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a truck skids and blocks the entire road. That kind of moment changes everything. And if you’re here reading this, it’s probably already happened to you or someone you care about. 

The Real Reasons These Road Mishaps Happen 

Trucks suddenly swinging don’t just “happen.” There are always reasons behind them, and understanding those reasons can help when it’s time to hold someone accountable. Here are some of the biggest causes: 

• Sudden braking or speeding: Trucks are heavy, and when a driver brakes too hard, the trailer’s momentum can cause it to swing out. With speed in the mix, it’s a recipe for disaster. Air brake systems on trucks are required to achieve a stopping distance of no more than 235 feet when carrying a lightly loaded weight. 
• Improperly loaded cargo: Trucks need balance. When cargo isn’t loaded evenly, it throws everything off, and the driver finds it harder to stay in control. 
• Tough road conditions: Our winters can be brutal. Snow, ice, and rain turn highways like I-390 into slippery hazards, more so for big rigs. 
• Driver fatigue or intoxication: Long hours behind the wheel can cause drivers to lose focus. Newbies might not know yet how to handle tough situations. Truck drivers are under strict regulations under the FMCSA when it comes to drinking alcohol and getting behind the wheel. 

You’ve probably driven past a truck and wondered if it’s safe. It’s normal. Knowing these risks might not change what’s already happened to you, but it can help you understand why it did—and who’s to blame. 

Who’s Responsible When a Truck Jackknifes? 

This is where things get tricky. Figuring out who’s at fault isn’t always simple. In a jackknife accident, there could be more than one person—or company—responsible. 

• The truck driver: Maybe they were speeding, distracted, or didn’t adjust for bad weather. 
• The trucking company: Did they skip maintenance? Overwork their drivers? Push unrealistic schedules? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in almost all instances, requires inspections to be performed at the end of each day. 
• The manufacturer: Defective brakes or tires can cause accidents, too. 

In New York, we’ve got comparative negligence laws. That means even if you’re partly at fault, you can still get compensation. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. A good lawyer can figure out who’s really to blame and make sure they’re held accountable. 

How to Get the Compensation You Deserve 

After an accident like this, you deserve more than a handshake and an apology. You need real support—financial and otherwise. Here’s what you can seek: 

• Medical expenses: From orthopedic visits to long-term care, those bills add up fast. You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket. Your medical bills will be covered by your No-Fault carrier after the crash. 
• Lost wages: If you’re too injured to work, your paycheck doesn’t have to disappear. New York No-Fault benefits will cover 80% of your gross lost wages each month. 
• Pain and suffering: The physical and emotional toll of an accident matters. You deserve compensation for what you’ve been through. 

Building a case takes work, though. You’ll need police reports, photos, witness statements, and maybe even expert testimony. It’s a lot. But that’s what we as Rochester attorneys are here for—to handle the hard stuff so you can focus on getting better. 

What to Do Right After a Trailer Accident 

It’s hard to think clearly after a crash, but the steps you take right away can make a huge difference. Here’s what you need to do: 

• Stay safe and call for help. Your safety comes first. Get out of harm’s way if you can and call 911. 
• Document everything. Take the best possible photos of the vehicles, the road, and your injuries. The more evidence, the better. 
• Talk to witnesses. If anyone saw what happened, get their contact info. Their testimony could be crucial. 
• Get medical attention. Even if you don’t immediately feel severely injured, some injuries don’t show up right away. Let a doctor check you out. 
• Call an attorney. The sooner you get legal help, the sooner you can start putting your life back together. Don’t wait too long to consult with a legal expert. 

Why You Can Count on Horn Wright, LLP 

At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve seen the toll road accidents take on victims and their families, and we’re here to help. Our Rochester personal injury lawyers know the legal landscape. We can take on big trucking companies and their insurers—and we don’t back down.  

We have the home-field advantage, which could be helpful in your case, so don't face this alone. We’ll handle the legal side of things, from gathering evidence to negotiating settlements, so you can focus on healing. Justice isn’t just a word to us—it’s what we fight for every day. 

If you or someone you love has been affected, let us help. We'll guide you and make sure you get the justice you deserve. Take the first step toward recovery today, with one of the best law firms in America by your side.