Hollywood Tractor-Trailer Jackknife Accident Lawyers

Few traffic accidents are as terrifying as a tractor-trailer jackknife. In a matter of seconds, a massive 80,000-pound rig can fold in on itself, sweeping across multiple lanes of traffic and crushing smaller vehicles in its path. Victims often suffer catastrophic injuries or lose their lives in these violent crashes, leaving families devastated and facing overwhelming financial and emotional burdens.

At Ansel & Miller, our attorneys have spent decades representing clients in Florida who have been injured in serious truck accidents, including jackknife crashes. We focus on the most complex and catastrophic cases because we know the stakes are high, and we are committed to giving each client the personal attention they deserve. Our Hollywood tractor-trailer jackknife accident lawyers combine legal skill, in-depth knowledge of trucking regulations, and relentless advocacy to hold negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable.

What Is a Jackknife Accident?

A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer of a tractor-trailer swings out to the side, forming an acute angle with the cab, resembling the shape of a folding pocketknife. When this happens, the driver often loses all control of the vehicle. The trailer may skid across several lanes, block oncoming traffic, or collide with vehicles caught in its path.

These crashes are especially dangerous on Florida’s busy highways, where high speeds, congestion, and heavy truck traffic increase the risk of widespread destruction. A jackknifed truck can cause multi-vehicle pileups, fires, and catastrophic injuries.

Why Do Tractor-Trailers Jackknife?

Jackknife accidents are rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, they often result from a combination of driver error, equipment failure, and roadway conditions. Some of the most common causes include:

Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the number of hours truck drivers can be on duty through Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules. These rules allow up to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and up to 60/70 hours of driving in 7/8 consecutive days, depending on the schedule.

These supposed safety regulations remain generous to the trucking industry, permitting long stretches behind the wheel with little true rest. To make matters worse, drivers often violate HOS rules to meet tight delivery deadlines, falsifying logbooks or manipulating electronic logging devices. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, increasing the likelihood of over-braking or losing control, a common trigger for jackknife crashes.

Sudden or Improper Braking

A leading cause of jackknife accidents is hard braking, especially when a truck is traveling at high speeds or on wet or slippery roads. When a driver slams on the brakes, the cab slows faster than the trailer, causing the trailer to swing outward.

Negligent Truck Maintenance

Trucking companies are required under FMCSA regulations to perform regular inspections and maintain their fleets in safe working condition. Critical systems such as brakes, tires, and coupling devices must be kept in proper order. If brakes are worn or unevenly adjusted, or if tires have insufficient tread, the risk of a jackknife skyrockets. Sadly, maintenance is often deferred to save money, and unsafe trucks are left in service on the road.

Improper Cargo Loading

Federal regulations also require cargo to be properly balanced and secured. If cargo shifts during transport, the trailer can become unstable, especially during braking or turning maneuvers. An unbalanced load is far more likely to cause a trailer to swing out of line with the cab, triggering a jackknife.

The Devastating Consequences of Jackknife Crashes

Because of the sheer size and weight of tractor-trailers, jackknife accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Victims in smaller passenger vehicles typically bear the brunt of the impact. Common outcomes include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that can impair cognition, memory, and daily functioning.
Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis.
Severe burns if the crash involves a fuel fire.
Multiple fractures and crush injuries, often requiring extensive surgeries.
Fatal injuries, leaving families grieving and struggling with financial hardship.

Recovery from such injuries can take months or years, and many victims are never able to return to their former quality of life. Medical bills, lost income, and long-term care costs can quickly overwhelm a family. That is why securing experienced legal representation is so critical.

Liability in Jackknife Accidents

One of the most challenging aspects of jackknife cases is determining liability. These crashes often involve multiple vehicles, complex chains of events, and several potentially responsible parties, such as:

The truck driver, for negligent driving, speeding, or violating HOS rules.
The trucking company, for failing to enforce safety standards, encouraging unrealistic schedules, or neglecting vehicle maintenance.
The cargo loading company, for improperly securing freight.
The maintenance contractor, if outside parties were responsible for truck upkeep.

Proving fault requires careful investigation, including reviewing driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, and accident reconstruction reports. Ansel & Miller has the resources and experience to uncover the truth and hold the responsible parties accountable.

FMCSA Regulations and Industry Violations

The FMCSA sets detailed regulations governing driver conduct, vehicle maintenance, and cargo handling. These include:

Hours-of-Service limits designed to reduce fatigue.
Vehicle inspection and repair requirements mandating that trucks are in safe operating condition.
Cargo securement rules requiring loads to be properly tied down and distributed.

Despite these regulations, violations are common. Trucking companies are under constant pressure to maximize profits, and safety rules are often bent or ignored. Our attorneys have seen time and again how corners are cut, resulting in devastating crashes.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Jackknife accident cases are unlike typical car accident claims. Trucking companies and their insurers are aggressive in defending these cases because the potential liability is enormous. From the moment a crash occurs, their investigators and lawyers are at work building a defense.

Victims who try to handle these cases on their own are at a severe disadvantage. Truck accident litigation often involves federal regulations, corporate defendants, and expert testimony. Without skilled representation, it is easy for victims to be overwhelmed or pressured into accepting far less compensation than they deserve.

Ansel & Miller has built its reputation on handling serious injury cases and standing up to powerful trucking companies. We have the knowledge to navigate FMCSA regulations, the resources to hire top accident reconstruction experts, and the dedication to see each case through to trial if necessary. Just as importantly, we form close relationships with our clients, guiding them through the process with compassion and commitment.

How Ansel & Miller Helps Victims of Serious Hollywood Truck Accidents

When you choose Ansel & Miller, you are choosing a firm with decades of experience in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. We understand the devastation a jackknife accident can cause, and we work tirelessly to secure the financial recovery our clients need to move forward.

Our attorneys investigate every detail of the crash, preserve evidence before it disappears, and confront trucking companies head-on. We handle communication with insurers, calculate damages that reflect the true scope of your losses, and pursue accountability in court when necessary.

But beyond legal skill, what sets us apart is our personal approach. We know that behind every case is a family struggling to rebuild their lives. We treat our clients with dignity, respect, and care, walking with them every step of the way.

Contact Ansel & Miller After a Jackknife Accident in Hollywood

If you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor-trailer jackknife accident in Hollywood, Florida, you need experienced advocates on your side. These are not cases to navigate alone, and the sooner you involve an attorney, the stronger your case will be.

At Ansel & Miller, we combine decades of experience, a focus on serious and catastrophic cases, and a personal commitment to every client we serve. Our firm has the resources to take on powerful trucking companies, and the compassion to stand beside you in your time of need.

Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you pursue justice and financial recovery after a jackknife accident.