If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic on the 5 or 405, you’ve probably seen the aftermath of a jackknifed truck, a big rig folded across lanes, cars scattered, and emergency crews rushing to help.
These jackknife truck accidents are not only common on Southern California freeways but also among the most disruptive and dangerous. Here’s what drivers in Los Angeles and Orange County need to know about how these crashes happen and how an experienced truck accident lawyer can help.
What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?
Before diving into the numbers, it’s important to understand what a jackknife accident is and why it’s so dangerous. A jackknife crash occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out from the cab at a sharp angle, forming an “L” or “V” shape. This often happens when the driver brakes too hard or loses traction, causing the trailer to skid sideways and block every lane of traffic.
Jackknife accidents are most likely to occur on high-speed highways, curved roads, and steep grades, especially during sudden stops or wet conditions. They often happen on downhill slopes, freeway on- and off-ramps, or intersections where trucks need to brake quickly.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in Los Angeles and Orange County?
Truck traffic is a part of daily life in Southern California, especially along major routes like the I-5, 405, 710, and 91 Freeways that connect Los Angeles and Orange County.
Heavy truck traffic keeps the region moving, but also leads to hundreds of serious collisions each year. The statistics below show how common truck accidents are across Los Angeles and Orange County, underscoring why safety on local freeways remains a major concern.
Truck Accidents in Los Angeles County (2023)
- 1,699 Total Truck Crashes
- 75 Fatalities
- 2,210 Injuries
Truck Accidents in Orange County (2023)
- 368 Total Truck Crashes
- 8 Fatalities
- 486 Injuries
Data provided by UC Berkeley Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS).
National Data Reveals the Scope of Jackknife Truck Crashes
Each year, national jackknife truck accidents remind us how challenging it is to maintain control of heavy commercial vehicles on busy highways.
Compared to other truck crash types, jackknife accidents often result in more vehicles involved and higher fatality rates, making them one of the most destructive collisions tracked by federal safety agencies.
In 2021 alone, federal crash data revealed the scope of the danger:
∙ 5,700 Jackknife Truck Accidents
∙ 127 Fatal Crashes
∙ 1,000 Injury Crashes
Many of these incidents involve long-haul drivers traveling across multiple states, often fatigued or forced to brake suddenly in traffic. For Los Angeles and Orange County, where ports and interstates carry heavy truck traffic daily, the same risks apply, making jackknife crashes a constant threat on local roads.
Common Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknife crashes rarely happen by chance; they’re usually caused by preventable mistakes. In the fast-paced traffic of Los Angeles and Orange County, unsafe driving habits, poor maintenance, and bad weather can quickly combine into a dangerous situation.
Here are some of the most common factors our truck accident attorneys uncover during investigations:
- Speeding or sudden braking on congested freeways
- Wet or slippery roads from rain or oil spills
- Driver fatigue or distraction during long routes
- Poorly balanced or shifting cargo
- Brake or tire failures due to lack of maintenance
Each of these factors increases the risk of a truck losing control and jackknifing, especially on busy routes like the 405 or 710. When these crashes happen, it’s rarely due to a single mistake.
Multiple parties may share blame, including a driver who brakes too suddenly, a trucking company that skips maintenance, or a manufacturer with defective parts. Identifying who’s responsible is essential to helping victims recover the full compensation they deserve.
Don’t face trucking companies alone!
Common Injuries Caused by Jackknife Truck Accidents
When a semi-truck jackknifes on a major highway, the sudden loss of control can set off chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles. On crowded Los Angeles and Orange County freeways, these accidents often leave drivers and passengers seriously injured or immobilized inside their vehicles after impact
Seeking medical attention right away is essential, not only to protect your health but also to strengthen your personal injury claim.
Common injuries from jackknife truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain and head injuries from sudden impact or flying debris.
- Spinal cord and back injuries that can cause chronic pain or paralysis.
- Broken bones and internal bleeding from crushing forces.
- Severe burns and whiplash caused by the violent motion of the crash.
These injuries often require months of treatment and rehabilitation, leaving victims facing mounting bills, lost income, and emotional distress. Having an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and the pain these crashes cause.
Technology and Regulations Aimed at Reducing Jackknife Accidents
Advances in safety technology and tougher federal rules have reduced many jackknife truck accidents across California. Still, these protections only work when companies follow them.
Some of the most effective technologies and regulations include:
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems help prevent skidding and trailer swing-outs by automatically adjusting braking and engine power to keep the truck stable.
- Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) allow truck drivers to maintain steering control during sudden or emergency stops, reducing the risk of losing traction.
- Driver fatigue monitoring systems track a driver’s hours on the road and issue alerts when signs of drowsiness or overwork appear, helping prevent fatigue-related crashes.
- FMCSA regulations require trucking companies to perform regular vehicle inspections, maintain detailed maintenance logs, and provide ongoing safety training for their drivers.
These tools exist to keep roads safer, but without accountability and compliance, even the best technology can’t prevent avoidable crashes.
Fighting Back After a Truck Crash: What a Lawyer Can Do for You
After a jackknife truck accident, you shouldn’t have to face trucking companies or insurance adjusters alone. These corporations move quickly to protect their interests, but you deserve an advocate who will fight just as hard for yours.
At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our experienced California truck accident attorneys handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing. We work to uncover the truth, hold negligent parties accountable, and secure the full compensation you deserve.
Here’s how our legal team can help:
- Investigate the crash to determine what happened and who’s responsible
- Gather critical evidence, including black box data, driver logs, police reports, and witness statements
- Calculate your damages, covering medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care needs
- Negotiate aggressively with insurers or take your case to trial if necessary
We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis; you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Helping Victims Rebuild After Jackknife Truck Accidents in Los Angeles and Orange County
Trucking companies have entire legal teams protecting their bottom line; you deserve the same strength on your side. At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we’ve spent decades fighting for victims across Los Angeles, Orange County, and throughout Southern California, recovering millions for those injured in devastating truck crashes.
Let our team handle the legal battle while you focus on recovery. Call today for your free case review; you pay nothing unless we win.
SHERIF EDMOND EL DABE
Founder / Partner / Attorney
Sherif Edmond El Dabe, founding partner of El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers in Los Angeles and Huntington Beach, is a seasoned trial attorney focused on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith cases. He has recovered over $224 million for clients and spoken at leading legal conferences, including CAALA and TBI Med Legal.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should consult with an experienced attorney for advice on your specific situation.