A jackknife accident is a truck accident that happens when the tractor-trailer begins to overtake the cab. This movement leads to a “V” shape. If the trailer begins to swivel and swing to the side, the jackknife could cross multiple lanes, collide with items off to the side of the road, cause the vehicle to roll onto its side, and cause other issues. 

In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows in its latest data set that 4,842 fatal crashes involving jackknifing occurred in 2020. In addition to those fatal crashes, another 107,000 led to injuries. 

The good news is that jackknife accidents don’t have to happen. There are ways to control your vehicle to prevent and correct a jackknife, so you can stay safe and keep others safe as well.  

As a truck driver, it’s important for you to understand how jackknife crashes happen and what you can do to prevent them for your own safety and the safety of others. 

Why Do Jackknives Happen?

There are several reasons why a jackknife can happen, one of which is the cab stopping too suddenly. Other possible causes of a jackknife accident could include:

• Bad weather conditions leading to skidding and sliding on the road
• Turning too quickly
• Overcompensating during a safety maneuver, such as when you quickly move out of the lane and then try to correct your vehicle
• Brake failures
• Tire failures
• Drowsy driving
• Drunk driving
• Improper loading/imbalanced loading
• Speeding

You can take steps to avoid a jackknife by using safe driving techniques, maintaining your vehicle, and knowing the weather before you go out. 

Avoid a Semi Truck Jackknife With Pre-Trip Planning

Pre-trip preparations are key to avoiding serious accidents caused by jackknifing. In fact, inspections are so important that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires drivers to perform these inspections:

• At the beginning of each workday
• Whenever a driver picks up a new trailer
• During mandated 10-hour breaks

It’s important for your vehicle to go through regular maintenance checks, ensuring that the brakes, tires, and suspension systems work as they are supposed to. Your pre-trip inspection should take 20 to 30 minutes. Look for signs of damage or wear and tear. If you feel there is anything out of the ordinary, it’s better to have the vehicle looked at than to head out and risk a crash.

Safe Driving Practices

Some of the best safety tips to keep in mind to avoid a jackknifed semi accident include:

• Maintaining a safe following distance. You should always give yourself plenty of space to maneuver and brake when necessary. Don’t tailgate drivers — be sure to keep anywhere from 20 to 30 car lengths between yourself and the vehicle ahead of you.
• Avoiding sudden movements or stops. Use gradual braking and acceleration to avoid movements that could cause the trailer to swing out of alignment. 
• Adhering to speed limits. When you stick to the speed limit, you’re less likely to run into problems with sudden stops or maneuvers. It is particularly important to avoid speeding in adverse weather conditions or when you’re traveling on steep grades, such as if you’re descending on a mountain highway.

Adapting to Road and Weather Conditions

Poor weather has an immense impact on the way you drive your vehicle. When it’s icy, there is a greater risk of losing control, for example, and rain or snow can also make roads slicker than usual. 

So, how do you handle different weather conditions and prevent a jackknife? 

• In heavy rain, remember that visibility is reduced. To brake safely and avoid colliding with other vehicles or causing a jackknife accident, you should slow down, take your vehicle off cruise control, and turn on your headlights. Keep your windows clear by using the defroster and windshield wipers as needed.
• With snow and ice, follow the same rules as driving in rain. Additionally, remember that black ice could be on the roads even if snow doesn’t seem to be sticking. Bring down your speed, space yourself out from other vehicles, and be cautious on overpasses and bridges that may freeze before other roadways.
• For wind, understand that your trailer may sway but shouldn’t be swaying uncontrollably. Carrying weight in your trailer can help reduce the risk of a jackknife or rollover in high winds.
• In foggy conditions, use your low beams. Since visibility can be heavily reduced, it’s best to wait out the fog by pulling over into a designated rest stop or parking lot. If you can’t, use your hazard lights and pull over on the shoulder as far off the roadway as possible. 

How To Maneuver Out of a Jackknife

If you jackknife a truck, there are a few different things you can try. 

The first is to take your foot off the brake. Since most jackknives start with braking, releasing your foot off the pedal can help you maintain your speed and begin to start pulling the front of the trailer forward again. 

Another option is to steer into the skid. Turn your steering wheel in the direction the trailer is moving. While you might be inclined to turn the other way to get control, turning in the same direction as the trailer’s slide will help you correct the movement. Counter-steering the vehicle can help you pull it back into alignment and straighten out the truck. 

Once you get the trailer back into alignment or you feel that it is moving in the right direction, start to slowly apply the brakes to bring your vehicle to a stop or get it back into the lane safely. 

Build a Safe Driving Career With Pride

At Pride Transport, we believe in making every drive a safe one. Learning to control your vehicle in the toughest circumstances makes you a stronger driver and can help you avoid serious collisions on your routes. 

Ready to learn more and get started with a career at Pride? Visit us to see our current CDL job openings.