Quick answer
A jackknife truck accident happens when the trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, often after hard braking, a skid, or a loss of traction. Rollovers and tire blowouts are closely related. Federal rules set standards for truck tires, brakes and cargo securement, and a break in those rules can be evidence of who is at fault.
A jackknife truck accident is one of the most frightening crashes you can see on a Phoenix freeway. The trailer swings out until it sits at a sharp angle to the cab, and it can sweep across several lanes in seconds. Rollovers and tire blowouts are close cousins: each one starts with a truck losing stability, and each one can trap other drivers with almost no warning.
This guide explains how these crashes happen, which federal rules apply, and what you can do to protect your claim. It is general information, not legal advice. For the bigger picture, see our Phoenix truck accident lawyer overview.
Why jackknife and rollover crashes matter in Phoenix
The Valley's freeway system puts heavy trucks on tight ramps, long curves and sudden slowdowns. Places where speed and curves meet include the I-10/I-17 Stack interchange, the I-10 Broadway Curve, and the interchanges of Loop 101, Loop 202 and Loop 303. A truck that enters a curving ramp too fast can tip, even when the posted speed is low.
North of Phoenix, I-17 climbs and drops through steep grades toward Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. Long downgrades put heavy demands on truck brakes. Arizona law bars drivers from coasting in neutral on a downgrade, and bars commercial motor vehicle drivers from coasting downhill with the clutch disengaged (A.R.S. 28-895 (opens in a new tab)).
Then there is the heat. Phoenix summers are long and hot, and pavement temperatures run high. Heat on its own does not explain a blowout, but it can add stress to a tire that is already underinflated, overloaded, worn or badly repaired. Federal tire rules reflect this: they set minimum cold inflation pressures for the load and bar loading a tire beyond its rated weight (49 CFR 393.75 (opens in a new tab)). For local crash data, see ADOT's Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts (opens in a new tab).
How these crashes happen
Jackknifes
A jackknife usually begins when the tractor's drive wheels lock up or lose grip while the trailer keeps moving forward. The trailer then pivots around the hitch and swings out. Common factors include hard braking, speed that is too fast for the conditions, an empty or lightly loaded trailer, wet pavement during monsoon storms, and brakes that are out of adjustment.
Rollovers
A truck has a high center of gravity, so a sharp turn at speed can tip it. Rollovers often happen on ramps and curves, during sudden swerves, or when a wheel drops off the pavement edge. Loose or shifting cargo makes it worse, because weight that moves to one side can push the truck past its tipping point.
Arizona law says no one may drive faster than is "reasonable and prudent" under the conditions. It also requires a lower speed when going around a curve (A.R.S. 28-701 (opens in a new tab)). Federal rules also bar a motor carrier from setting a schedule that would require a driver to speed (49 CFR 392.6 (opens in a new tab)). Tight schedules can tie into fatigue as well. Our guide to hours of service violations explains those rules.
Tire blowouts
A blowout on a steer tire can pull a truck hard to one side. A blowout on a trailer tire can throw tread debris into traffic or start a skid. Federal rules bar operating a truck on tires with exposed ply or belt material, tread or sidewall separation, a flat or an audible leak (49 CFR 393.75(a) (opens in a new tab)).
The same rule sets minimum tread depth: at least 4/32 of an inch on front tires of a truck or truck tractor, and 2/32 of an inch on other tires. It also bars running a tire at a cold inflation pressure below what the load requires, and bars loading a tire beyond the weight marked on its sidewall, with narrow exceptions (49 CFR 393.75(b), (c), (g), (i) (opens in a new tab)).
Brakes
All brakes on a truck must be capable of operating at all times, with limited exceptions (49 CFR 393.48 (opens in a new tab)). Air-braked truck tractors made on or after March 1, 1997, and other air-braked commercial vehicles made on or after March 1, 1998, must have antilock brakes (49 CFR 393.55 (opens in a new tab)). Antilock brakes are designed to help keep wheels from locking, so a disabled or faulty system can matter in a jackknife case.
Cargo shift and securement
Federal cargo rules are in 49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I, "Protection Against Shifting and Falling Cargo" (opens in a new tab). Cargo must be secured so it does not leak, spill, blow or fall off. It also must not shift in a way that harms the vehicle's stability or handling (49 CFR 393.100 (opens in a new tab)).
Securement systems must hold up against set forces. For example, they must withstand 0.8 g of deceleration in the forward direction without exceeding the manufacturer's breaking strength rating (49 CFR 393.102 (opens in a new tab)). There are also commodity-specific rules for items such as logs, metal coils, concrete pipe, heavy machinery and large boulders (49 CFR 393.116–393.136). Arizona has its own rule that a load must not drop, sift, leak or escape from a vehicle (A.R.S. 28-1098 (opens in a new tab)).
Who may be responsible
More than one party can share fault in a jackknife, rollover or blowout crash. Depending on the facts, that may include:
The truck driver, for speed, following distance or braking choices.
The motor carrier, which must systematically inspect, repair and maintain the vehicles it controls (49 CFR 396.3 (opens in a new tab)).
A shipper or loader, if the cargo was loaded or secured poorly.
A repair shop or tire service, if a recent repair failed.
A tire or parts manufacturer, if a defect is suspected.
Our guide on who is liable in a truck accident goes deeper into how fault is shared under Arizona law.
What to do after a jackknife, rollover or blowout crash
Get medical care. Some injuries do not show up right away. Follow your doctor's advice and keep your records.
Report the crash and get the report number. Ask which agency responded, such as the Arizona Department of Public Safety or a city police department.
Photograph everything you safely can. Tire debris, skid marks, cargo on the road, the trailer's position and any visible damage can all be useful.
Collect names and contact details. Note the trucking company name, the USDOT number on the cab door, and any witnesses.
Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer before you get legal advice.
Ask a lawyer about a preservation letter. Tire remains, the truck's engine control data, maintenance files and inspection reports can be lost or repaired away. Carriers only have to keep hours-of-service records and supporting documents for 6 months (49 CFR 395.8(k) (opens in a new tab)). That is why a preservation letter is worth sending early.
What investigators look at
A careful investigation into a jackknife truck accident often covers:
Driver vehicle inspection reports and the driver's pre-trip check of brakes and tires (49 CFR 396.13 (opens in a new tab); 49 CFR 392.7 (opens in a new tab)).
The annual inspection record required for each commercial motor vehicle (49 CFR 396.17 (opens in a new tab)).
Tire purchase, retread and repair records.
Bills of lading, load weights and securement details.
Electronic logging device data and engine or brake data.
Dash camera video, if the truck has it.
Arizona law that applies
Two-year deadline. Most Arizona personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues (A.R.S. 12-542 (opens in a new tab)).
Public entity claims. If a city, county or the state is involved, for example over a road condition or a government-owned truck, a notice of claim is due within 180 days (A.R.S. 12-821.01 (opens in a new tab)) and suit generally within one year (A.R.S. 12-821 (opens in a new tab)).
Comparative fault. Your recovery may be reduced by your share of fault, but it is not automatically barred (A.R.S. 12-2505 (opens in a new tab)).
Fault among defendants. Each defendant is generally responsible only for its own share of fault, with exceptions (A.R.S. 12-2506 (opens in a new tab)).
If the crash involved a trailer swinging across lanes, you may have been hit by the side or rear of the trailer. Our guide to underride and blind-spot crashes covers those risks.
How we can help
A lawyer can send preservation letters, request the carrier's records, and bring in accident reconstruction and tire analysis help where the case calls for it. Our fee is a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fee unless there is a recovery. The fee percentage and how case costs are handled depend on the case, and if there is no recovery you may still owe case costs. Attorney Gil Hacohen speaks English, Hebrew and Spanish.
Talk to a Phoenix truck accident lawyer for free
Tell us what happened. We'll review your situation and explain your options. There's no fee unless you recover money.
Frequently asked questions
What causes a jackknife truck accident?
A jackknife usually starts when the tractor's wheels lock or lose grip and the trailer keeps moving, swinging out to the side. Hard braking, speed for the conditions, empty or light trailers, worn brakes, a tire failure and shifting cargo are common factors that investigators look at.
Can the trucking company be responsible for a tire blowout?
It can be, depending on the facts. Federal rules require motor carriers to systematically inspect, repair and maintain their vehicles (49 CFR 396.3), and they bar running on tires with certain defects or below the cold inflation pressure specified for the load (49 CFR 393.75). If a blowout traces back to skipped maintenance, the carrier may share fault. A tire maker or repair shop may also be involved.
Does Phoenix heat really affect truck tires?
Heat is one of the conditions that can stress tires, especially tires that are underinflated or overloaded. That does not mean heat alone explains a blowout. An investigation looks at the tire's age, inflation, load, repair history and inspection records.
Who checks whether cargo was loaded correctly?
Federal cargo securement rules in 49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I, require cargo to be secured so it does not shift in a way that hurts the truck's stability. The driver, the carrier and sometimes the shipper or loader can be part of the investigation (49 CFR 393.100).
I was partly at fault. Can I still bring a claim in Arizona?
Arizona uses comparative fault under A.R.S. 12-2505. Your damages may be reduced in proportion to your share of fault, but your share of fault does not automatically bar the claim.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a rollover crash?
In most Arizona personal injury cases the deadline is two years under A.R.S. 12-542. Shorter deadlines can apply if a public entity is involved, such as the 180-day notice of claim in A.R.S. 12-821.01 and the one-year deadline to sue in A.R.S. 12-821. Talk to a lawyer early.