Our experienced Sioux Falls legal team is here to help

Large trucks are an important part of South Dakota’s economy. They often share Interstate 229, 29 and 90 with smaller passenger vehicles. However, when a truck loses control due to poor driving habits or slippery road conditions, the damage can be devastating. Jackknife truck accidents can happen with any large vehicle with a trailer hitched to the back. When the vehicle loses control, the trailer spins out and forms an L shape at a 90-degree angle.

If you have been injured, you need the legal advocacy of an experienced truck accident attorney. The legal team at Northern Plains Justice, LLP have years of experience and legal knowledge handling jackknife accidents caused by negligent truck drivers. We have the case results to prove it. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you.

What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?

A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer of a large truck swings out to the side and forms an “L” or “V” shape with the cab. This dangerous event often leads to multi-vehicle pileups, rollovers, and high-speed crashes. These types of accidents are more likely to occur when:

• A truck driver brakes too quickly on wet or icy roads

• Equipment fails due to poor maintenance

• Cargo is improperly loaded or shifts during transport

• A driver speeds, tailgates, or takes curves too fast

• A fatigued or distracted driver reacts late to traffic conditions

These crashes are more common in winter months along rural highways and interstates like I-29 and I-90, especially near on-ramps, off-ramps, and construction zones.

Who Is Liable in a Jackknife Accident?

Determining fault in a jackknife crash can be complex. Liability may rest with:

• The truck driver, for careless driving or violating federal trucking regulations

• The trucking company, for negligent hiring or failure to train

• A maintenance provider, if faulty brakes or tires caused the wreck

• A freight loader, for improperly balanced or unsecured cargo

• A third-party driver, if they cut off or brake-checked the truck

Our experienced legal team at Northern Plains Justice will launch a full investigation, using accident reports, dashcam footage, black box data, and expert analysis to uncover the truth.

Learn more about how we build strong truck accident cases by visiting our Sioux Falls truck accident lawyer page.

Common Injuries in Jackknife Accidents

Due to the massive weight and size of tractor-trailers, jackknife crashes often result in severe or fatal injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• Spinal cord damage and paralysis

• Broken bones and crush injuries

• Internal organ damage

• Wrongful death

These injuries require long-term care and expensive medical treatment. Victims may lose the ability to work or care for themselves, creating financial and emotional strain.

Visit our personal injury overview page to see how we help clients recover physically, financially, and emotionally.

We Know How to Fight the Trucking Companies

Unlike ordinary car crashes, jackknife truck accidents involve federal regulations, multiple insurance policies, and aggressive corporate lawyers. Trucking companies act fast after an accident—often sending investigators to the scene within hours to reduce their liability.

At Northern Plains Justice, we fight back by:

• Preserving critical evidence before it disappears

• Obtaining the truck’s black box data

• Hiring expert witnesses in trucking safety and accident reconstruction

• Calculating the full extent of your losses, including future care costs and lost income

• Negotiating with insurers or taking your case to court if needed

What to Do After a Jackknife Accident

If you were involved in a jackknife accident, your actions in the hours and days following the crash are critical. Here’s what you should do:

• Seek immediate medical attention — even if you feel okay.

• Avoid speaking to insurance companies before consulting a lawyer.

• Gather any evidence you can, including photos, witness names, and police reports.

• Contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible.

We are ready to help you take the next step. 

Why Choose Northern Plains Justice?

Local knowledge of Sioux Falls highways and South Dakota trucking laws
Proven results in complex personal injury and truck accident claims
Responsive, compassionate service—we treat you like a person, not a case file
Contingency fees—you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you

See what past clients have said by browsing our testimonials.

Get the Justice You Deserve After a Sioux Falls Jackknife Truck Accident

You didn’t cause this crash—and you shouldn’t have to pay the price. Let us hold the trucking company accountable while you focus on healing. At Northern Plains Justice, LLP, we’ve helped countless South Dakotans get full and fair compensation after serious accidents. Now it’s your turn.

Call 605-306-4100 or schedule your free consultation today.
We proudly serve Sioux Falls and the surrounding areas.