Call us for a free consultation
Call us for a free consultation
A jackknifing tractor-trailer can turn a routine drive into a multi-vehicle crash in seconds. As the trailer swings sideways across traffic, nearby drivers may have little time or space to avoid a collision. On busy routes such as the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), I-93, and the ramps near the Ted Williams Tunnel, these crashes can cause serious injuries and leave victims with questions about what caused the accident and who may be responsible.
At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., Boston truck accident attorney Dino M. Colucci represents people injured in jackknife truck accidents and other serious commercial truck crashes. Our team investigates how the jackknife occurred and identifies the parties that may be responsible. We also handle communications with insurers and pursue compensation for injuries and losses caused by the crash.
This page covers the common causes of jackknife crashes, liability, injuries, applicable trucking laws, filing deadlines, compensation, and steps to take after an accident.
If you were injured in a jackknife truck accident, Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. can help you pursue compensation from the responsible parties. Call (617) 958-3807 for a free consultation.
Every Injury Case Deserves Personal Attention
Confidential Consultation with Experienced Trial Attorney
Recent Case results
Serving Clients Throughout
Massachusetts,
New England, and
Across the United States
When the stakes are high, put a proven personal injury law firm on your side.
Very happy with the care, attention and service I received from everyone at Colucci Colucci & Marcus at Law. From day one, everyone was kind, professional and outstanding advocates for me during a very stressful time in my life. I am very happy with the settlement I received. Stephanie & Junyan were kind…
Darin is a great lawyer, works with his clients, and goes all out for everything they can get. Above that, he has the best assistant, Allison, she is always there to help when Darin is doing his outside work. I will recommend this agency to get you everything you deserve…
Professional, Honest, and Responsive
I cannot recommend Attorney Matt Marcus enough for anyone seeking estate planning services. What truly set him apart was his professional integrity, right from the very start…
Every Injury Case Deserves Personal Attention
Confidential Consultation with Experienced Trial Attorney
Jackknife truck accidents often result from several factors that cause the driver to lose control of the tractor or trailer. Speed, braking problems, vehicle load, equipment condition, and reduced road traction can all contribute. Investigators examine these factors along with maintenance records and vehicle data to determine what led to the crash.
Braking problems can cause the tractor or trailer wheels to lose traction. Worn or contaminated brake components, improper adjustment, air-system defects, and ABS problems can lead to wheel lockup and loss of control. Brake inspections and maintenance records can help determine if an equipment problem contributed to the jackknife.
A tractor-trailer becomes harder to control when traveling too fast for a curve or its current load. Empty and lightly loaded trailers have less weight over the axles, which can make the wheels more prone to losing traction during hard braking. On curved ramps along the Southeast Expressway and Massachusetts Turnpike, excessive speed can cause the trailer to swing sideways.
Snow, ice, heavy rain, and other hazardous conditions reduce traction and make sudden braking or steering more dangerous. Under 49 CFR § 392.14, commercial drivers must use extreme caution when hazardous conditions affect traction or visibility, reduce their speed, and stop operating when conditions become sufficiently dangerous.
Key Takeaway: Speed, braking problems, equipment condition, vehicle load, and reduced traction can each contribute to a jackknife crash, and more than one factor can be involved.
Identifying the cause of a jackknife is an important step in determining who is responsible for the collision. If you were injured in a Boston jackknife truck accident, call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 for a free consultation.
I cannot express enough gratitude for the outstanding representation and compassion I received from Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, especially Darin Colucci. From the very first conversation, Darin made me feel like more than just a client—he treated me like family. Navigating the aftermath of my accident was one of the most challenging times of my life…
When a tractor-trailer jackknifes, the trailer can swing across several lanes and block much of the roadway. Drivers approaching at highway speeds often have little time to brake, change lanes, or avoid the truck, increasing the risk of multiple collisions.
Vehicles can strike the side of the trailer, collide with other vehicles while trying to avoid it, or become involved in a chain-reaction crash. Underride collisions are especially dangerous because part of a passenger vehicle can travel beneath the trailer, exposing occupants to severe impact forces. On heavily traveled routes such as I-93 and the Massachusetts Turnpike, one jackknife can involve several vehicles across multiple lanes.
These crashes can also create disputes over how each collision occurred and whether another driver contributed to the impact. Crash reconstruction can help establish the trailer’s path, vehicle speeds, sight distances, and the amount of time drivers had to react. Preserving this evidence is especially important when several injured people and insurance claims are involved.
If you were hurt in a jackknife crash, our attorneys can handle the insurance claim and protect your interests throughout the process. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 for a free consultation.
Your Recovery Starts With One Call
Talk Directly with a Seasoned Attorney About Your Case
Exceptional firm! They are excellent in all the areas of law that they practice. They did an amazing job assisting my parents with their affairs in their elder years and are incredible personal injury attorneys. Our family has been using them for almost 20 years now and it’s proven to have been the best decision we ever made…
Your Family's Future Depends on the Right Attorney
30 Years of Proven Results in Boston’s Most Serious Injury Cases
Jackknife crashes can cause serious injuries when a tractor-trailer strikes a smaller vehicle, sweeps across traffic, or triggers a multi-vehicle collision. Victims with severe trauma can require emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
Head trauma can result from a direct impact, sudden movement inside the vehicle, or roof intrusion during an underride crash. Injuries include concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries that affect memory, movement, or other functions. Spinal injuries range from herniated discs to spinal cord damage that can cause partial or complete paralysis and require long-term care.
A vehicle caught beneath a trailer or pinned against another vehicle or barrier can expose occupants to significant crushing forces. These collisions can cause multiple fractures, internal organ damage, severe soft-tissue injuries, and permanent scarring or disfigurement. Some injuries result in amputation or require multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
Fatal jackknife crashes can also give rise to a wrongful death claim. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 229, Section 2, the personal representative of the estate can seek damages that include lost income and services, loss of companionship and guidance, and funeral and burial expenses. Punitive damages are available when the death resulted from malicious, willful, wanton, or reckless conduct or gross negligence.
Key Takeaway: Jackknife crashes can cause brain and spinal injuries, fractures, internal injuries, permanent disabilities, and fatalities that require substantial medical care or affect a family for years.
The effects of a serious jackknife crash can extend well beyond the initial medical treatment. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 for a free consultation about pursuing compensation for your injuries and related losses.
More than one party can be responsible for a jackknife crash. Liability depends on what caused the truck to lose control and who was responsible for the driving, maintenance, loading, or equipment involved.
The truck driver can be liable for speeding, following too closely, braking improperly, driving while fatigued, or failing to adjust to hazardous road conditions. Hours-of-service records and electronic logging device data can establish the driver’s duty status and driving time. ECM, event data, and other onboard systems can provide additional information about speed, braking, and vehicle operation before the crash.
A trucking company can be responsible for the actions of a driver operating within the scope of employment, as well as its own negligent practices. These can include inadequate hiring or training, unsafe delivery schedules, and failure to inspect or maintain its vehicles. If improper cargo loading contributed to the jackknife, the shipper or loading contractor can also face liability depending on who controlled the loading process.
A maintenance company can be liable when improper repairs or servicing contribute to a brake, tire, or other equipment failure. A manufacturer can also be responsible when a defective component contributes to the truck losing control. Maintenance records, damaged components, and onboard vehicle data can help establish how an equipment failure contributed to the crash.
Truck accident claims involving drivers, carriers, and outside companies can become complicated quickly. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 to discuss your jackknife accident claim.
Dino M. Colucci is the founding partner and lead trial counsel at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. He has represented clients in personal injury and civil litigation since 1988, including commercial trucking accidents, motor vehicle crashes, product liability, medical malpractice, and other serious injury cases.
Dino earned his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School after graduating from Tufts University. He has been selected as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer annually since 2012, holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. His trucking case results include a $2.5 million wrongful death settlement against a worldwide trucking company.
As managing partner of Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., Darin Colucci handles personal injury and civil litigation matters involving motor vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer liability, product liability, construction accidents, and other serious injury claims. His experience includes significant settlements in wrongful death and complex litigation matters.
Darin graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School, where he served as a staff member and editor of the Suffolk University Law Review. His professional recognition includes selection as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer annually since 2017 and recognition by The National Trial Lawyers as one of the country’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
Matthew Marcus is a partner at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. His practice centers on estate planning and elder law, with additional experience in disability law, mental health law, and guardianship matters. He has also served as an expert witness in the Massachusetts Superior Court.
Matthew earned his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and an LL.M. in Taxation from the Boston University School of Law. He has been selected as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer annually since 2006 and previously served as co-chair of the Boston Bar Association’s Elder Law Committee and as a Hearing Officer for the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers.
Learn more
Massachusetts law and federal trucking regulations both play a role in jackknife accident claims. State law addresses issues such as crash reporting and negligence, while federal regulations establish safety requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers.
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 26, a driver involved in a crash that causes injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage must submit a written report to the Registry of Motor Vehicles within five days and send a copy to the police department with jurisdiction over the crash location. The reporting period is suspended while a person is physically incapable of filing the report. Failure to comply can result in license suspension or revocation.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations address areas such as brake maintenance, hours of service, cargo securement, driver qualifications, and operation in hazardous conditions. When a violation contributes to a jackknife crash, it can serve as evidence of negligence under Massachusetts law. Inspection records, driver logs, maintenance documents, and dispatch records can help establish whether the driver or carrier failed to comply with an applicable safety requirement.
Key Takeaway: Massachusetts law sets specific reporting requirements after a crash, while federal safety regulations can provide important evidence when determining negligence in a jackknife accident claim.
The rules that apply to a truck crash can influence how fault is established and what records become important. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 to speak with a Boston truck accident attorney.
After a jackknife truck accident, get medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries do not seem serious at first. Some brain, internal, and soft-tissue injuries are not immediately apparent, and prompt treatment creates a medical record connecting your injuries to the crash.
When you are physically able, take these additional steps:
The steps you take after a truck accident can affect your ability to document your injuries and protect your claim. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 for a free consultation before dealing with the trucking company’s insurer.
In Massachusetts, you have three years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260, Section 2A. Filing after the statute of limitations expires can result in dismissal unless an exception or tolling rule extends the deadline.
Wrongful death claims have a separate three-year deadline under Chapter 229, Section 2. The period runs from the date of death or from the date the personal representative knew or should have known the factual basis for the claim. Other deadlines can apply in specific cases, including a two-year presentment requirement for claims against public employers under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act.
Deadline | What It Requires | Authority |
5 days after the crash | File the required crash report with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and local police | M.G.L. c. 90, § 26 |
As soon as practicable | Preserve truck data, maintenance records, and other relevant evidence | No single statutory deadline |
3 years from the crash date | File a personal injury lawsuit | M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A |
3 years from the date of death or discovery of the factual basis for the claim | File a wrongful death action through the estate’s personal representative | M.G.L. c. 229, § 2 |
Key Takeaway: The standard deadline for a Massachusetts truck accident lawsuit is three years, but other reporting, notice, and preservation deadlines can arise much sooner.
Deadlines can differ depending on the parties involved and the type of claim being pursued. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 to speak with a Boston truck accident attorney before an applicable deadline passes.
Compensation after a jackknife crash depends on the financial and personal losses caused by your injuries. A claim can account for both expenses you have already incurred and future losses supported by medical, employment, and other evidence.
Recoverable damages can include past and future medical expenses, surgery and rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and the cost of household or attendant care. Compensation can also cover pain and suffering, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, a spouse, parent, or child can pursue a separate claim for loss of consortium.
The value of a claim depends on the severity and long-term effects of the injuries, the evidence establishing liability, and the available insurance coverage. Medical records, documentation of lost income, and evidence of future treatment needs help establish the extent of these losses.
Key Takeaway: Compensation in a jackknife accident claim can address both the immediate costs of an injury and its long-term financial and personal effects.
Our attorneys can document the full extent of your losses and seek the compensation available under Massachusetts law. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 for a free consultation.
Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 231, Section 85. You can recover compensation if your share of fault is not greater than the combined fault of the defendants. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, so a $500,000 award would be reduced to $400,000 if you were found 20 percent responsible.
In a jackknife crash, an insurer can argue that you contributed to the collision by following too closely, driving too fast for conditions, or failing to react in time. The defense has the burden of proving your comparative negligence. Evidence such as vehicle speeds, sight distances, and available reaction time can help determine whether you had a reasonable opportunity to avoid the trailer as it crossed your lane.
Do not let an insurer’s allegations about your driving determine the value of your claim without a closer look at the evidence. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 for a free consultation.
Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. represents people injured in jackknife and tractor-trailer crashes throughout Boston. We handle cases arising on major routes such as the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), I-93, the Southeast Expressway, Route 1, the Tobin Bridge approaches, the Ted Williams Tunnel, as well as crashes in Downtown Boston, the Seaport, South Boston, Back Bay, the North End, Charlestown, East Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Brighton, Allston, Hyde Park, and West Roxbury.
Our team also handles commercial truck accident cases across Massachusetts, including Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, Plymouth, and Worcester counties.
I had a wonderful experience with Dino and his entire team from CCM when I was involved in an accident while cycling at fault of a motor vehicle driver resulting in multiple injuries. Dino was compassionate and actionable when we first got in touch, and throughout the entire settlement process always made himself available for any questions I had…
An uninsured motorist struck me from behind at the end of my driveway while I was shoveling. And was seriously injured. My case was handled with the highest expertise, support and with excellent customer service. I did not expect to have it settled so quickly and was pleasantly surprised with the results. I highly recommend this group…
After a jackknife crash, questions about medical bills, lost income, insurance coverage, and the claims process can arise quickly. A truck accident attorney can handle communications with the trucking company and its insurer while addressing the legal issues involved in your claim.
Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. handles jackknife truck accident claims involving braking failures, unsafe speeds, driver fatigue, cargo issues, and other factors that can cause a tractor-trailer to lose control. Our attorneys examine driver logs, onboard vehicle data, maintenance and inspection records, and trucking company records to establish what caused the crash and who can be held responsible.
Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 for a free consultation. Visit our Boston office at 31 Milk Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02109 to discuss your truck accident claim.
A jackknife truck accident occurs when a tractor-trailer folds at the coupling point, causing the trailer to swing outward at an angle to the cab. This can happen when the tractor or trailer loses traction during braking or turning. As the trailer swings across the roadway, it can block multiple lanes and strike nearby vehicles.
No. A jackknife does not automatically establish that the truck driver was negligent. Responsibility depends on what caused the truck to lose control and can involve the driver, trucking company, maintenance provider, cargo loader, parts manufacturer, or more than one party.
Seek medical attention, report the crash to police, and document the scene if you can do so safely. Photograph the truck’s position, road conditions, vehicle damage, and identifying information for the carrier, and file the required Massachusetts crash report within five days if the reporting requirements apply.
The value of a jackknife accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses and future treatment, lost income or earning capacity, liability evidence, and available insurance coverage. The long-term effects of your injuries and the strength of the evidence supporting your losses also affect the amount of compensation you can pursue.
You can still recover compensation in Massachusetts if your share of fault is not greater than the combined fault of the parties you are seeking damages from. Your compensation is reduced according to your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent responsible, your award is reduced by 20 percent.
Very happy with the care, attention and service I received from everyone at Colucci Colucci & Marcus at Law. From day one, everyone was kind, professional and outstanding advocates for me during a very stressful time in my life. I am very happy with the settlement I received. Stephanie & Junyan were kind…
Darin is a great lawyer, works with his clients, and goes all out for everything they can get. Above that, he has the best assistant, Allison, she is always there to help when Darin is doing his outside work. I will recommend this agency to get you everything you deserve…
Professional, Honest, and Responsive
I cannot recommend Attorney Matt Marcus enough for anyone seeking estate planning services. What truly set him apart was his professional integrity, right from the very start…