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Last Modified on May 14, 2026
One of the most dangerous stretches of road in the Houston metro area is along I-10. When you or a loved one is involved in a jackknife accident involving a large commercial truck, you may wonder who is liable. In certain cases, the trucking company or maintenance providers can be held at fault for Houston jackknife truck accidents on I-10.
At Stevenson & Murray, our attorneys can review your accident and help prove negligence and liability.
What Is a Jackknife Accident in Houston?
In 2024, 72.4% of all American freight was transported using trucks, and in 2023, 528,177 large trucks were involved in serious accidents across the country. Texas itself is home to nearly 200,000 commercial truck drivers and leads the nation in this workforce. However, with this high number of commercial trucks comes an increased risk for accidents involving these vehicles, and I-10 is no stranger to deadly jackknife accidents.
A jackknife accident takes place when the trailer of a semi-truck swings out and away from the cab, creating a sharp angle that resembles the folding of a pocketknife. Typically, the trailer will lose traction while the cab continues forward. This causes the trailer to slide sideways across the roadway and causes severe accidents and possible death.
Jackknife accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. The driver might be speeding or not paying attention to the roadway around them. They might also be fatigued, as truck drivers are often held to strict schedules. The driver may also be following too closely behind the vehicle in front of them and be forced to slam on their brakes, causing an accident.
However, in many jackknife situations along I-10, the real culprit behind the accident isn’t the driver, but rather the negligent maintenance of the fleet vehicle. There are several factors that can contribute to the negligent maintenance of a commercial truck, all of which can help point to liability in a personal injury claim. These factors include:
- Cost-cutting. The trucking company that owns the vehicle may decide to prioritize costs over safety and only provide its fleet with minimal forms of maintenance as a way to save money. When a trucking company puts profits over people in this manner, they can likely be held at fault for any damages or loss of life.
- Lack of oversight. When maintenance protocols are overlooked or not enforced, this can lead to a lapse in safety procedures or inadequate fleet upkeep.
- Tight deadlines. Truck drivers and companies are often held to strict deadlines and tight schedules. In order to stick to these schedules, trucking companies may decide to cut time by ignoring proper inspections and truck maintenance.
- Inadequate training or negligent hiring. When a trucking company hires a maintenance worker with insufficient experience or does not properly train them, this could cause incorrect maintenance practices, or these individuals may fail to recognize the signs of a fleet mechanical issue.
How to Prove Liability and Maintenance Negligence
Negligent maintenance on commercial trucks can have horrific and even life-threatening consequences, especially in cases where that lack of proper maintenance leads to a jackknife accident on I-10. Being able to prove that negligent maintenance is at the root of your accident, and therefore, is the cause of your injuries, starts with a comprehensive investigation and collection of evidence.
In order to prove liability due to negligent maintenance, you and your jackknife truck accident attorney will need to establish the following:
- Duty of care. In Texas, trucking companies owe others a specific duty of care to hire safe and adequately trained drivers and to keep all trucks up-to-date in terms of safety and overall maintenance.
- Breach of duty. When truck maintenance is purposefully ignored or neglected by the trucking company or its employees, this is a direct breach of that duty of care. To show a breach of duty, your lawyer can collect and present evidence such as truck inspection records and maintenance records of the trucking company.
- Causation. Your lawyer will then need to prove a direct connection between the truck company’s negligence, or breach of duty, and the damages you have sustained.
- Damages. Finally, you must be able to establish proof that you have sustained these claimed damages. You can accomplish this by providing a number of forms of evidence, including your related medical records, your missing pay stubs, and any repair receipts you have collected.
FAQs
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Jackknife Accident?
Depending on the extent of your injuries and the circumstances of the accident, there are a number of forms of compensation you may be able to recover in a jackknife accident. These forms of compensation can include all related medical bills, lost wages, loss of your future earning capacity, and pain and suffering damages.
What Is Involved in a Truck Inspection in Texas?
In Texas, trucks are required to pass an annual inspection. During this annual inspection, there are a number of specific parts that must be checked. These parts include brakes, tires, mirrors, the tread depth of the tires, headlights, hazard lights, seatbelts, steering systems, gas caps, airbags, and the exhaust system.
Why Are Jackknife Accidents Dangerous?
Jackknife accidents are incredibly dangerous, and a fully-loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a driver loses control of their vehicle, this weight can generate an enormous amount of force, and the swinging trailer will act like a battering ram, slamming into smaller vehicles around it and causing severe and life-threatening damage.
What Should I Do After a Jackknife Accident on I-10?
Following a jackknife accident on I-10, there are certain actions that should be taken to protect your safety and your future claim. First, move to safety and call 911. If you can, you should document the scene by taking photos of both the positioning of the vehicles and your injuries. It is also imperative that you contact a lawyer as soon as you can.
Hire a Jackknife Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured along I-10 due to a jackknife accident, you need to hire a jackknife accident lawyer right away. Since 1987, the team at Stevenson & Murray has been assisting clients with claims after truck accidents. Call our offices today to learn more and schedule a consultation.
