A trailer jackknife wreck involving a pickup truck is one of the most violent and unpredictable crashes on Charleston’s roads. When a trailer swings out of alignment with the tow vehicle and forms a sharp angle, the combined mass can sweep across multiple lanes in seconds, leaving drivers with little or no time to react. Whether it happens on Interstate 26 near the Lowcountry’s interchange system, on US Highway 17 through the Neck area, or on the connector bridges linking downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant, the results can be catastrophic for everyone in the path of that swinging trailer.

Table of Contents

• What a Trailer Jackknife Is and Why It Happens with Pickup Trucks
• South Carolina Trailer Laws That Govern Towing Safety
• Injuries Caused by Trailer Jackknife Crashes in Charleston
• Who Can Be Held Liable for a Trailer Jackknife Crash in South Carolina
• What Damages You Can Recover After a Jackknife Trailer Crash
• How Steinberg Law Firm Helps Victims of Trailer Jackknife Crashes in Charleston
• FAQs About Trailer Jackknife Pickup Truck Accident Injuries in Charleston, SC

What a Trailer Jackknife Is and Why It Happens with Pickup Trucks

A jackknife occurs when the trailer being towed swings toward the tow vehicle, forming a sharp “V” shape, like a folding pocket knife. This happens because the tow vehicle and trailer move as two separate units connected at a single pivot point. When the tow vehicle brakes hard or loses traction, the trailer can continue moving forward faster than the truck, pushing the rear of the pickup sideways and causing the driver to lose control of the entire combination.

Pickup trucks are particularly vulnerable to this type of crash because many drivers overestimate their truck’s towing capacity or underestimate how a loaded trailer changes the vehicle’s handling. A trailer that weighs too much for the tow vehicle, or one that is improperly loaded with too much weight at the rear, creates an unstable combination that jackknifes easily under braking or sharp steering inputs. Related issues such as trailer sway, improper trailer loading, and towing capacity overload all contribute to the conditions that lead to a jackknife.

Speeding is another major factor. In 2024, 120,724 large trucks were involved in crashes resulting in an injury, a 5.4% increase from 2023. Pickup trucks towing trailers share many of the same physics as large commercial trucks, and speed dramatically reduces the driver’s ability to correct a developing jackknife before it becomes a full loss of control.

Wet roads common to the Charleston area during heavy rain seasons also reduce tire traction, which is one of the primary triggers for jackknifing. Under South Carolina Code Section 56-5-1520, all drivers must operate at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for existing road conditions, including wet pavement. A driver towing a trailer who fails to slow down in poor conditions may be violating this statute, which can be used to establish negligence in a personal injury claim.

South Carolina Trailer Laws That Govern Towing Safety

South Carolina law places specific requirements on drivers who tow trailers, and violations of these rules often play a direct role in jackknife crashes. Understanding what the law requires helps injured victims identify where the responsible party fell short.

Under SC Code of Law Section 56-5-4510, brakes are required on any trailer coach or camp trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more. The trailer’s brakes must be able to stop the trailer when traveling at a speed of 20 mph within 40 feet. A trailer without a functioning brake system cannot slow itself when the tow vehicle brakes, which is a direct cause of jackknifing.

South Carolina law requires that the towing vehicle and the trailer are securely connected using a proper hitch or coupling device capable of handling the weight of the load. Trailers over 3,000 pounds must also be equipped with a secondary safety chain or cable to ensure the trailer does not detach if the hitch fails. A trailer that disconnects from the tow vehicle at highway speed becomes an unguided projectile, capable of crossing multiple lanes or striking vehicles head-on.

Trailers in South Carolina are required to have reflectors, tail, brake, and license plate lights. Without proper lighting, other drivers cannot see the trailer’s position or anticipate its movements, especially at night on roads like SC Highway 61 near Johns Island or on the Savannah Highway corridor.

Federal regulations under 49 CFR Part 571 also set standards for anti-jackknife systems on truck tractors, requiring a minimum articulation angle of 30 degrees between the tractor and trailer. While these federal standards apply primarily to commercial truck tractors, they reflect the broader safety standard that any towing vehicle and trailer combination must be equipped and operated to prevent uncontrolled jackknifing.

When a driver or their employer ignores these requirements, they create a dangerous condition for every other driver on the road. A pickup truck accident lawyer can review whether state and federal towing safety rules were violated in your specific crash.

Injuries Caused by Trailer Jackknife Crashes in Charleston

The injuries from a trailer jackknife wreck are often severe because of the size and weight of the swinging trailer. When a trailer sweeps across a lane on a road like the Don Holt Bridge or the Mark Clark Expressway, it can strike vehicles with tremendous lateral force, causing a different type of impact than a standard rear-end or head-on collision.

Traumatic brain injuries are common in these crashes. The sudden lateral impact can cause the brain to move inside the skull, resulting in contusions, hemorrhages, or diffuse axonal injury. Spinal cord injuries are also frequent, particularly when the trailer strikes the side of a vehicle and compresses the occupant’s torso. Victims can suffer partial or complete paralysis depending on where the spine is damaged.

Broken bones, including fractured ribs, pelvis, arms, and legs, occur when the vehicle is crushed or when the occupant is thrown against interior surfaces. Chest injuries from steering wheel impact or seatbelt compression can damage the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. Internal organ injuries, including damage to the liver, spleen, and kidneys, are often not visible at the scene but can become life-threatening within hours of the crash.

Soft tissue injuries, including torn ligaments and muscle damage in the neck and shoulders, are among the most common injuries in sideswipe and T-bone collisions, both of which can result from a jackknifing trailer. These injuries often require months of physical therapy and can lead to long-term pain and reduced range of motion.

The majority of deaths in large-truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles, accounting for 70% of fatalities, followed by truck occupants at 17%, and non-occupants, primarily pedestrians and bicyclists, at 13%. This pattern holds true for pickup truck and trailer crashes as well. The people in the smaller vehicles bear the greatest risk.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Trailer Jackknife Crash in South Carolina

Liability in a trailer jackknife wreck can extend beyond the driver of the pickup truck. South Carolina law allows injured victims to pursue claims against any party whose negligence contributed to the crash, and multiple parties are often responsible.

The driver of the pickup truck is the most obvious liable party. Negligent behavior such as speeding, aggressive driving, fatigued driving, or improper braking while towing a heavy trailer can all support a negligence claim. If the driver was operating the truck for a business, such as a landscaping company, a construction company, or a utility company, the employer may also be liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for their employees’ negligent acts performed during work.

The owner of the trailer may be liable if the trailer was defective, improperly maintained, or lacked required safety equipment such as functioning brakes or safety chains. If a trailer hitch failure contributed to the jackknife, the manufacturer of the hitch could face a product liability claim. Negligent maintenance and defective equipment are independent grounds for liability that exist alongside driver negligence.

A third-party loading company may also share fault if improper trailer loading shifted the trailer’s weight distribution and caused the instability that led to the jackknife. Related crash types, such as those involving improperly loaded trailers or overloaded trailers, often involve this same theory of liability.

South Carolina’s comparative negligence law, Section 15-38-15 of the Code of Laws, states that as long as the plaintiff is less than 51% responsible for a crash, he or she will be eligible for financial recovery from the defendant. The courts will reduce a compensatory award for a plaintiff who shares fault for a crash by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. This means that even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover damages as long as your share of fault does not reach 51%.

Identifying all liable parties and building a case that accurately assigns fault requires thorough investigation. A truck accident lawyer can obtain crash reports, black box data, trailer maintenance records, and witness statements to build that case on your behalf.

What Damages You Can Recover After a Jackknife Trailer Crash

South Carolina personal injury law allows injured victims to seek compensation for the full range of losses caused by the crash. These damages fall into two broad categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover the financial losses you can document. Medical bills are the most immediate, covering emergency room treatment, surgery, hospitalization, imaging, physical therapy, and prescription medication. Future medical expenses are also recoverable when your injuries require ongoing care, such as spinal cord injury rehabilitation or repeated surgeries. Lost wages cover the income you missed while recovering, and loss of future earning capacity covers situations where your injuries prevent you from returning to the same type of work.

Non-economic damages cover losses that do not come with a receipt. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability are all compensable under South Carolina law. In cases involving catastrophic injuries, such as paralysis or traumatic brain injury, non-economic damages can represent a substantial portion of the total recovery.

If a loved one was killed in a jackknife trailer crash, the family may have a wrongful death claim under South Carolina Code Section 15-51-10. This statute allows the personal representative of the deceased’s estate to recover damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the family’s grief and loss of companionship.

South Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the crash, under SC Code Section 15-3-530. Missing this deadline eliminates your right to sue. Contacting a car accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash protects your ability to file within that window.

How Steinberg Law Firm Helps Victims of Trailer Jackknife Crashes in Charleston

For nearly 100 years, the firm has stood by injury victims across the Lowcountry, including those hurt in complex towing and trailer crashes on Charleston’s highways, bridges, and local roads. Steinberg Law Firm handles every aspect of the claim, from the initial investigation to settlement negotiations and, when necessary, trial.

After a jackknife trailer crash, the evidence you need begins disappearing quickly. Skid marks fade, trailers are repaired or scrapped, and witnesses forget details. The attorneys at Steinberg Law Firm act fast to preserve that evidence, including obtaining the truck’s electronic data recorder, the trailer’s maintenance history, and any dashcam or surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras along corridors like US Highway 17 near the Ravenel Bridge or Interstate 26 near the North Charleston industrial areas.

Before you speak with any insurance company, including your own, talk with an attorney first. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize what they pay, and a statement made without legal guidance can be used to reduce your recovery. Steinberg Law Firm handles all communications with insurers on your behalf so that your words cannot be used against you.

The firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless they recover for you. Settlement proceeds are the source of payment in a successful personal injury case, not out-of-pocket costs to you. If you or someone you love was hurt in a trailer jackknife wreck in Charleston or anywhere in South Carolina, call Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.

A personal injury lawyer at Steinberg Law Firm is ready to review your case, answer your questions, and fight for the full compensation you deserve under South Carolina law.

FAQs About Trailer Jackknife Pickup Truck Accident Injuries in Charleston, SC

What causes a pickup truck to jackknife while towing a trailer?

A jackknife happens when the trailer pushes the rear of the tow vehicle sideways faster than the driver can correct. Common causes include hard braking at highway speed, trailer brakes that are not working, a trailer loaded with too much weight toward the rear, driving too fast for road conditions, and worn tires that lose traction. Pickup trucks are especially at risk when drivers tow trailers that exceed the vehicle’s rated towing capacity or when the trailer’s weight is not distributed correctly.

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for the jackknife crash?

Yes, under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence law, codified at SC Code Section 15-38-15, you can still recover damages as long as your share of fault is less than 51%. Your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a court finds you 20% at fault and awards $200,000 in total damages, you would receive $160,000. The key is keeping your assigned fault percentage below that 51% threshold, which is one reason strong legal representation matters from the start.

Who can be sued after a trailer jackknife wreck in South Carolina?

Potentially liable parties include the pickup truck driver, the driver’s employer if the truck was used for work, the trailer owner if the trailer lacked required safety equipment, a loading company if improper loading caused trailer instability, and the manufacturer of any defective towing component such as a faulty hitch or trailer brake system. South Carolina law allows claims against all parties whose negligence contributed to the crash, so it is important to investigate every possible source of liability before settling.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit after a trailer jackknife crash in South Carolina?

South Carolina’s general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the crash, under SC Code Section 15-3-530. If the claim involves a government-owned vehicle or a government employee, a shorter deadline and specific notice requirements apply under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act. Missing either deadline permanently bars your right to sue, regardless of how serious your injuries are. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the crash to protect your legal rights.

Should I speak to the insurance company after a trailer jackknife crash?

No. You should not speak with any insurance company, including your own, until you have consulted with an attorney. Insurance adjusters may ask questions designed to get you to say something that reduces the value of your claim or shifts fault onto you. Once you retain an attorney, the firm handles all communications with insurers on your behalf. This protects the integrity of your claim and prevents statements from being used against you during settlement negotiations or at trial.