A rollover or jackknife crash happens in a flash—but the devastation can last a lifetime. One moment you’re driving down I-75, I-94, or a rural Michigan highway… the next, a semi-truck loses control, tips sideways, or folds in half and sweeps across multiple lanes as if the road beneath it disappeared. These crashes unleash chaos—crushing vehicles, blocking traffic, and trapping innocent drivers with nowhere to go.

For Michigan victims, the aftermath is overwhelming. Rollover and jackknife collisions often leave behind catastrophic injuries, totaled cars, and medical emergencies that change life in an instant. Victims frequently suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, burns, or worse. Many also carry emotional trauma from the moment they saw an 80,000-pound commercial truck sliding straight toward them with no warning and no escape.

These crashes are not “accidents”—they are preventable tragedies often rooted in negligence. And the law backs victims. Michigan negligence law and federal trucking regulations give injured people powerful rights to hold reckless drivers, trucking companies, and anyone responsible fully accountable.

At Marko Law, we fight for those harmed by these violent collisions. We know the stakes. We know the law. And we never back down when a trucking company tries to dodge responsibility.

What Makes Rollover and Jackknife Crashes So Dangerous

Massive Impact Force

A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When that kind of weight tips over or swings sideways across lanes, the result is pure devastation. Smaller vehicles absorb the brunt of the force, causing severe injuries and widespread damage.

Chain-Reaction Collisions

Rollover and jackknife crashes often trigger multi-vehicle pileups. Debris scatters, fuel tanks rupture, secondary collisions erupt, and fires or chemical leaks can follow. What begins as one truck losing control can turn into a massive disaster.

Total Loss of Driver Control

Once a truck jackknifes, the cab and trailer no longer move as a single unit. They pivot independently, making the truck nearly impossible to steer or stop. In rollovers, the driver often has zero ability to correct the vehicle once the center of gravity shifts.

Cargo Shift Risks

When cargo is:

• Improperly loaded,
• Off-balance, or
• Not secured correctly,

the risk of rollover and jackknife increases sharply. 

High Rate of Severe and Fatal Injuries

Because of the force involved, these crashes often cause:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Complex fractures and crush injuries
• Burns and fire-related injuries
• Amputations
• Wrongful death

Who May Be Liable in a Rollover or Jackknife Crash

The Truck Driver

A truck driver may be liable for:

• Speeding or reckless driving
• Improper braking technique
• Distracted driving
• Driving while fatigued
• Violating FMCSA safety rules

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies frequently bear substantial responsibility. They may be liable for:

• Negligent hiring or failure to train drivers
• Forcing unrealistic schedules that encourage fatigue
• Pressuring drivers to cut corners or violate hours-of-service laws
• Failing to enforce safety protocols

Cargo Loaders or Shippers

Cargo plays a massive role in rollover and jackknife dynamics. These parties may be liable if they:

• Improperly secured loads
• Allowed off-balance or uneven cargo
• Overloaded the truck
• Failed to classify or pack cargo safely

Maintenance Contractors

If the truck or trailer wasn’t properly maintained, contractors may be to blame. Common failures include:

• Defective brakes
• Bald or blown tires
• Suspension problems
• Malfunctioning coupling systems

Manufacturers

Defective truck components can cause catastrophic failures. Manufacturers may be liable for:

• Defective brakes or brake systems
• Faulty tires
• Failed couplings or kingpins
• Malfunctions in rollover stability systems

Government Entities

Sometimes dangerous road conditions—poor signage, inadequate lighting, potholes, unmarked hazards, or negligent road maintenance—contribute to the crash. Claims involving government agencies must navigate Michigan’s governmental immunity rules, but liability is possible when conditions violate legal standards.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Rollover or Jackknife Crash

Seek Immediate Medical Care

Symptoms from traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, or soft-tissue damage may not appear right away. A full medical evaluation creates essential documentation for your claim and ensures your safety.

Call Law Enforcement and Obtain an Official Crash Report

A police report provides an independent account of the collision. It may include:

• Initial determinations of fault
• Statements from drivers and witnesses
• Roadway observations
• Diagram of the crash scene

Photograph the Scene

If you can do so safely, capture:

• Vehicle positions
• Skid marks and debris
• Damage to your vehicle
• Road conditions, weather, and lighting
• The overturned or jackknifed truck

Gather Witness Information

Witness statements can make or break a trucking case—especially when the trucking company tries to rewrite the narrative. Collect names, phone numbers, and any photos or video they captured.

Preserve Dashcam or Onboard Footage

If your vehicle has a dashcam, save the footage immediately. If you were in a commercial vehicle or rideshare, request that telematics or interior video be preserved.

Do Not Speak With Trucking Company Insurers

After a violent crash, trucking companies often deploy adjusters or corporate lawyers within hours. Their job is to protect the company—not you.
Decline recorded statements and never sign documents without your attorney.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Immediately

Rollover and jackknife cases involve rapidly disappearing evidence. Black box data can be overwritten. Logs can be altered. Vehicles can be repaired or scrapped.
Early legal intervention is essential to protect your rights.

How Marko Law Investigates Rollover & Jackknife Cases

Rapid Evidence Preservation

We act immediately to secure:

• Spoliation letters preventing evidence destruction
• ECM/black box downloads showing speed, braking, and steering input
• Driver logs and hours-of-service records
• Maintenance records and inspection histories

SAFER & SMS Review

We analyze federal safety data systems to uncover:

• Crash history
• Prior violations
• Maintenance patterns
• Poor safety scores
• Hours-of-service or braking-related violations

Accident Reconstruction

Our experts reconstruct the crash using physics-based modeling and scene analysis:

• Braking dynamics
• Trailer swing patterns
• Speed calculations
• Rollover trajectory
• Roadway geometry

Cargo Analysis

Improper load balance is a major cause of rollovers and jackknives. We investigate:

• Weight distribution
• Securement methods
• Loading procedures
• Shipper or broker negligence

Corporate Conduct Investigation

We uncover systemic failures, including:

• Hours-of-service violations
• Dispatch pressure to drive fatigued or in bad weather
• Negligent hiring practices
• Lack of proper training
• Known mechanical defects ignored by the company

Expert Testimony

To maximize your compensation, we work with:

• Medical experts to prove injury severity
• Vocational experts to calculate lost future earnings
• Mechanical engineers for component failure analysis
• Safety experts to testify on regulatory violations

Compensation Available for Rollover and Jackknife Crash Victims

Medical Bills (Past and Future)

Including:

• Emergency treatment
• Surgeries
• Hospitalization
• Physical therapy
• Specialist care
• Medications
• Long-term follow-up for brain and spinal injuries

Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care

Severe crash injuries often require:

• Ongoing rehabilitation
• Occupational therapy
• In-home care
• Assistive devices or mobility support

Lost Wages & Reduced Earning Capacity

If your injuries keep you from working—or permanently limit your career—compensation may include:

• Past lost income
• Loss of job opportunities
• Reduced earning ability
• Disability-related financial losses

Pain and Suffering

Rollover and jackknife crashes cause immense physical and emotional harm:

• Chronic pain
• Anxiety and PTSD
• Sleep disturbances
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Home Modifications or Mobility Equipment

Victims may need:

• Wheelchair ramps
• Lift systems
• Bathroom modifications
• Assistive mobility devices

Property Damage

Including repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other damaged personal property.

Wrongful Death Damages Under Michigan Law

Families who lose a loved one in a rollover or jackknife crash may seek:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering damages permitted by law

Loss of Consortium

This covers the loss of companionship, support, and relationship benefits suffered by spouses or family members due to severe injury.

Strength When It Matters Most

After a rollover or jackknife crash, the challenges feel enormous. You’re facing painful injuries, mounting bills, and trucking companies that mobilize teams of lawyers before you’ve even left the hospital. But you don’t have to take them on alone. You deserve an advocate who will stand with you, fight for you, and make sure your story is heard.

At Marko Law, we move fast to protect evidence, secure expert analysis, and hold negligent trucking companies fully accountable. Our team brings relentless advocacy, deep experience, and a fierce commitment to Michigan families harmed by catastrophic truck crashes. When powerful defendants push back, we push harder.

If you’ve been injured in a rollover or jackknife collision, now is the time to act. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin building the strong, evidence-driven case you deserve.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

Phone: +1-313-777-7777
Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
Website: https://www.markolaw.com/
Our Team: https://www.markolaw.com/staff