October 11, 2025

A jackknife crash can change a life in seconds. On the Florida Turnpike near Fort Pierce, traffic moves fast, and heavy trucks are typical. When a trailer swings out and blocks lanes, cars have nowhere to go. The result can be a chain of impacts, serious injuries, and a long road to recovery. Many people feel overwhelmed after a semi-truck crash. Bills arrive. Cars need repairs. Insurance adjusters start calling. It’s hard to know what to do first or who to trust. That’s why this guide exists: clear steps, plain language, and answers to the most common questions. The Reyes Firm understands Florida trucking cases. From Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie to the wider Treasure Coast, the firm helps injured drivers protect their rights, secure medical care, and pursue full compensation. Below is a simple, step-by-step plan tailored to Turnpike jackknife crashes in St. Lucie County. What Is a Jackknife Crash and Why Does It Happen on the Turnpike A jackknife happens when a tractor and its trailer fold toward each other, like a pocketknife closing. On a high-speed road such as the Florida Turnpike, this often blocks multiple lanes at once. Common causes include sudden hard braking, slick pavement, speeding, following too closely, or poorly maintained brakes. Cargo that is too heavy or not balanced can also make a trailer swing out of control. Why does this matter near Fort Pierce? The Turnpike carries heavy commercial traffic that connects to I-95 and local interchanges. There are frequent lane changes, entry/exit ramps, and periods of fast traffic. If a truck driver follows too closely or brakes sharply, a jackknife can develop in a heartbeat. When that happens, smaller vehicles are exposed to side impacts, underride risks, and secondary collisions. Not every jackknife is “unavoidable.” A careful investigation can show whether the driver was speeding, distracted, fatigued, or breaking company rules. It can also reveal if the motor carrier ignored brake maintenance or pushed unsafe delivery schedules. These facts matter because they help prove who is responsible. What to Do Right After a Jackknife Truck Crash (Fort Pierce Checklist) Call 911 and ask for the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). Request the crash report number before you leave the scene. Get medical care now. Even if you feel “okay,” go to the ER or urgent care (for example, HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce). Some harm is delayed and may only become evident after a few hours or days. Document the scene. Take photos and videos of vehicles, skid marks, lane positions, debris, weather, and nearby construction. Capture the truck’s DOT numbers and license plates. Collect names and contacts. Get information for the truck driver, the motor carrier, witnesses, and any businesses with cameras facing the road. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer yet. You can share basic insurance details with the police and your insurer, but keep it short. Save everything. Keep medical records, tow bills, repair estimates, and any dashcam footage. Call The Reyes Firm at 833-4-BAD DAY before you sign any forms or accept money. “What should I do first after a jackknife crash?” Call 911, get medical care, and document the scene. Ask FHP for the crash report number. Avoid recorded statements to the other insurer. Then call a Fort Pierce truck accident lawyer to send preservation letters for black-box data, driver logs, and dashcam video. Fast action protects your claim. What Happened on the Florida Turnpike Date: August 12, 2025 • Location: Florida Turnpike near Fort Pierce (St. Lucie County) • Crash Type: Semi-truck U-turn → jackknife → multi-vehicle impact. According to news reports, a semi-truck attempted a U-turn at an “Official Use Only” median opening on Florida’s Turnpike near Fort Pierce. The truck jackknifed and came to rest on top of a northbound minivan, resulting in multiple fatalities. The Florida Highway Patrol initiated a traffic homicide investigation, and lanes were closed for hours. Approximate map location. Legal Takeaways “Official Use Only” turnarounds aren’t for public use; improper U-turns can be strong evidence of negligence. Act fast to preserve black-box (ECM/ELD) data, dashcam/traffic video, and maintenance records. Florida has a two-year deadline for most negligence claims; don’t wait to get legal help. What This Means for Fort Pierce Drivers Attorney Edward Reyes shares a brief message to the families affected by the Florida Turnpike jackknife crash near Fort Pierce and explains why commercial drivers owe a higher duty of care on high-speed corridors. Key takeaway: After a jackknife crash, call 911, get medical care, and speak with a lawyer before recorded statements so black-box (ECM/ELD) and video evidence are preserved. St. Lucie County Crash Statistics (FLHSMV, 2025 YTD) This local data helps explain why Florida Turnpike jackknife crashes near Fort Pierce are so serious. All crashes: 4,097 Fatalities from all crashes: 34 (across 30 fatal crashes) Injuries from all crashes: 2,379 (across 1,643 injury crashes) Motorcycle crashes: 100 · Motorcycle fatalities: 6 Pedestrian crashes: 90 · Pedestrian fatalities: 4 Bicycle crashes: 101 · Bicycle fatalities: 0 Hit-and-run crashes: 901 · Hit-and-run fatalities: 2 · Hit-and-run injuries: 143 Source: Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Crash Dashboard; data for 1/1/2025–10/02/2025, preliminary as of 10/04/2025. Florida Laws That Affect Your Jackknife Claim Florida law sets the rules for deadlines, fault, and insurance. Here are the big three: 1) Statute of Limitations – §95.11 Most negligence cases in Florida have a two-year filing deadline if the crash happened on or after March 24, 2023. Waiting can end your rights. Evidence fades. Vehicles get repaired or sold. Talk to a lawyer early to file on time and keep proof safe. 2) Modified Comparative Negligence – §768.81 Florida reduces compensation by your share of fault. If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover in most negligence cases (this change does not apply to medical malpractice). In truck cases, professional-driver standards, following distance, speed, and lane blocking are key to demonstrating that the truck is primarily at fault. 3) PIP/No-Fault Benefits