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Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. Truck Accident Lawyer
Representing Victims of Knight-Swift Truck Accidents Nationwide
Collisions involving large freight carriers like Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. often lead to life-changing consequences.
With trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds, even a single mistake can result in catastrophic injury or death. For victims and their families, these crashes can bring overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, and a long road to recovery.
Knight-Swift is one of the largest trucking companies in the United States. The size of its fleet and the breadth of its operations increase its risk exposure on the road.
While the company has implemented extensive logistics systems and driver programs, its vehicles are still involved in hundreds of crashes every year. When that happens, trucking companies and insurers move quickly to protect their interests, leaving victims at a disadvantage without experienced legal help.
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we specialize in representing individuals hurt in commercial truck crashes.
We hold carriers like Knight-Swift accountable by conducting in-depth investigations, consulting industry experts, and aggressively pursuing maximum compensation. When you partner with a semi-truck accident attorney in Chicago, there are no upfront fees. We only get paid if you win.
About Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.: Safety & Accident History
Company Overview
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (USDOT Number: 428823) is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. The company was formed in 2017 by the merger of Knight Transportation and Swift Transportation, two major trucking firms.
Today, Knight-Swift is one of North America’s largest full truckload (FTL) carriers, operating a fleet of over 18,000 tractors and 58,000 trailers and employing more than 24,000 people.
Knight-Swift offers a range of services, including dedicated contract transportation, intermodal logistics, refrigerated freight, and cross-border hauling into Mexico and Canada.
With operations spanning all 48 contiguous states, the company has a vast presence on America’s highways, and with that comes a heightened risk of traffic collisions.
FMCSA Safety & Crash Data
According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Knight-Swift has reported the following in the 24 months immediately preceding the writing of this article:
- Total crashes: 170
- Injury crashes: 50
- Fatal trucking accidents: 5
- Tow-away crashes: 115
Inspection statistics, on the other hand, present a better picture:
- Vehicle out-of-service rate: 20.8% (slightly better than the national average of 22.26%)
- Driver out-of-service rate: 1.3% (well below the national average of 6.67%)
Despite favorable compliance scores, the company’s large scale contributes to a high number of crashes. Dozens of fatal and injury-causing collisions occur each year, affecting both motorists and Knight-Swift employees.
Common Causes of Knight-Swift Truck Accidents
Knight-Swift trucks travel millions of miles yearly, often under time pressure, weather challenges, and urban congestion. Accidents may be caused by:
Fatigue and Hours-of-Service (HOS) Violations
Even with electronic logging devices (ELDs) in place, drivers sometimes exceed federal limits on driving hours, especially in regions with tight delivery windows or limited rest facilities. Fatigue is a common factor in serious trucking crashes.
Equipment Failures or Deferred Maintenance
With thousands of vehicles in the fleet, proactive maintenance is essential. If inspection protocols are skipped or aging equipment is kept on the road too long, brake failures, tire blowouts, and lighting issues can occur.
Distracted Driving
Driver distraction from mobile devices, dispatch communications, or GPS systems continues to be a top contributor to truck crashes. A momentary lapse in attention can cause devastating consequences, especially at highway speeds.
Aggressive Driving and Speeding
Delivery pressure may encourage drivers to speed, make risky lane changes, or tailgate slower vehicles. These behaviors significantly increase the risk of rollovers, rear-end collisions, and jackknife incidents.
Cargo Shifting or Improper Loading
Though Knight-Swift handles many full-load shipments, issues can still arise from unbalanced or insecure cargo. This can destabilize trailers and lead to overturns or loss of control.
Lawsuits Involving Knight-Swift Transportation
Recent Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. Accident Lawsuits
Castillo v. Swift Transportation Services, LLC:
On August 3, 2020, Sandra Castillo filed a lawsuit in Connecticut state court against multiple Swift entities—Swift Transportation Services, Swift Transportation Company of Arizona, Swift Services Holdings, and Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings—after a motor vehicle accident in New York involving a Swift-operated tractor-trailer driven by Hector Hernandez.
The corporate defendants, all headquartered and domiciled in Arizona, were accused of causing injuries resulting in significant damages, with the amount in controversy exceeding $75,000.
These cases highlight ongoing concerns about how Knight-Swift Transportation operates its fleet and the potential safety risks that may come with it. Accidents involving their trucks have raised questions about the company’s practices and how they might contribute to serious injuries on the road.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a Knight-Swift truck, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal options. Our team can investigate the accident, look into whether safety rules were broken, and determine if the company—or another party—may be responsible for your injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Knight-Swift Truck Crash?
Trucking accidents often involve multiple parties, each potentially responsible for the crash. Liability may include:
- The truck driver, for negligence such as distracted driving, speeding, or impairment
- Knight-Swift, for failing to properly screen, train, or supervise drivers, or for maintaining unreasonable delivery demands
- Maintenance contractors, if faulty inspections or repairs contributed to the crash
- Freight brokers, for pairing unsafe drivers with cargo loads
- Parts manufacturers, if brake or steering components failed due to defects
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we conduct comprehensive investigations to determine fault, preserve evidence, and build a strong case.
Compensation Available for Knight-Swift Accident Victims
Victims of trucking accidents may be entitled to significant compensation. Damages can include:
- Medical expenses, from emergency care and surgery to rehab and long-term treatment.
- Lost income, including future earnings if a victim cannot return to work.
- Pain and suffering, including physical pain, emotional trauma, and loss of life quality.
- Property damage, including totaled vehicles or lost personal items.
- Wrongful death, covering funeral costs, and loss of companionship for surviving family members.
- Punitive damages, in cases of egregious misconduct or repeated safety violations.
Our attorneys work with medical professionals, economists, and accident reconstruction experts to calculate the full extent of your losses.
What to Do After a Knight-Swift Truck Accident
- Call 911 and request emergency assistance: Police reports and medical documentation are critical for your case.
- Seek immediate medical treatment: Some injuries may not be visible right away. Always get checked by a healthcare provider.
- Document the scene: Take photos of vehicle positions, road conditions, signage, injuries, and the truck’s license plates and DOT number.
- Collect contact information: Ask for witness names and phone numbers. Their statements can be valuable.
- Avoid speaking with the company’s insurer: Let your attorney handle any contact with Knight-Swift’s legal or insurance representatives.
- Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers: The earlier we get involved, the better we can preserve evidence and begin building your case.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a Knight-Swift Truck Accident Case?
We have a national reputation for excellence in trucking litigation and personal injury law. Our firm provides:
- Over $450 million recovered in verdicts and settlements
- Deep knowledge of FMCSA regulations and industry standards
- Nationwide resources to take on large corporate carriers
- No fees unless we recover compensation for you
We fight for the full recovery our clients deserve, and we don’t back down.
Get Legal Help After a Knight-Swift Transportation Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Knight-Swift truck crash, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll investigate your case, preserve critical evidence, and help you pursue full justice.
Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form to speak with a trusted Chicago truck crash attorney today.
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.