Chain-Reaction Accident Occurs on I-80 When a Big Rig Strikes a Truck
A January 16 multiple-vehicle crash in Vacaville caused a chain reaction that involved a big rig, several sedans, and a truck. The accident happened around 1:45 p.m. along I-80 near the on-ramp for Allison Drive. Initially, the accident was reported as a jackknifed tractor-trailer. However, an officer with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said that the big rig was sideways and had not jackknifed. According to the officer, the truck driver needed additional room to turn the big rig and get it off the roadway.
Details of the Multiple-Vehicle Crash
According to the report about the multiple-vehicle crash, the big rig hit a white truck, and this initiated the chain-reaction accident that involved a Toyota Prius and hybrid vehicle. The Prius was completely destroyed in the crash. A traffic alert was issued around 2:00 p.m. to warn local motorists about the accident.
Location of Accident Causes Traffic Slow Down
The lanes were cleared for traffic several hours later. However, since the collision happened near the Vacaville Premium Outlets, where traffic is normally heavy, it stayed backed up. This problem was expected to continue until closing time. Minor injuries were reported, and two patients were transported to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center for additional evaluation and treatment.
How an Accident Involving a Big Rig Is More Complicated
So you’ve been injured in a collision caused by a big rig. First of all, it has to be determined whether the driver or company that employs that trucker is responsible. In some cases, a trucker is an independent operator and owns their own vehicle. In others, a trucking company owns the vehicle and employs the driver.
All large commercial vehicles must abide by federal and state regulations, which dictate the hours the drivers can be on the road and mandate their rest breaks. In addition, the vehicles must be maintained and inspected every time they go out on the road. Failure to do so or falsifying those records can lead to a multiple-vehicle crash. These are some reasons why having a truck accident lawyer handle your claim can help you get the compensation you deserve.
How a Big Rig Can Cause a Multiple-Vehicle Crash
Collisions with a big rig often result in serious trauma to those in smaller vehicles, and a multiple-vehicle crash involving one isn’t uncommon. This is directly related to a big rig’s much larger size and weight. Tractor-trailers also handle differently than smaller vehicles, which can make them a danger to others sharing the roadway. Some of the most common causes of an accident involving a big rig include:
- Underride/override collisions: An underride or override accident with a big rig often turns into a multiple-vehicle crash. In addition, when a car is overridden by a big truck or slides underneath, fatalities are common.
- Poor maintenance: Bad brakes are the most common cause of a big rig accident. The company, driver or both may be held liable for accident injuries.
- Jackknife accidents: A jackknife happens when the trailer being pulled moves faster than the cab pulling it. This causes the trailer to swing around to one side, which can cause a multiple-vehicle accident.
- Overloading a big rig: When a trailer is overloaded or poorly packed, it can result in a rollover, impacting other nearby cars.
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Vacaville Truck Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Vacaville truck accident lawyer. Big rig collisions can cause severe injuries to those in smaller passenger vehicles. You can call us for free and friendly advice about whether you can place a compensation claim at (707) 564-1900. We can also be reached at (800) 404-5400 or by sending us a message online.
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Photo attribution: Image by Denise McQuillen from Pixabay
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