An I-5 Accident in Sacramento Causes Multiple Injuries and a Fatality
One driver died, and others suffered injuries on September 8 in Sacramento in a multiple-vehicle accident along Interstate 5. The nine-vehicle accident happened at the Pocket-Greenhaven area around 5:00 p.m. Officers with the South Sacramento office of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that it appeared that a tractor-trailer, which was hauling plywood, plowed into the rear of a BMW and a Chrysler as well as a number of other vehicles. Officer Jim Young of the CHP said that the collision shut down the southbound lanes close to the exit for Florin Road.
Fatality and Injuries in Multiple-Vehicle Accident
Officer Young reported that the Chrysler driver, 39-year-old Joel David Broussard of Elk Grove, died at the accident scene. A GoFundMe page was created on behalf of Mr. Joel Broussard and his family to help pay for his final resting expenses.
At least three other people were reported as injured. The driver of the big rig was unharmed. One witness to the major casualty collision said that a driver was recklessly speeding before the accident occurred. However, investigators are unsure whether that vehicle was involved in the multiple-vehicle accident involving the big rig.
Accident Under Investigation
The incident is under investigation by the CHP to determine what happened. Neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to contribute to the multiple-vehicle accident.
Traffic Detoured for Around Five Hours
Because of the accident’s magnitude, motorists faced traffic delays and were routed off the highway at Florin, where back-ups were reported for several miles. The accident site was cleared, and traffic once again began to flow around 10:00 p.m.
Losing a Loved One in a Multiple-Vehicle Accident
It is disastrous to lose a loved one suddenly. It is worse when that loss is due to another’s negligence. The family strives to understand how this could happen and often seek justice for their loved one’s unnecessary demise. Our firm tries to help grieving clients obtain that justice by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. The defendant is held liable and forced to pay for the financial damages the family faces.
While this will never bring back their loved one, it can relieve the stress the family feels when trying to make ends meet. This can range from funeral expenses to paying the mortgage or rent to helping a child meet their goals. No one should be able to take the love and support the deceased provided without a penalty.
Multiple-Vehicle Accidents
Multiple-vehicle accidents often happen on high-capacity roads such as freeways where the speed limit is increased. This accounts for the deadliness of this type of crash. A big rig that is speeding on a crowded highway can initiate a multiple car crash. Due to the size and momentum of a truck, other vehicles are often involved. This can be catastrophic for occupants of passenger vehicles, leading to serious injuries or fatalities.
Initiating a Multiple-Vehicle Accident
Many multiple-vehicle crashes are caused by driving too close to a lead vehicle. For instance, a trucker who is speeding on a highway may approach a passenger car too closely and be unable to stop in time to avoid a rear-end collision. Due to the force of impact, the passenger vehicle may strike other vehicles, which hit adjacent vehicles. Additionally, the truck may continue to move forward, crashing into more cars.
Causes of a Multiple-Vehicle Accident
There is a myriad of reasons for a truck accident on a highway. Some of the most common are:
- Speeding: A driver traveling above the speed limit can suddenly lose control of his or her vehicle. This limits the speeding driver’s ability to avoid a collision. Besides, truckers are unable to stop in the same way that passenger vehicle drivers can. Instead, they must slowly come to a stop to keep from jackknifing.
- Improper brake maintenance: Brakes on a tractor-trailer are much different than those on passenger vehicles. Trucks use multiple sets of brakes, and lack of care can lead to a deadly accident. An accident caused by a lack of maintenance can justify a lawsuit against the trucker or the trucking company.
- Defective brakes: At speeds above highway limits, faulty brakes on a truck can lead to a horrific situation due to the big rig’s weight and speed. A product liability claim can be filed against the manufacturer.
- Inclement weather: All vehicles should adjust their speed when driving in inclement weather. This is especially true for truckers. When this is not done, the truck can hit the car in front, precipitating a multiple-vehicle accident.
- Unsecured loads: When a truck’s cargo is not correctly secured, it can shift within the trailer. When this occurs in a speeding truck, the driver may lose control over their vehicle.
- Impaired trucker: This can be due to illicit drugs, alcohol, prescription medications, or over the counter drugs.
- Inexperienced trucker: When a trucking company hires an inexperienced trucker or one who has had serious traffic infractions in the past, they are putting everyone in danger. The trucking company can be held liable for this oversight.
Investigating a Multiple-Vehicle Accident
At our firm, we know the importance of sending our investigative team to the accident scene as soon as possible. This ensures that evidence will not be lost or destroyed. Some of the ways we search for negligence are:
- Our investigators speak to witnesses who saw the accident happen.
- They obtain video footage from witnesses, traffic surveillance cameras, or other sources.
- We examine the truck for defective brakes or lack of maintenance.
- Our investigators review the police report, which is used during negotiations with the insurer or civil court, for mistakes.
- Our investigators check the trucker’s record for serious traffic infractions.
- We also check the trucker’s logs to see whether the driver was allowed to rest. Some trucking companies push their drivers to make deliveries in the shortest amount of time.
- Our firm also looks to see if the truck’s logs show if repairs were made on any malfunctioning or worn part.
The information gathered during our investigation is used by the legal team to build a strong case for our clients.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. If you were hurt in a truck accident, you need the insight an attorney can provide. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also use our convenient contact form to reach me.
I’ve helped numerous residents of Sacramento obtain the compensation they deserve in traffic accidents, wrongful deaths, and other traumas.
I am proud to be a member of the organizations listed below:
Learn more about my practice by visiting the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/highway-jam-traffic-pkw-autos-1761825/
:cd llo [cs 1,169]