Accident on Del Paso Road Costs Life of Truck Driver
A traffic fatality involving the rollover of a big rig occurred in Natomas on December 16. The accident occurred sometime around 10:00 a.m. on Del Paso Road near Interstate 5, according to the incident report issued by the Sacramento Police Department. Apparently, the vehicle left the road for an unknown reason and ended up in a field.
Investigation Underway to Determine Cause of Traffic Fatality
The rollover left the vehicle completely upside down, which crushed the roof of the truck cab, killing the driver. The deceased truck driver was identified as Baljot Singh Badyal, age 35, and a Sacramento resident. An area road closure occurred for some time as an investigation into the cause of the traffic fatality was conducted.
Causes of a Big Rig Traffic Fatality
Accidents that involve only a big rig can occur for a variety of reasons. Some are a result of driver error such as talking on a cell phone or speeding, however, others can happen due to something outside of the trucker’s control such as:
- Another vehicle comes too close to the big rig, causing the trucker to swerve, which can end up causing a traffic fatality.
- Problems with the braking system can easily end up causing a fatal collision and account for about 32 percent of all crashes involving a big rig. Because of the complexity of the air brakes in a big rig, a lack of maintenance or regular inspection can lead to a traffic fatality. If the company that owns the rig is negligent, a wrongful death claim can be made against them by the family of the deceased or administrator of the estate.
- Unfamiliarity with the roadway can lead to a traffic fatality when it involves a big rig. Unfortunately, because of roadway accidents or because the driver is running late, they may take an alternate route. That unfamiliarity can lead to a big rig traffic fatality in some instances.
- Poor ramp design or lack of maintenance can lead to a big rig traffic fatality. Potholes, oil spills, poor signage and weakened guardrails can all lead to a big rig traffic fatality. Poor design of the ramp areas can also occur if curves are too sharp or lanes are too narrow. If the government entity in charge of design and maintenance is found to be responsible for a big rig traffic fatality, they can be held financially liable. However, because the statute of limitations for filing against a government entity is much shorter, enlisting the aid of an injury lawyer can be a good idea.
Filing a Claim for Wrongful Death
When a loved one dies because of negligence by an entity or other person, the family may wish to file a claim for wrongful death. Although it won’t alleviate their grief and sense of loss, it can help the family with closure and assist them in avoiding financial distress, especially if they depend on their loved one’s income. We can offer you a free, no-obligation review to tell you what you can recover in a wrongful death claim, review your case, answer your questions and tell you about options to recover damages.
Natomas Wrongful Death Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Natomas wrongful death lawyer. Losing a loved one is a tragic experience, especially if it was caused by someone else. Contact us for our compassionate, free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 if your family is interested in finding out about the possibility of filing a wrongful death claim because of your loss. You can contact us also at (800) 404-5400 or by messaging us online. We are always here for you in your time of need.
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Since 1982, our team of injury lawyers has successfully handled many cases that involve all kinds of traffic collisions, truck accidents, and wrongful deaths.
Photo attribution: Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay
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