West Side Freeway Multiple-Vehicle Accident Injures Minor
A Sacramento multiple-vehicle accident involving a semi occurred recently on the West Side Freeway, which sent an injured minor to the hospital. The collision happened along the southbound side of I-5 at the Q Street off-ramp around 3:09 p.m. between three sedans and a semi. When officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived, they discovered all of the vehicles on the right-hand side of the highway.
Minor Transported to Hospital Following Multiple-Vehicle Accident
First responders with the Sacramento Fire Department assessed potential trauma in the crash and transported a minor to UC Davis Medical Center with undescribed injuries. An investigation is being conducted by the CHP to establish how the accident took place.
Traffic Accidents Involving Semis
When a multiple-vehicle accident includes a semi, serious injuries often occur. Semi-trucks are much larger than other vehicles on the road. This size difference can lead to more serious injuries in an accident involving a semi.
The large mass of the truck means it carries more momentum when colliding with other vehicles, leading to greater force upon impact. The sheer weight of a semi-truck can also crush or push smaller vehicles out of the way, leading to additional damage. Also, because semi-trucks are so large, it can be difficult for drivers to maneuver them quickly and precisely, leaving little time for a driver of a smaller vehicle to react in a potentially dangerous situation.
Types of Serious Injuries in an Accident Involving a Big Rig
All these factors lead to more serious injuries in a multiple-vehicle accident involving a semi, such as the following:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal trauma
- Chest injuries
- Amputations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Fatalities
Reasons for a Multiple-Vehicle Accident
It is important to take extra caution when sharing the roads with semi-trucks. It is also vital to be aware of common causes of accidents involving semis so that you can avoid them in the future. By being aware of the risks, you can significantly reduce your chance of being in an accident involving a semi-truck. These include:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Drug or alcohol use
- Speeding
- Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo
- Tailgating and other types of reckless driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance, especially brakes
- Company pressure to deliver goods faster
- Negligence in obeying federal and state regulations for hours of driving or rest breaks
Seek Medical Attention and Contact an Attorney
If you find yourself involved in an accident with a semi-truck, it is important to seek medical attention immediately if necessary, as well as contact an attorney who is experienced in dealing with accidents involving a big rig. An attorney can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve to cover any medical bills, lost wages and other costs associated with the accident.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a truck accident attorney in Sacramento. We offer free and friendly advice to those injured by negligent truck drivers or their companies at (916) 921-6400. To find out if you can receive compensation for your medical costs and other losses, you can also contact us long-distance from anywhere in California at (800) 404-5400. Additionally, there is a contact form available online for your convenience.
Our injury lawyers are proud to be members of the following associations, demonstrating their commitment to obtaining fair compensation for their clients:
Photo attribution: Image by Erich Westendarp from Pixabay
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