Accident on Eastbound I-80 Causes Injury in Truck Underride
An underride accident with a big rig occurred in Sacramento on September 28 that injured a sedan driver. The collision occurred around 3:42 in the afternoon along eastbound I-80 just west of the West El Camino Avenue entrance ramp, according to the accident report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). It was reported that a Nissan Altima was trapped under the trailer of a big rig.
Injury Reported in Underride Accident
First responders with the Sacramento Fire Department arrived to extricate the vehicle from underneath. They then transported a woman to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment. Authorities released no information on the extent of injuries suffered in the underride accident. The accident is being investigated to determine how the collision occurred.
Underride/Override Accidents
Override/underride accidents occur because of the difference in height between a motor vehicle and a larger car or truck. Since the front of most passenger vehicles is no more than 30 inches high and a tractor-trailer is much taller, the difference in heights makes it possible for a smaller vehicle to pass underneath. These accidents are usually caused by driver error.
Big Rigs and Underride Accidents
The negligent actions of a big rig driver can lead to an underride accident. These accidents often happen if the smaller vehicle driver is trapped from behind or on the side of the big rig. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and fatalities are common in underride accidents. Some of the causes include:
- The trucker suddenly applies the brakes without warning.
- The tractor or trailer experiences a tire blowout.
- The brake lights on the big rig are not working.
- The truck either lacks underride protection, or it is outdated or worn.
- The driver backs up without warning.
- The trucker cuts off a vehicle.
Big Rigs and Override Accidents
If a big rig rides over a smaller vehicle, the top is often sheared off, resulting in fatalities and serious injuries. Some of the reasons these accidents happen include:
- Falling asleep at the wheel or drowsy driving
- Poor truck maintenance
- Brake failure so the big rig cannot prevent the accident
- Rapid lane changes or other reckless behavior
- Tailgating or speeding
Investigating a Truck Accident
Because big rigs are subject to state and federal regulations, an accident investigation is necessary to uncover evidence that shows fault. Our investigators are experienced in finding the evidence required to support a client’s compensation claim. Some of the areas included in an investigation are:
- Checking the driver’s logbook or ELD to see if the regulations were followed and to check for speeding or other infractions
- Reviewing the police report for mistakes and talking to witnesses to the underride accident
- Checking maintenance records on the truck to see if it was maintained correctly and the underride guards aren’t out-of-date or damaged
- Looking for nearby cameras at road and traffic lights as well as businesses to see if the accident was captured on tape
- Performing accident reconstruction, which not only shows the positions of the vehicles but can indicate some types of negligence
- Reviewing the driving record of the driver for previous infractions
- Checking the company’s records to see if complaints have been filed over the number of hours worked, turnaround times, and maintenance of vehicles
Once the evidence is gathered, our lawyers build a strong case supporting our client’s claim for compensation. It is used either during insurance negotiations on the client’s behalf or is presented in civil court.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. If a big rig caused your injury, I have free and friendly advice to offer you. Contact me at (916) 921-6400 or from long-distance at (800) 404-5400. You can also reach me by completing the online form.
I belong to:
During the past 38 years, I’ve helped many people to obtain fair compensation for their traffic accidents, traumatic injuries caused by negligence, and cases that involve wrongful deaths.
The links below offer more information about my law firm:
Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/ambulance-architecture-building-business-263402/
:cd llo [cs 694]