Truck Cab Is a Total Loss After Accident on I-5
A big rig accident happened in Elk Grove along Interstate 5 on August 24 and caught fire after the driver lost control. The accident occurred during the early morning hours near Elk Grove Boulevard. The driver of the big rig got out safely, but the cab of the truck was a complete loss due to the fire. According to Caltrans, one lane along I-5 was shut down due to the crash and the presence of Sacramento Fire Department firefighters, who arrived to put out the blaze. Investigators with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are examining the incident to determine why it happened.
Dangers of a Big Rig Accident
Because big rigs and other large commercial vehicles are so much heavier and larger than passenger cars, when a collision between the two occurs, it can result in devastating injuries and fatalities. California comes in at second place in the number of traffic fatalities in accidents that involve a big commercial vehicle, with more than 3,000 injuries reported every year. Some of the major causes include:
- Fatigued driving: Truckers spend long hours on the road, which can lead to boredom and fatigue. Since their hours behind the wheel and rest breaks are regulated by the state and federal government, some drivers feel no other recourse than to keep going to make their deliveries.
- Blind spots: All big rigs and many commercial vehicles have blind spots, usually all the way around the vehicle and trailer if they are pulling one. In tractor-trailers, the blind spot on the left side is along the length of the trailer. However, on the right side, it’s not only along the trailer’s length but can include two to three lanes over. That makes it extremely dangerous for someone in a passenger vehicle to pace a tractor-trailer. If the driver forgets or doesn’t see that someone is in that blind spot and tries to change lanes, a serious big rig accident will occur.
- Improper or overloaded cargo: The danger of cargo being improperly loaded or overloaded means that if the trucker goes around a sharp curve or downhill too fast, the cargo can shift. When it shifts, it increases the risk of a rollover, which can have devastating consequences if other vehicles are nearby.
- Speeding: A speeding trucker is like a runaway train. The driver has less control and cannot stop quickly, which can cause an override accident. Similarly, if the trucker slams on the brakes, it can cause another vehicle to pass underneath it, which is called an underride accident. This type of big rig accident is often fatal.
- Unqualified drivers: The shortage of truck drivers has been ongoing for the past few years. However, companies that ship goods by truck still have to get their products delivered. In some cases, the company may hire truckers who are novices or lack sufficient experience to safely handle a big rig, which can lead to an accident.
- Lack of maintenance: All tractor-trailers have to be inspected each time they go out on the road, and regular maintenance has to be performed to keep them in top condition. Unfortunately, a high number of big rig accidents occur due to problems with the brakes or tires, for which the independent operator or company may be held liable.
Elk Grove Truck Accident Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I am an Elk Grove truck accident lawyer. A collision with a big rig can cause devastating injuries. If you or a loved one was injured in a collision caused by a negligent trucker, call us at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. We can answer your questions, tell you whether you have a case and what options are available to obtain compensation. You can contact us online also.
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Since 1982, we’ve assisted Elk Grove residents in getting the compensation they deserve in trucking collisions, all varieties of traffic accidents, wrongful deaths, and other personal injury cases.
Photo attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/truck-semi-truck-semi-truck-desert-1499377/
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