Accident on Northbound S.R. 99 Involves Big Rig and Motor Vehicle
A big rig collision with a motor vehicle caused an injury occurred in Elk Grove on November 11. The accident happened along northbound S.R. 99 just south of Elk Grove Boulevard at around 5:32 p.m. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said it involved a big rig and a Mercedes.
One Person Transported to Hospital Following Big Rig Collision
The caller who reported the collision said they were with the individual in the Mercedes and trying to get him out of his vehicle. When fire department first responders arrived, the patient was assessed and transported to a hospital. Moderate front-end damage was reported in the Mercedes, but no information about the big rig was released. The CHP is investigating to determine how the collision occurred.
Accidents Caused by a Big Rig Collision
A collision with a big rig can result in severe injuries, but the injured party may be compensated when the driver is at fault. Some of the most common reasons a big rig collision occurs include:
- Blind-spot accidents: All big rigs have blind spots around, especially along the trailer the cab is pulling. If the trucker doesn’t check carefully for vehicles along their side before changing lanes, it can result in a severe accident.
- Opioid or medication use: Truck drivers seldom drive drunk; however, some use medications to stay alert due to the long hours they spend on the road. This can lead to a big rig collision.
- Override/underride accidents: A speeding truck driver can cause an override accident, commonly resulting in injuries. A driver who stops suddenly can cause an underride collision, which is commonly fatal to individuals in the passenger vehicle.
- Wide turns: Many truck drivers experience problems making a turn because of the length of their vehicle. Because they have to turn wide to go around a corner, this can impact vehicles in the next lane.
- Speeding: Speeding by a truck driver is a significant concern because a big rig collision by a speeder can cause severe injuries to others. In many cases, the truck driver is speeding to make up for lost time or to perform a delivery faster.
- Jackknife collisions: In some cases, the trucker uses the wrong brakes, has a mechanical failure, shifts in the load, and other problems that can result in a jackknife accident. This occurs when the cab moves slower than the trailer, which causes it to swing around into traffic.
Obtaining Compensation After a Big Rig Collision
Because of the complexity of possible negligence in an accident with a big rig, enlisting the help of an injury lawyer is necessary to prove fault and get you the compensation you need. An investigation into the cause is necessary, which includes examining company records for signs of negligence, the electronic logging device in case the driver was falsifying records or cheating, and others. By doing so, the lawyer can determine if the driver was solely responsible or if the company that employs them was also at fault.
Elk Grove Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, and I am an Elk Grove truck accident lawyer. When a collision caused by a big rig causes your injuries, you can file a compensation claim. Contact us at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. We can review your case, answer any questions you might have, and tell you about options to recover damages. We can also be contacted online.
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Our team of injury lawyers has helped people in Northern California and Elk Grove obtain the compensation they deserve in truck accidents, car crashes, wrongful deaths, and more since 1982.
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