Truck Accident on Interstate 5 South of Elk Grove Boulevard
A big rig overturned on Interstate 5 in an area south of Elk Grove Boulevard on April 23. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the large truck was carrying sod. Traffic was diverted from northbound I-5 in the vicinity of the crash, and drivers were asked to choose a different route. According to reports from the accident scene, no injuries were reported.
Further Details of the Big Rig Accident
At the time of this report, it is uncertain why the crash happened. Authorities are still investigating the crash, and more details are expected at a later time. There is no indication that drunk or drug-related causes are involved.
Big Rig Rollovers
In any accident involving a large truck, passenger vehicle occupants are at a disadvantage. This is primarily due to the size and weight of the big rig. A big rig also has a greater risk of overturning because of the truck’s height and an altered center of gravity. If the trucker speeds or turns too quickly, the chance that a rollover will occur is high.
Unsecured Loads and Overturned Trucks
The trucking company and the driver are responsible for loading the big rig properly. A large truck has a certain load capacity, and exceeding that is dangerous. It is important for drivers to check the trucking industry standard for safe cargo securement. In addition, the driver should check their cargo repeatedly during the trip to ensure the load is stable. Excess movement can cause the truck to sway and rollover.
Other Causes of a Big Rig Rollover
Of course, cargo loading and securement is not the only cause of a big rig rollover. Some other frequently seen reasons for a truck rolling over are:
- Speeding: This is a common cause of a rollover accident. Trucks are more difficult to control, and traveling at a high speed, especially around a curve, can lead to a big rig rollover.
- Faulty brakes: A truck with faulty brakes leads to many rollover accidents. This makes it more difficult for the trucker to maintain control. If the issue with the brakes is due to faulty maintenance, then the trucking company might be liable. Alternately, if the brake is defective, the manufacturer can be responsible. This would lead to a product liability lawsuit.
- Low tire pressure: Maintaining adequate tire pressure is critical. If the trucker does not do this, the likelihood of a big rig accident is higher.
Roof Crush in a Trucking Rollover
Approximately 55 percent of all big rig driver fatalities occur due to roof crush. This is due to faults in the design of the structure that supports the roof. If the infrastructure is unable to support the weight of the vehicle after a rollover, the cab will crush in on the driver, leading to serious head and neck injuries and death.
What an Attorney Can Do for You
An experienced truck accident lawyer can provide the help and legal insight you need after a collision. To successfully resolve a big rig rollover collision, it is critical to gather pertinent information about the crash. Beyond questioning witnesses, reviewing the police report for mistakes, and obtaining video footage of the accident, our investigators look for liability. They perform accident reconstruction techniques and examine the roadway for signs of government negligence.
The investigators also examine the vehicle and trucker’s logs to see if proper maintenance was performed. We also look at the trucker’s driving record for accidents and determine if the trucking company followed federal standards. Since we insist that the truck is preserved for examination by our investigators, they are able to look to see if a manufacturing defect occurred.
Elk Grove Truck Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, an Elk Grove truck accident lawyer. Call me for free and friendly advice if you have been injured in a trucking accident. I can be reached at (915) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach me online.
I’ve helped residents of Elk Grove since 1982 receive the compensation they deserve in truck accidents, car crashes, and wrongful deaths.
Learn more about my firm using the links below:
Photo attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/semi-accident-crash-truck-2659736/
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