An I-5 Accident Involving Overturned Big Rig Causes Massive Back Up
A big rig overturned along Interstate 5 in Woodland, which shut down one of the entrance ramps for hours. The crash occurred around 1:25 in the morning at the County Road 102 entrance ramp. Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Woodland Police Department, and Yolo County Fire Department arrived at the scene to offer assistance.
Weather Prevents Removal of Big Rig
The lanes of the entrance ramp were blocked, and an oil leak was reported. Although the semi was moved to the right-hand side of the road, wreckers were unable to recover it due to the weather and high winds. Initially, it was reported that the driver had been exported to Kaiser South Sacramento Medical Center with injuries. However, that report was corrected to say the driver did not go to a hospital.
Entrance Ramp Reopens About Nine Hours Later
The ramp remained closed until 10:29 in the morning when the roadway was finally cleared. The incident is being investigated to discover why the big rig overturned, although weather conditions at the time may have played a part in the accident.
Why Big Rigs Overturn
Big rigs overturn for a variety of reasons, including high winds. Inclement weather of all kinds can have a deleterious effect on big rigs. For instance, rain causes the roadway to become slick, making it harder for a trucker to stop in time to avoid an accident. However, it is incumbent on the trucker to maintain a slower speed in rainy weather.
Snow and ice-clad roads are also a hazard for safe driving, especially when the driver is behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound rig. From the outset, the trucker needs to slow down and avoid making quick maneuvers of any kind.
The wind is especially treacherous for large trucks due to their height. When a big rig is traveling at highway speeds and pulling an empty trailer and is caught by a cross draft, the entire truck can easily be blown over or across the roadway. This type of truck accident is dangerous not only for the truck driver but for other passenger vehicles in the vicinity.
Steps Truckers Can Take to Avoid Overturning in High Winds
Depending on the wind velocity and direction, there are some steps that truckers can take to avoid overturning. Here are some things truckers can do when they face high winds:
- Check the weather before starting out. It may be worthwhile to delay the trip.
- Make sure your load is secure and the doors are locked. The last thing a trucker wants is to spill a load on the roadway.
- If you are carrying a light load, consider rescheduling. It can help avoid a potential jackknife or rollover accident.
- Keep a firm grip on the wheel because the truck will follow the direction of the wind when it hits the side of the trailer.
- Reduce your speed, turn your hazard lights on and move into the right lane.
Investigating a Big Rig Accident
Because big rigs are under federal and state regulations, investigating an accident is more complicated than others. In addition to other things, our investigators review the driver’s logs to see if maintenance has been performed and whether issues were addressed. Investigators also check to see if defective parts might be present.
In many highway accidents, passenger vehicles are also involved when a semi blows over. In such cases, our investigators speak to witnesses, review police reports made at the accident scene and, if possible, obtain video footage of the crash. They perform accident reconstruction also to determine liability. We check records to see if the trucker is adequately trained and has a clean record in addition to any history of accidents related to company policies.
Truck Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a truck accident lawyer in Sacramento. If you or a family member has been injured in a trucking accident, I am here to provide free and friendly advice. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach me online.
I’ve helped numerous clients recover damages in all sorts of trucking accidents, car crashes, and wrongful deaths, among other traumas, since 1982.
See the pages listed below to learn more about my practice:
I’m especially proud to belong to the following organizations:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/semi-accident-crash-truck-2659736/
:cd llo [cs 762]