Boat Slipped off Trailer, Hit Mazda on S. Watt Ave. in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. An accident in South Sacramento during the evening hours of June 5 happened along South Watt Avenue when a boat, being towed on a trailer, came loose and crashed into a vehicle, causing an injury.
Details of the Accident
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident happened along the southbound side of Watt Avenue near Fruitridge Road shortly before 8:00 in the evening. The boat, after it slipped off the trailer, crashed into a Mazda Protege. No information was given on the extent of injuries to the individual in the Mazda or whether charges would be filed in the incident against the driver who was pulling the trailer. The accident occurred along the right-hand side of the road but caused problems with traffic since a tow truck was required to remove it.
Trailer Accidents
While boats generally do not fall off trailers when they are being transported, these types of accidents do occur as well as others. Some of the reasons are as follows:
- The tire pressure is too low, which can cause the boat to fall off the trailer. After the trailer is sitting around part of the year, while the owner waits for good boating weather, it is necessary to check the tires to ensure they are not under-inflated or worn. Usually, tires lose several pounds of air pressure over time. This is a major cause of accidents involving transporting heavy weights on a trailer. In some cases, a tire may be defective.
- The wheel bearings on a trailer used to haul a boat naturally get wet when the boat is placed in the water. Over time, water can contaminate the bearing, causing the hubs to get overheated and the wheel to come off.
- Neglecting to check the coupling between the trailer and vehicle pulling it can result in the assembly becoming unhitched while on the road.
Negligent Hitch and Trailer Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 50,000 hitch and trailer accidents happen each year along with 450 fatalities. This also results in approximately 21,000 injuries, as noted by emergency visits. Determining liability may seem straightforward. The driver/owner of the vehicle is responsible for attaching the trailer hitch correctly. He or she is also responsible for securing the boat/cargo on the trailer. However, in some cases, the hitch itself is defective. When this happens, the manufacturer or designer of the hitch, as well as the retailer, may be held responsible for the accident.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. No one drives out on the road thinking that they will be injured in an accident. However, it happens to many people every day. If you were injured or someone you care about was, my free and friendly advice may be of help in your situation. Reach out to me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. I can also be reached online by using the contact us form.
It has been my privilege to have served the people of Sacramento and surrounding Northern California area as an injury lawyer for more than 36 years. In that time, I’ve assisted many with their claims for different types of car accidents and wrongful death cases.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/vehicle-sea-rescue-lifeboat-3339879/
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