Lane Closure Involved in Box Truck Accident
A box truck accident happened near Oroville on January 26 after the driver spotted an upcoming lane closure too late. The accident, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) report, said the driver was nearing a lane closure caused by a construction area but didn’t notice until it was too late to see that the traffic was at a standstill up ahead. The driver then attempted to turn toward the right, but the box truck rolled, went off the side of the road and hit a utility pole, ending up lying on one side.
Driver Suffers Moderate Injuries in Box Truck Accident
The driver suffered injuries described as moderate in the box truck accident. No report was issued on which hospital the driver was transported to for treatment. The CHP is investigating the crash, however, it may be that inattention might have been the cause. In addition, the CHP warned other drivers to stay aware of the traffic conditions and signs posted that warn drivers of unexpected road construction.
Accidents Involving Box Trucks
Throughout Butte County, you will often see box trucks. Being involved in an accident with one is not unusual since they are much larger and heavier as well as more difficult to handle. Private individuals can rent box trucks from U-Haul and Ryder, which are also used by large companies like Amazon and UPS. There are several reasons why a box truck driver’s negligence can lead to an accident, including:
- Driver unfamiliarity with box trucks: An inexperienced driver may not realize that box trucks handle differently from passenger vehicles, have large blind spots and take longer to stop when braking.
- Speeding: There is often a problem with speeding among drivers for large companies due to their busy schedules.
- Distracted driving: In a distraction-related crash, a driver reviewing their delivery schedule or directions on a GPS can end up causing a collision with another vehicle.
- Improper loading: An improperly loaded box truck may experience a rollover if the driver turns sharply or the weight shifts, resulting in a collision.
- Rear-end crashes: When a box truck is loaded, it requires a longer stopping distance. If the driver does not apply the brakes in time, this can lead to a rear-end collision.
A Box Truck’s Insurance Coverage
If a company’s vehicles cause an accident, their insurance policies typically provide at least $1 million in coverage in case of liability. When renting a box truck, private motorists often carry a policy to cover any accidents while driving, but these are often very limited with $15,000 to $30,000 in liability coverage. Most people rely on their auto insurance to compensate them for losses involved in a box truck accident. Moreover, if a company rented a vehicle to someone with an expired driver’s license or if the truck was mechanically defective, the rental agency may be held responsible.
Box Truck Accidents and How a Lawyer Can Help
The coverage of an insurance policy is important when an accident occurs that was caused by a box truck driver. Oroville personal injury lawyers can help you by determining what coverage applies, reviewing your case, gathering needed documents and evidence that will support your claim and negotiating on your behalf with the insurance company. Your medical expenses, wages you lost because you couldn’t work, and damages for your pain and suffering can be recovered in this way.
Oroville Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, an Oroville personal injury lawyer. Truck accidents can cause serious injuries. If you were injured by a negligent trucker, call our injury lawyers for free and friendly advice at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. An online message form is available also.
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