Calaveras County Truck Accident Injures Stockton Man
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury attorney. An accident involving a pickup truck and big rig occurred at the intersection of Highway 26 and Highway 49 near San Andreas on July 25, 2018. At approximately 8:54 in the morning, a Stockton man was driving eastbound along Highway 26 in his 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 and stopped at the intersection. The Dodge driver reportedly attempted to cross the intersection when he was struck by a 2016 Peterbilt semi-truck traveling north on Highway 49. According to reports by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the passenger side of the Dodge sustained damage from the front-end of the semi-truck. The Dodge driver was taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the truck accident. An update on his condition has not yet been released by officials.
Accident Investigation
CHP reported that both trucks veered off the roadway and onto the shoulder due to the accident. Traffic was congested in the area for approximately an hour as crews worked to clean the debris off the highway and remove the vehicles from the scene. Authorities do not suspect that drugs or alcohol contributed as factors to the collision. However, citations may be issued as the investigation continues.
Dangers Related to Big Rigs
While any crash between two cars can be severe, a truck accident can be catastrophic given the length, weight, and size of the vehicle. The common reasons why truck accidents occur may be due to:
- Blind Spots: Large trucks have blind spots. Since many drivers may not be aware of this, they may travel close to a big rig and be struck. This happens because the trucker may not know a passenger vehicle is in his or her blind spot;
- Improperly Loaded Cargo: Many problems may arise when a large truck is carrying a partial load or hauling a poorly loaded trailer. Some of these problems may occur on the road when a load becomes unbalanced or shifts and causes a rollover. Other issues may include spilled loads which can create a traffic hazard to drivers in the area;
- Jackknifing: Stopping too quickly, inclement conditions and applying the wrong brakes on a large truck all have the potential to cause a jackknifing accident. This happens when the trailer is traveling faster than the tractor hauling it, which can cause the rear of the truck to swing around;
- Underride Accidents: Since large trucks sit high off of the ground, a car can go underneath these trucks if they are traveling too closely or if the big rig stops suddenly. These accidents are among the most severe type of accident and often causes fatalities. Many trucks (but not all) have underride guards equipped to prevent vehicles from traveling under the truck in an accident.
- Wide Turns: Large trucks may have to swing wide by entering the adjacent lane to make a turn on roads with sharper curves. Drivers should keep this in mind and maintain a safe distance to limit their chances of being sideswiped by these massive vehicles.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
Since large trucks are so much greater in size and weight compared to passenger vehicles, occupants of smaller cars are more likely to be injured or killed. The type and severity of an injury sustained in a truck accident may vary upon the type of collision. Following are some of the common types of injuries caused by these accidents:
- Chest Trauma: Damage to the lungs and heart can cause an immediate emergency situation if left untreated;
- Bone Fractures: Depending on the severity of a crash, the impact an individual absorbs may cause one or more bones to break within their body. Some of the bones that are susceptible to fractures include the ribs, pelvis, collarbone, femur, and vertebrae in the spine.
- Spinal Cord Injury: As with any other type of accident, the spinal cord may suffer damage due to blunt force. Spinal cord trauma can leave a victim with partial or total paralysis, both of which can require extensive periods of rehabilitation;
- Traumatic Brain Injury: This type of injury can range from a mild concussion to brain trauma resulting in disability, such as subdural hematomas and bleeding into the brain;
- Wrongful Death: Crush injuries, head trauma, or burns are most likely to cause fatalities in some extreme cases.
Related Truck Accident Articles by Edward A Smith:
- Caution is Required While Driving Near Trucks
- How to Avoid Trucking Accidents in Stockton
- Stockton Truck Driver Mistakes
Best Stockton Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury attorney. Accidents involving large trucks commonly result in serious injuries or even fatality in some cases. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by a negligent trucker, I am here to provide you with free, friendly legal advice on your situation. Please feel free to reach out to me any time at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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