Camper Accident on I-80 near Auburn
I’m Ed Smith, an Auburn personal injury lawyer. A pickup truck towing a camper trailer crashed on Interstate 80 near Auburn, California on Monday, July 10 at around 1:00 p.m. Witnesses claim that a second vehicle may have fled the scene following the camper accident.
What Happened in this Camper Accident?
Details of the accident are sparse, but news reports have no mention of another vehicle involved in the car accident yet witnesses say they saw a black car smashed into the divider wall nearby. It happened about one mile west of Old Town Auburn. The white pickup truck might have been going too fast, swerved too sharp and lost control of the vehicle, or the black car mentioned by a witness could have stopped short or cut off the driver of the truck. The camper trailer ended up on its side after the crash and was partially blocking the freeway. A passerby noted that the truck was on its side as well but when photos were taken by the news reporter, the white truck was in an upright position.
The westbound interstate was reduced to a slow speed, one-lane passage as highway officials diverted traffic around the wreckage while the eastbound lanes were unobstructed.
Driving with a Trailer
With the summer months, many people will break out their recreational toys and go camping or start yard projects and borrow trailers and trucks. Without experience and caution, driving with a trailer can be very dangerous to the occupants of the vehicle and those around them. Following these suggestions that can help a person be safe when towing a trailer.
Manage the Weight:
The biggest factor that changes how you drive when towing is the increase in the weight of the vehicle. Knowing how much weight your vehicle is rated to tow is important when loading it up with stuff. The engine power and brakes have a limit to what they can handle safely.
Manage the Size:
Always being aware of the increase in the size of your vehicle can help you avoid accidents. Lane changes can turn disastrous if you forget you are towing a trailer and think you can fit between two other vehicles when in reality you may be too large. Make sure to be aware of the trailer’s position when turning as you can easily clip vehicles and roadside objects if you do not give yourself enough room when turning. Height is also a factor to consider when approaching bridges or overhangs. Make sure to know the exact height of whatever you are driving and towing.
Maneuvering:
The vehicle’s handling will change depending on what you are pulling behind it. Stopping distances will increase so make sure to give yourself enough room when following other cars. Reversing the vehicle is also tricky because the trailer forms a hinge where it is attached to the vehicle. Practice reversing in an empty parking lot or area without obstacles before you try it on the road. Cornering speeds will also be lower as you drive because of the changes in center of gravity.
Proper Hook-Up:
Check and double check whether or not the trailer is hooked up securely. Verify that the trailer brakes and lights are connected and working properly before driving off. Always use the backup chains as a safety, in the case of hitch failure.
Attorney Ed Smith
Auburn Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, an Auburn personal injury lawyer. If a family member or someone you love is in a car accident and receives serious injuries, give me a call at 530-392-9400 or 800-404-5400 for free and friendly advice.
I have been giving legal advice and helping the community of Auburn with personal injury and motor vehicle accident cases for nearly 35 years.
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My injury lawyers and I invite you to browse our Previous Verdicts and Settlements page on my website, AutoAccident.com. This website has a good amount of legal information on vehicular accidents, wrongful deaths, personal injury, and much more.
Check out more accident related articles from my blog:
- 5 Common Motorcycle Accidents in Roseville
- Managing the Emotional Issues of Amputation
- Dog Bite Treatment is Vital
- 2 Dead in Head-On Collision Near South Lake Tahoe
Sources:
Image Source: By Redwolf Journeys/Mike – Wikimedia Commons
- http://www.auburnjournal.com/article/7/10/17/crash-interstate-80-stops-traffic-near-auburn#
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