Clearlake Area Trucking Collision Causes Critical Injuries
California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials stated that a non-fatal vehicle accident left three people with injuries on the morning of Tuesday, April 16, 2019. According to responders, two people suffered minor trauma while one individual was critically injured during the crash. The collision involved three vehicles including a large semi-truck and happened in a rural area along Clear Lake between Nice and Lucerne. CHP says that their investigators are currently looking into what factors may have been responsible for the crash.
Crash Details
CHP stated that a 57-year-old man from Willits had been driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla west on Highway 20 just before 8:00 a.m. The Corolla had been traveling at around 50 miles an hour when the driver apparently lost control. The vehicle veered across the median of the highway and entered the eastbound lane. At this time, a 29-year-old resident of Williams had been driving a 2012 Kenworth big-rig eastbound on Highway 20. The truck driver saw the Corolla swerve and reportedly attempted to avoid a crash by turning to the right. However, he was not able to avoid striking the front of the oncoming car.
Because of the impact, the Corolla was pushed back into the westbound lane where it struck a third vehicle, a 2012 Dodge Ram being driven by a 50-year-old man from Clearlake Oaks, causing the Toyota to overturn. Both the Toyota and the Dodge finally came to a rest on the highway’s north shoulder.
Response
Local law enforcement and firefighters assisted CHP with accident response. According to authorities, the driver of the Toyota was trapped inside of his car, which was severely damaged. Nice Fire Department spokesman Joel Cecil stated that two engine companies worked with two medics in order to extract the man from his crumpled vehicle. Responders used extrication tools to remove the roof and door of the Toyota in order to remove the patient.
Reports state that the Toyota driver suffered a broken ankle as well as a punctured lung. The man was transported on a helicopter ambulance to the Vacaville Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. The driver of the Ram and semi-truck were both treated for minor injuries at the crash scene.
Investigation
While police are still conducting an investigation, officers have said that they suspect fatigue may have contributed to the crash. Other common trucking collision factors include distracted driving, defective auto parts, medical issues, improper equipment maintenance, reckless driving, and more.
Calling a Lawyer
If you or a person you love has been hurt during an accident that involved a commercial truck, it’s important to call a lawyer as soon as possible. Because trucking companies have legal teams at the ready in the event of a crash, having legal help right away can be vital. To learn more about this, watch the below video:
More Articles Written by Clearlake Truck Accident Lawyer, Ed Smith
- Clearlake Crash Causes Deadly Trauma
- What Is a Clearlake Personal Injury Lawyer?
- Serious Trucking Accident in Clearlake
Clearlake Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Clearlake truck accident lawyer. Sustaining an accident injury can be a life-changing event. If you were hurt because of an accident, please (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900 and receive some free, friendly advice about your case.
I have been working with people from Clearlake and nearby areas for more than three decades. You can learn about how my clients have been able to recover payments for their injuries by looking at my previous settlements and verdicts and reading through some of my outstanding reviews at:
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