Terminous Road and Oxbow Marina Drive Site of Overturned Dump Truck
On September 3, 2020, a dump truck accident occurred at the intersection of Terminous Road and Oxbow Marina Drive in Isleton. According to a report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the incident happened at 3:41 in the afternoon.
Reportedly, the dump truck ran off the road and overturned. A good Samaritan who stopped and offered assistance may have transported the driver to a nearby fire station. The dump truck driver was then taken back to the accident site. It is uncertain whether the truck driver suffered injuries in the crash, but authorities did not think he would be transported to the hospital.
A tow truck was called to help with moving the three-axle fully loaded dump truck. It is not clear at this time why the truck overturned. The CHP is charged with investigating the dump truck accident to determine negligence.
Why Do Dump Trucks Overturn?
Dump trucks come in all shapes and sizes. They are used to haul material and dump it. Operators face many hazards, including overturning of the bed or the entire truck. Because of their size and weight, an overturned dump truck can cause severe injuries and even fatalities.
The injuries and fatalities are not limited to the operator, however. Any person or vehicle nearby the overturned dump truck faces the risk of being harmed.
Why Dump Trucks Overturn
Numerous contributing factors lead to an overturned dump truck. These include the type of dump truck and the site where the accident happened. Some of the most common include:
- Soft soil: Sometimes, the soil or sand under the truck is softer than expected. When the operator begins to dump their load, the change in weight can result in shifts in the soft soil under the truck, causing it to overturn.
- Sloped or uneven ground: When operating on a slope or uneven ground, the truck’s overturning risk is higher. This is due to load shifting in response to the imbalance. When the bed of the truck overturns, the cab may also tip over if an articulating model is not used. An articulating model means that there are two sections on the chassis, the cab and the body, both of which move separately. This articulation gives the operator greater control and maneuverability.
- Malfunctioning bed: When the bed malfunctions, such as when the tailgate doesn’t open or the lift mechanism does not work, the risk of overturning is high. Overturning in this situation is due to the load shifting to the back of the bed, lifting the truck’s front and making it tip over. Bed malfunction can be due to a manufacturer’s defect.
- Any shifting load: When the load shifts, the likelihood of an overturned dump truck will increase.
Ways to Prevent a Dump Truck From Overturning
There are things an operator should do to prevent a dump truck accident:
- Inspect the truck to ensure that all equipment is in working order.
- Make sure the load is even before dumping.
- Try to unload on a level surface.
- Don’t dump near the road shoulder.
- Don’t dump when people or vehicles are close by since they will be unsafe if the truck overturns.
- Proceed slowly when on the road.
- Be alert for passenger vehicles nearby. The weight differential can cause a fatal accident.
Investigating an Accident
At our law firm, we dispatch our investigators to the accident site as soon as possible. Once there, the investigative team examines the site and look for clues as to why the accident happened. If there is video footage of the accident from surveillance cameras, we obtain it. Since police reports are widely used during negotiations and in court, we review them carefully for inaccuracies. Once all evidence is compiled, our investigators send it to our lawyers to be used in building a robust case for our clients.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. I am here to provide you with free and friendly advice if you call (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also contact me online if that is more convenient for you.
I’ve helped Sacramentans since 1982 to obtain the compensation they deserve in all varieties of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and other traumatic incidents.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/site-truck-dump-truck-2402789/
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