Fatal Discovery Bay Big Rig Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a Discovery Bay truck accident lawyer. A pickup and another vehicle, attempted to pass around a curve in the area near South Roberts Road on Highway 4, only to hit a big rig, causing it to go down an embankment. The other vehicle, a sedan, erupted in flames, starting a fire. The big truck’s cab was under water, according to the California Highway Patrol(916) 921-6400. The CHP put out a Sigalert to shut down traffic on Highway 4 heading east at Discovery Bay Boulevard.
At the time of this reporting, there was no information about the individual who died in this accident. In addition, no details have been released on a possible cause for the crash.
Passing on a Curve
While passing on a curve where vision is limited may be illegal, it also puts other drivers who are approaching from the opposite direction in jeopardy. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 27 percent of all fatal accidents happen on curves, and 80 percent of fatalities resulted from roadway departures.
The highest number of curve-related accidents happened on rural roads that have two lanes. In fact, 64 percent of all rural roadway accidents involve large trucks. The condition of the road has an added effect on the reason such accidents occur.
Factors in Truck Rollovers
The average semi truck with cargo weighs around 80,000 pounds and has a high center of gravity. This is due to the truck’s low static stability factor, a calculation that incorporates the height, width and weight of the vehicle. Due to the low SSF, traveling around a curve at higher speeds can unbalance a vehicle, causing it to rollover.
This happens because the traction on the inner wheels is reduced due to a weight shift, causing the outside tires to have greater traction. This can cause an imbalance in the stability. In fact, a loaded tractor trailer proceeding at 5 mph around a curve can rollover. A smaller passenger vehicle might experience the same effect at a speed of 25 mph. If the truck enters the soft dirt found on the shoulder of the road when traveling around a curve, the chance for even greater damage is higher.
Causes of Rollover Crashes
The causes of truck crashes on curves include speeding, drifting off roadways, abrupt counter steering, reckless driving, abrupt counter steering and impaired driving. Additional factors are poorly loaded cargo, lack of brake and suspension maintenance and tires that are not inflated properly.
Rollover and Speed
In accidents involving trucks, speed is the biggest factor, leading to rollover. This is seen on both curves and on-and-off ramps. Semis have a greater propensity to rollover due to curves. Straight cargo trucks lack the low stability factor of the trailer.
Injuries in Truck Accidents
Significant injuries result when trucks lose their stability around curves, colliding with passenger vehicles. Injuries include brain trauma, spinal injuries and death to those inside the passenger vehicles. For those who have been injured in an accident with a big truck or who have lost a family member due to a wrongful death, talking to an experienced truck accident lawyer can help. The attorney can investigate the crash using police reports and traffic reconstruction records to help determine fault.
Discovery Bay Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Discovery Bay truck accident lawyer. In cases where a family member died due to the negligent acts of a truck driver, they may be able to recover financial compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. For friendly and free advice, please phone me, Ed Smith, at (925) 428-5220. I am also available through my toll-free number at (800) 404-5400.
Since 1982, I have worked diligently as an injury lawyer in California, including Discovery Bay, by representing victims of traumatic injuries and the bereaved families who are suffering the loss of their loved one through wrongful death.
Find my practice reviews on Avvo, Google and Yelp. Some of our former client listings and case results are at Verdicts and Settlements.
I am the proud owner and founder of autoaccidents.com, a site well-known in Northern California as a premier source of information about personal injury law.
As a member of the Million Dollar Advocates, this group represents top trial lawyers around the country. Members of this group have garnered at least $1 million in verdicts/settlements for former clients.
Photo Attribution: akkk.png Wikimedia Commons
:cd cv