Sacramento Multi-Vehicle Crash Causes Major Injury
A Sacramento County major injury was reported on July 16 in Elk Grove. A multi-vehicle crash that happened along I-5, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), involved six vehicles. They were heading northbound on the highway when the collision occurred at around 7:00 a.m. just north of the Laguna Boulevard off-ramp. Two semi-trucks were involved, and it was reported that one of the big rigs may have been the cause of the collision. At least one major injury was reported when one person suffered head and neck trauma from the accident. Two people were transported to Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center on Bruceville Road for treatment and further evaluation.
Further Details About the Accident
According to the police report, the vehicles involved in the Elk Grove collision included a white semi-truck, a yellow Central Transport truck, a Ford Focus, Ford Mustang, Lincoln MKZ, and a PT Cruiser. A spill of 15 to 30 gallons of fuel in the center divide was quickly contained. Some of the vehicles ended up at the center divide, while the others were on the right-hand side of the roadway. Smoke was reported as issuing from the front end of one of the tractor-trailers, and at least one car was totaled with others sustaining major damage.
Commuter Traffic Gridlocked
The accident caused the left lane of I-5 to remain blocked for over an hour. It reopened at around 8:10 a.m. The backed-up traffic due to the collision went back at least as far as Elk Grove Boulevard.
What an Injury Lawyer Can Do for You
Truck accidents involving multiple vehicles can be complicated when it comes to determining fault. Our investigative team will sort through all evidence available at the scene, review police reports for accuracy, and interview witnesses to the crash. This information is vital to determine who was at fault for the accident. Once negligence is established, it is possible to proceed with a personal injury lawsuit, or use it to negotiate for the compensation the injured party deserves. Calling us as soon as possible after an accident is important to preserve evidence and examine the area for vital information. Many of our former clients keep our phone number in their cell phone and reach out to us from the accident site.
Truck Accidents
Trucks are heavier and bigger than passenger vehicles, and trucking accidents are often catastrophic. Seventy-five percent of all truck accident injuries happen to occupants of passenger vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While truck driver error is the major reason big rig accidents happen, speeding often causes a major injury when a big rig is involved.
Statistics related to Truck Accidents
The following are statistics about trucking accidents:
- Almost 25 percent of truck crashes result in major injury.
- Sixty-five percent of truck accidents occur on rural roads.
- Almost 83 percent of truck crashes happen on weekdays.
- Truck crash injuries account for approximately 10 percent of fatal injuries.
Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents happen due to driver error, poor maintenance, or issues with maneuverability. Some of the most common are:
- Rollovers: Rollover accidents occur due to speeding, traveling up or down steep roadways and driving around a curve at a speed above that which the truck can handle. They also happen when the truck leaves the road and “trips” over a curb or hits soft gravel.
- Underride/override accidents: This type of accident occurs when a smaller vehicle hits the back of the truck, or the big rig hits a smaller passenger car in front of it. Major injuries and deaths result to those in the passenger vehicles.
- Jackknife accident: In this type, the articulated vehicle folds back on itself, so it resembles a jackknife. A typical cause is locking of the brakes due to improper braking. When this happens, the trucker has no control over their vehicle.
- Improper stopping: The bigger a truck is and the faster it is traveling, the longer it takes to stop. If the brakes are not applied in time or if the truck is speeding, a crash with another vehicle can occur, resulting in a major injury.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. Collisions with big rigs often result in severe injuries or fatalities. If this happened to you, I have free and friendly advice to offer. Call me at (916) 921-6400 locally or (800) 404-5400 if you are elsewhere in Northern California. I can also be reached by filling out the online contact form at AutoAccident.com.
During my 37 years as an injury lawyer, I’ve obtained fair compensation for many Northern Californians. From any type of motor vehicle collision to wrongful deaths or traumatic injuries, I’m on your side.
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As a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, I join with other lawyers who display a high standard of excellence in their practice. As a California member of the Million Dollar Forum, I am an attorney who has won a verdict or settlement of more than $1 million for a client.
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