Sacramento Big Rig Accident
Sacramento Big Rig Accident – Commuters on I-50 near 48th Street were stalled in traffic after a fiery early morning big rig accident on the eastbound portion of the highway on October 3, 2018. As the truck burst into flames, three lanes were shut down and firefighters fought to clean up a fuel spill on the roadway to get the fire under control. Traffic was backed up for about one mile as commuters waited for the cleanup.
Details of the Sacramento Big Rig Accident
The accident occurred around 10:00 in the morning when the big rig was struck by a sedan, according to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) spokesperson. The collision caused the truck to veer to the left toward the median when it crashed. The big rig’s tractor caught on fire as a result, and debris was strewn across the highway. However, the trailer did not erupt in flames. According to Caltrans, the eastbound lanes were closed as a result of the big rig accident. Traffic was also stalled in the westbound lanes because of the fire and smoke issuing from the vehicle. The lanes remained closed for several hours while firefighters put out the blaze, and the debris field cleaned up and vehicle removed. It is uncertain whether the driver of the sedan remained at the scene.
Injuries in the Sacramento Big Rig Accident
According to authorities, the driver was able to escape the truck despite suffering minor injuries. He was evaluated at the scene by emergency personnel and taken to a local hospital for treatment. There has been no word as to the nature of his injuries or whether he was hospitalized.
Truck Fires
When a large truck catches fire, the ramifications for the trucker and other drivers are immense and can cause serious injuries. Trucks usually are able to carry 100 gallons of diesel fuel, which has a low boiling point. When an accident occurs, however, the fuel can be ignited due to mechanical damage. If the tank is impacted, the disruption can cause sparks that cause the fuel to ignite, resulting in severe burn injuries to the occupants of the truck and those in other vehicles. If the big rig was carrying chemical substances or volatile fuel, the risk of chemical burns and exposure as well as explosive fire is increased.
Other Common Causes of Truck Fires
In many cases, a truck fire results from poor maintenance. Some common causes are:
- Poor wiring: Over time, wiring can become worn, providing an excellent fire potential. Mechanics who service the big rig should be alert for compromised wiring to prevent a big rig accident. Aftermarket wiring such as that used for sound systems or computers can also be a culprit. Timely replacement of worn wires can eliminate this fire hazard. Defective tires may also be a factor in a big rig accident.
- Additional add-on equipment: Truckers often add material such as inverters. To do this, holes are drilled for the wires to pass through. A common problem is that the wires rub against the hard edges of the hole and in time wear down, resulting in sparks. The sparks can initiate a fire, causing burns and smoke inhalation.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. Collisions with a big rig commonly result in severe injuries or fatalities. If you or someone you care about was injured in an accident with a big rig, I can offer you free and friendly advice for your situation. Please give me a phone call at (916) 921-6400 locally or (800) 404-5400 if you are phoning from another part of Northern California. My office also has a contact form online for your use, and I will promptly get back to you.
For more than 36 years, I’ve worked with residents of Sacramento and surrounding Northern California to get them the compensation they require and deserve for their accident injuries. Some of the areas I work with include all types of car accidents, brain injuries, and wrongful deaths.
The Million Dollar Advocates Forum was designed to recognize those personal injury lawyers who have won either a settlement or trial verdict for a client in excess of one million dollars. I am a member of this group from California.
Finding out about a law practice is helpful when you are looking for representation for your case. You are welcome to look over some of our prior cases and their conclusions, along with client comments and reviews, at the following sites:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/firefighter-emergency-fire-2679283/Sacramento Big Rig Accident.
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