Accident on the American River Bridge Requires Hazmat Cleanup Crew
A hazardous material spill in Sacramento following a semi-trailer truck accident along Interstate 5 on Aug 9 closed down traffic for hours. The collision occurred when a truck driver lost control of their vehicle for unknown reasons and crashed near the Richards Boulevard off-ramp on the bridge over the American River around 2:25 p.m. According to the report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the engine compartment of the semi caught fire.
Hazmat Crew Arrives to Perform Cleanup
The driver of the semi safely got out of the truck. However, diesel fuel was spilling onto the roadway and going down into the storm drain, which necessitated calling in a Hazmat crew to control it and perform the cleanup. Three lanes of traffic were initially affected by the accident but expanded to include the number one lane because of the spill.
Extended SigAlert Requires Drivers to Seek Alternate Routes
A SigAlert was issued for the next two hours following the hazardous material spill, suggesting that motorists use I-80 as an alternate route. However, the SigAlert was expanded due to the spill and removal of the semi, and this section of the interstate was still closed at 6:34 p.m. with no estimate of reopening. The hazardous material spill accident is under investigation by the CHP to find out what happened to cause it. Information was not provided on whether the spill was caused by the load being carried by the truck or whether it was a ruptured fuel line or tank.
Risks of a Hazardous Material Spill
A hazardous material spill can not only adversely affect the environment but also motorists and the surrounding community. In some cases, depending on the substance, people in the area may be told to stay indoors, while in extreme circumstances, they might have to evacuate the area. Diesel fuel may cause irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory system. It is not only flammable but can be explosive when exposed to the air.
Recovery of Damages in a Truck Accident
Accidents that involve big rigs are often serious and cause severe injuries and fatalities due to the large size and weight of the truck. Some accidents may be complicated by a hazardous material spill, which can increase trauma to those involved. When you or a loved one has been injured due to a negligent truck driver or the company that employs them, you may want to find out about placing a claim for compensation. The damages that are recovered can include your medical expenses and reimbursement for your pain and suffering, as well as lost wages.
Investigating a Truck Accident
Our investigators are experienced in investigating truck accidents to uncover fault. Some of the areas in which they investigate include:
- The ELD or log kept by the truck driver is checked to see if they are following state and federal regulations on driving hours and rest breaks.
- The maintenance records of the truck are examined to see if needed repairs were made.
- The accident report is checked for errors.
- Surveillance cameras are examined to see if the accident was caught on tape.
- The background of the driver is checked for traffic infractions and whether they were previously in an accident.
- The company itself is examined to see if they have a record of negligence.
- Accident reconstruction is performed to indicate how the collision occurred and show fault.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. Truck accidents can lead to serious injuries and fatalities. If a negligent trucker or company that employs that person caused your trauma, we have free and friendly advice to offer you about placing a claim for compensation. Contact us at (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400. We can be reached online also.
We belong to Million Dollar Advocates and Top 1 Percent as California members.
At AutoAccident.com, we’ve successfully defended our clients’ rights to fair compensation since 1982 in all forms of traffic collisions, truck accidents, wrongful deaths and others.
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