Truck Crash on I-80 Blocks Eastbound Lanes
I’m Ed Smith, a Truckee truck accident lawyer. A crash on Interstate 80 blocked both eastbound lanes near Donner Summit on September 3. Traffic was stopped for some time as the crash was cleared.
The Details
The single vehicle accident involved a Walmart truck that sustained a cab fire. According to the California Highway Patrol, the cause of the fire is uncertain as of the time of this report. A little after 4:00 in the afternoon, the California Department of Transportation reported a crash and subsequent fire in the vicinity of Donner Lake.
Photos that accompanied the CHP post on Twitter show that a semi was disabled and spread across the two lanes heading east. The fire was visible in the pictures. The CHP said the driver did not appear to have suffered injuries at approximately 4:15 p.m. By 4:45, Caltrans said one lane had reopened, and after 6:30 in the evening both eastbound lanes were open.
Source of Big Rig Fires
Fires are not uncommon on big rigs and can generally be attributed to maintenance problems or neglect. Potential sources of big truck fires can include electrical problems such as arcs that happen in the starter mechanism, tires can cause fires as well as road debris. Turbochargers, exhaust or overheated brakes and wheel bearings are also reasons for fires in big trucks. Regular inspection and maintenance can help prevent this problem. For example, checking the lubricant level of the wheel bearings helps. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, checking hub oil levels daily can prevent failure of the wheel bearings, which can lead to a wheel fire.
Can Lack of Maintenance Cause an Accident?
Companies that use big trucks for deliveries such as Walmart are required to inspect, maintain and repair their vehicles to keep them safe for use on the nation’s roads and highways. It is well-known that a driver’s schedule is tight, and sometimes the need to transport goods in the shortest amount of time causes some drivers to take short cuts.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provides guidelines, and drivers must prepare a driver inspection vehicle report at the end of each work day. Trucking companies must also maintain copies of these reports for a minimum of one year. When an accident has occurred that has injured others such as those in motor vehicles, the inspection and maintenance reports can provide a good source of proof if a vehicle was not properly maintained and caused an accident as a result.
The Need for an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident fires are complicated and require the knowledge a seasoned truck accident lawyer can provide. Having the resources to obtain expert opinion is necessary in many truck accident fire cases. By proving negligence, the attorney can make sure that the victim will receive the compensation he or she deserves.
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Truckee Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Truckee truck accident lawyer. When an accident resulting in injuries has been caused by the negligence of a truck driver or lack of maintenance on a large commerical truck, the injured individual or family member has the ability to claim fair compensation for those injuries. If you or a family member has suffered an injury, call me at (530) 392-9400 for free and friendly advice with no obligation. You can also use my toll-free line at (808) 404-5400 or contact me online.
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