US 50 Accident Damages Two Vehicles After Being Struck by a Christmas Tree
An unsecured load accident occurred along eastbound US 50 in Sacramento on January 8 that damaged two vehicles. The accident, which involved an airborne Christmas tree, occurred in the number two lane of the highway just west of the Stockton Boulevard entrance ramp at about 9:08 in the morning. According to the police report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a Honda Accord was struck as well as a Lexus sedan.
Additional Information About the Unsecured Load Accident
The Lexus was so damaged by being struck by the Christmas tree that it had to be towed. No information was released on any injuries that occurred from the crash. The CHP is conducting an investigation into the unsecured load accident to determine what happened.
Accidents That Involve Unsecured Loads
Accidents that involve an unsecured load are extremely common. During one period of three years, more than 500 people died, and 39,000 were injured as a result of an unsecured load in more than 200,000 accidents. Highways are at the greatest risk of a motorist being involved in an accident that involves an improperly secured load, including:
- A vehicle is struck by an object falling from a car or flatbed trailer. In 2019, a woman’s leg became impaled by a metal bar that fell from a big rig and passed through the engine compartment of her vehicle. Emergency responders with the fire department had to free her.
- A motorist heading down the road suddenly comes across a sofa, mattress, or debris dropped by a vehicle. Because the lanes are busy on the highway, either they have to crash into the object or risk hitting another car because there is no place to go.
- A chain-reaction accident occurs because of unsecured cargo. In this example from 2019, an entire load was lost by a logging truck, which ended up crashing and rolling over.
- Loss of a big rig load: Everyone has heard of instances where a flatbed trailer, tractor-trailer, or other commercial vehicle has overturned, losing its entire load on the roadway. A dump truck close to Santa Monica was hauling dirt in 2019 and lost its entire load along the freeway. Other drivers, who were unable to stop, were forced to make dangerous lane changes to get around it.
How to Drive Safely When Transporting Loads
Motorists or truckers who are transporting cargo are required under California law to have it secured so that it cannot fall off or blow off into the road. This prevents objects from falling or blowing off and striking someone’s vehicle or another motorist crashing into or driving over an item that can cause an accident. Some of the following suggestions may help:
- Don’t exceed the load capacity. This can cause the vehicle to ride low or blow a tire.
- Check your load on a regular basis to ensure that it is still stable.
- Use tarps, straps, or tie-downs to secure a load. Loading items in a large plastic bag will not keep them secure because they can blow out.
- Avoid speeding because it is not only illegal but can increase the force against items being hauled, causing them to tumble out onto the ground.
- Check online to find the best ways to secure your load to avoid accidents.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Sacramento car accident lawyer. If you were injured by the negligent actions of another motorist, you might be able to place a claim for compensation. Contact me for my free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or through the toll-free number at (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, you can reach me online by sending me a message.
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My law office and our skilled injury attorneys have helped Northern Californians get the compensation they deserve since 1982 for all types of traffic collisions, cases that involve wrongful death, and traumatic injuries.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/auto-accident-broken-damage-rescue-515749/
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