Ventura County Hwy 118 Big Rig Accident
I’m Ed Smith, and I’m a Ventura car accident lawyer. An accident in Simi Valley in Ventura County along Highway 118 was reported on Monday, May 8. I hope the victims of the crash recover soon and extend them my sympathy with the hope that they put this harrowing experience behind them.
What Happened
According to a report by the California Highway Patrol, a semitrailer, driving along Highway 118 before 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon, jackknifed and struck three vehicles. The crash occurred in an eastbound lane of Ronald Reagan Freeway near the exit for Sycamore Drive. According to a representative of the CHP, injuries occurred in the crash that were considered minor. The eastbound lanes were closed for about an hour following the accident while authorities investigated the cause of the crash.
Accidents With Big Rigs
When a big rig jackknifes, it can cause a serious accident due to the size and weight of the vehicle as opposed to smaller motor vehicles on the road. When the drive wheels on a semi become locked, such as when a truck tries to brake and swerve at the same time, it causes the trailer to stay in motion, swinging around, potentially hitting other vehicles. In some cases, a truck driver can use specific maneuvers to pull out of a jackknife. While stepping on the accelerator may break the truck out of the jackknife, this cannot be done when other vehicles are around.
In the Simi Valley accident, those in the motor vehicles were fortunate in that no serious injuries occurred. When an accident victim faces serious injuries such as to the brain and head, bone fractures, internal injuries or spinal cord injuries, it results in high medical bills, income loss and other expenses. Some injuries may cause permanent damage.
Statistics on Big Rig Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a total of 3,852 died in 2015 in collisions with big trucks. Of that number, 69 percent were in motor vehicles, 16 percent were in big trucks and 15 percent were either bicyclists, motorcycle riders or pedestrians. The number of fatalities in 2015 were 22 percent higher than the lowest year for recorded fatalities in 2009. Most accidents of motor vehicles with big trucks are front-end collisions at 29 percent, followed by rear collisions at 20 percent. Side collisions account for 12 percent of all reported accidents between big rigs and motor vehicles.
Attorney Ed Smith
Ventura Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith. I’m a Ventura car accident lawyer. An accident involving a big truck can have serious consequences. If you or a member of the family were injured, call (805) 372-0200 to receive friendly, free advice. Outside the 805 area code, call (800) 404-5400.
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Photo Source: https://pixabay.com/en/truck-highway-logistics-2138974/
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