Alton City Highway Crash Involving Big Rigs Kills Two

Highway 86 Collision Results in Two Fatalities

Two fatalities occurred in an Alton City highway crash that involved a motor vehicle and two big rigs on April 3. The collision happened along northbound Highway 86 near the checkpoint manned by the Border Patrol around 3:21 p.m. The incident report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the vehicle, which contained the two occupants, was rear-ended by a big rig, which forced it to crash into another semi. 

Passenger Vehicle in Highway Crash Catches Fire

The passenger vehicle then caught on fire and became fully engulfed. Both people in the vehicle died as a result. The identification of those who died has not been released pending family notification. 

Investigation Being Conducted to Determine Cause of Highway Crash

The semi’s driver that rear-ended the vehicle was identified as a Fresno resident, age 58. A resident of El Centro, age 60, was driving the other big rig. Both truck drivers were using seat restraints when the double collision occurred, and impairment did not factor into the cause of the crash. An investigation by the CHP into the cause of the collision is ongoing.

Truck Driver Negligence That Can Cause a Rear-End Fatality Collision

Truck driver negligence takes many forms, and it can all contribute to rear-end collisions. Poor vehicle maintenance can lead to mechanical failure, such as with the brakes, resulting in an abrupt stop that causes a car behind to crash into the truck. Truckers may also drive while tired or distracted, leading to delayed reaction times when they must slow down or stop completely. 

Types of Trucker Negligence That Can Cause a Highway Crash

Unsafe lane changes, tailgating and failure to pay attention to traffic signals can also lead to rear-end collisions. Truck drivers may drive recklessly in order to meet tight deadlines or make up time lost due to delays. This can increase the chances of an auto accident if they don’t allow enough time for other drivers to react. 

Maintenance and Obeying State and Federal Laws

In addition, federal trucking laws require regular inspections and maintenance of commercial trucks, as well as mandatory testing and qualifications for truckers. If these safety requirements weren’t followed, it may be possible to hold the company responsible for any resulting highway crash.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

If your family has lost a loved one in an accident involving a commercial truck, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney about your legal rights. An attorney can help you determine if the truck driver or company that employs them was at fault and help your family file a wrongful death claim to recover damages. Although it will not ease the grief you feel, it can hold the negligent trucker responsible and help give you a sense of justice and closure. 

California Truck Accident Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, and I’m a California truck accident lawyer. Collisions involving big rigs often cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities. For a free consultation, contact our accident attorneys if your loved one was killed or injured in a collision with a semi. Our friendly and free advice can be reached at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

Our online contact form is also available for your convenience. Your case will be reviewed by us, any questions you may have answered, and your financial options explained on how you can recover compensation. 

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Photo attribution: Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay 

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