Overturned Trailer Blocks Traffic in Benicia
On Friday, February 24, 2017, a car accident took place that caused a trailer to be overturned on a Benicia freeway.
Accident Details
The accident was reported to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at just about 10:30 a.m. The report indicated that a large trailer had overturned as the result of an accident on the westbound side of highway Interstate 780 only a short distance from the exit at Southampton road. The caller told CHP that the trailer had been carrying a load of rocks or possibly concrete and had spilled its contents during the collision, spreading debris into every lane of the freeway.
Injuries
There have been no reports of any injuries happening as a result of the collision. The occupants of the involved vehicles were all able to exit their vehicles without assistance. Whether or not the force of the collision caused injuries that were not immediately apparent at the time of the incident is possible but currently unknown.
Traffic and Cleanup
The debris spilled from the trailer necessitated the shutdown of all lanes of highway Interstate 780, the main thoroughfare for commuters in the Benicia area. CHP had to call in crews of workers with specialized equipment in order to remove the hazardous materials from the roadway. It took workers approximately an hour to arrive and finish clearing the road, at which point 511.org, a traffic watching website funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, announced through their twitter account that the lanes had been reopened. 511.org also indicated that drivers should expect some delays, assuring commuters that the traffic jam will clear itself up over time.
CHP Investigating
CHP has not reported who is at fault for the accident or whether or not they believe driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs to have played a part in causing the accident. Accidents like this are common and can be caused by a multitude of factors including distracted driving, speeding, defective roadways, and more.
Distraction and Driving
The CHP reports that 2,758 traffic deaths occur annually in the state of California. Out of these fatalities, some 18 percent are caused, at least in part, by drivers who are distracted from the road. One of the most common ways that a driver is distracted from the task of operating their vehicle is the use of mobile devices. Reading text messages while driving not only takes one’s hands away from the proper driving position but also forces an individual to look away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. It is important to be patient while driving and always prioritize the safety of others and yourself.
Benicia Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Benicia car accident lawyer. If you or someone close to you has been seriously injured or died in an accident, call me at (707) 564-1900 for free, friendly advice. Or, contact me toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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