Accident at the Northbound I-5 Connector Involves Semi and Large SUV
An injury was reported in a big rig collision in Sacramento on December 6. The accident happened around 5:51 p.m. on eastbound US 50 at the northbound I-5 connector. According to the report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident occurred when a semi was involved in a crash with a Ford Explorer.
One Injury Reported in Sacramento Big Rig Collision
A tow truck was required to remove the big rig from the accident scene. That section of the road was reopened at around 6:47 p.m. No additional information was provided about the party who was injured in the crash. The accident is under investigation by the CHP to discover how it occurred.
Causes of a Big Rig Collision
Because semis and other commercial vehicles are much larger and heavier than smaller passenger cars, severe injuries often occur in a collision. Semis are much different than smaller vehicles when it comes to handling and performance, so experience and alertness are needed by the driver to avoid a big rig collision. Some of the more common types of negligence that can lead to a crash involving other vehicles are:
- Blind spots: The driver of a semi or other large rig has blind spots all the way around the vehicle. This can make it dangerous to change lanes if the trucker doesn’t realize there is a vehicle next to them.
- Override/underride collisions: An override, where the truck hits a passenger vehicle, usually occurs when a car in front of the big rig is going much slower, has stopped or the trucker is speeding. Unfortunately, truckers speed to make their deliveries on time or because of company pressure. Alternatively, an underride accident occurs when a motorist crashes into the back of the big rig.
- Not displaying flares: When a semi or other large vehicle is broken down or stopped, the driver is required to display flares, so other motorists know the truck is there. Failure to do so, which leads to a big rig collision, is negligence.
- Bad brakes: Bad brakes are often responsible for a big rig collision. When the air brake system fails, the driver can easily lose control and end up crashing into multiple cars. These types of brakes operate using compressed air, so it’s easy to see that a number of things can go wrong.
- Wide turns: The driver of a semi or other large commercial vehicle often has to swing out into the next lane to make a turn. Unfortunately, if another vehicle is there at the time, it can cause a serious big rig collision.
- Jackknife collisions: An inexperienced driver or one who is going too fast down a hill can end up causing a jackknife accident. This occurs when the trailer or tanker being pulled is going at a faster speed than the cab pulling it. The result looks much like an opened jackknife and can cause a serious big rig collision as the trailer crashes into other vehicles.
Compensation Following a Big Rig Collision
Because big rigs are governed by federal and state regulations and many things can go wrong that can lead to an accident, asking the advice of an injury lawyer may be helpful. Over the years, we’ve successfully obtained fair compensation for our clients following an accident caused by a trucker or the company that employs them. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation, either virtually or in person to answer your questions, review your case and tell you about options to recover damages.
Truck Accident Attorneys in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident attorney. If a big rig caused your injuries, you may want to find out if you can file a compensation claim. Contact us for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for a case review. We can also be reached by sending us a message online.
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My team of injury lawyers and I have helped countless people since 1982 in recovering fair compensation for wrongful deaths, all kinds of traffic collisions, pedestrian, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents and others.
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