Woman Hospitalized Following an Underride Accident
An underride accident, as well as a rollover, occurred on July 1 along westbound State Route 12. The collision between two big rigs and two other motor vehicles happened shortly after 9:30 in the morning near the junction of SR 12 and State Route 160. It happened just east of Rio Vista Bridge near Jackson Slough Road.
More Details
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a report that a full-size red pickup and Lexus were involved in the accident. They said that the car was stuck underneath the trailer of a big rig while the pickup had overturned. The pickup truck had been hit in the rear by a big rig and rolled over with six people on board. All six were injured.
After the big rig hit the pickup, it then struck a white Lexus, pushing it under another tractor-trailer in front of the car. The sedan was stuck between the big rig to the rear and the tractor-trailer in front. The Lexus was damaged so severely that extricating the woman from her vehicle was a long, involved process. The 49-year-old woman, once removed, was transported by medical helicopter to a hospital. As of the most recent report, her prognosis is good.
Vehicle Removal
A tow truck was needed to bring the pickup back onto its wheels. Both the pickup and the sedan and at least one of the big rigs had to be towed from the crash site. A heavy tow truck was needed to haul the big rig from the accident scene.
SigAlert Issued
The accident left the lanes of SR 12 blocked, and a SigAlert was issued for both the westbound and eastbound traffic lanes along Highway 12 at Jackson Slough Road. Motorists were advised that traffic would be congested. Unfortunately, there was no detour provided as an alternate route. The CHP is investigating the crash to determine its cause.
Underride Accident Preventive Features
Underride accidents are often fatal or associated with serious injuries. They occur when a tractor-trailer in front of a smaller passenger vehicle is stopped, moving slowly or stalled. If the smaller car is moving too fast to stop before striking the truck, the front of the vehicle will slip under the rear of the big rig, pinning it. This often results in shearing off or flattening of the top of the passenger vehicle, causing horrific injury to those inside.
Safety Features on Commercial Vehicles
In 2016, 1,475 people died when their vehicles were involved in a collision with a commercial truck. Of these, 295 were killed when their passenger vehicle hit the side of a truck, and 238 died in a rear-end collision. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, such accidents are preventable. The use of underride guards, which have been mandatory since 1953, is one way to do that. Standards that are relied upon for rear guards have not been updated since the late 1990s. A new bill in Congress is aimed at making side and front underride guards mandatory. In 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a regulatory proposal asking that rear underride guards be strengthened to better prevent a smaller vehicle from passing underneath.
Underride Accidents With a Commercial Vehicle
It is crucial if you are injured or a family member is killed in a commercial vehicle accident to contact a personal injury lawyer as quickly as possible. Your attorney will protect your rights when truck drivers or trucking companies try to cover up or minimize their liability for the accident. A seasoned attorney has the resources and experience to thoroughly investigate a wrongful death case or serious injuries.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. When a truck accident happens, an experienced injury lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me online.
I’ve helped numerous people when they were harmed in all types of car accidents, traumatic injuries, and wrongful deaths.
I am a proud member of the following organizations:
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum: A group of attorneys who have won more than $1 million for a client.
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel: This organization permits membership only to those lawyers who display the highest level of legal excellence in their practice.
Learn about my practice by reviewing the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/jsar-search-rescue-911-999-2680391/
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