Elk Grove Man Dies in Dixon Truck Accident
A young Elk Grove man passed away following a truck accident in Dixon.
About the Accident
On 2 August, a 20-year-old Elk Grove man died after a Peterbilt semi truck struck his car in an intersection. The man’s copper-colored Dodge Neon was traveling westbound on Midway Road in Dixon when it entered an intersection. The semi truck traveling northbound on State Route 113 could not stop in time and ended up striking the vehicle.
The accident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. on Wednesday. There is no information as to why the collision occurred or on the specific injuries suffered.
Cause of the Accident
The cause of the accident is still unknown, but the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is still investigating it. They have not made any indication of truck driver wrongdoing at this time.
Fatal Injuries in Trucking Accidents
No matter the cause, injuries in truck accidents are often either serious or even fatal. This is especially true in accidents where a big rig “T-bones” or broadsides another vehicle.
In these types of accidents, the weight of a semi truck crushes the other vehicle, leaving no protection between the driver of a vehicle and the semi truck.
Determining Liability in Truck Accidents
Determining liability in a truck accident can be a complicated process, especially when no one witnesses the accident. The potential causes are numerous. They include truck driver fatigue, improperly maintained brakes, and the road itself.
If actions by a truck company caused the accident, this may be difficult to prove. The trucking industry is well-known for their efforts to destroy logs that show problems in a driver’s hours or with the maintenance records of a semi truck. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help with these problems.
About the Intersection
The intersection where this accident occurred may have played a role in the wreck. Both roadways leading to it are bare-bones farm roads with one lane traveling in either direction. Both allow for high speeds and no warning signal is provided to alert drivers on Midway Road of the approaching highway. The only separation between the two roads is a stop sign at Midway Road.
Serious T-bone-style accidents are therefore fairly common at this intersection. This means the government may hold some liability for these accidents. However, claims against the government must be filed within 180 days of an accident.
About the Driver
The driver of the truck was 69-year-old William Gallagher of Klamath Falls, Oregon. There is no information available about Gallagher’s truck driving experience. In cases like this one, however, experience plays a minimal role as other factors may outweigh that experience.
About the Victim
Authorities released the name of the deceased man from Elk Grove on 3 August. He is identified as 20-year-old Christian Savage of Elk Grove. He is survived by both parents and several siblings.
We send our heartfelt condolences to the young man’s family and friends as they go through this tragic time.
Related Articles by Edward A Smith:
Elk Grove Truck Accident Lawyer & Wrongful Death Attorney
I’m Ed Smith and I am an Elk Grove truck accident lawyer. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed after a truck accident, please call us at (916) 694-0002. We can also be reached toll free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
Many factors in the aftermath of a truck accident are time-sensitive. My team of experienced injury lawyers are standing-by to guide you through this process. I personally have spent over three decades practicing personal injury law.
To see how I have helped others, please read my reviews on Yelp, Avvo, and Google. My Past Verdicts and Settlements page also shows my excellent history of representing people in their time of need.
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