U.S. 50 Traffic Halted by Overturned Semi and Spilled Content
A jackknifed tractor-trailer accident in Sacramento on November 30 stalled traffic on a major highway and spilled debris over the road. The accident happened along westbound U.S. 50 at the northbound entrance ramp for Howe Avenue shortly after 10:00 a.m. Traffic was blocked in three lanes, and a Sigalert was issued.
Jackknifed Tractor-Trailer Overturns on Highway
Upon arrival at the accident scene, officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) discovered that the truck had jackknifed in the slow lane and was lying on its side after spilling its load. All the lanes except the number one lane were strewn with chunks of concrete and trash, impeding the traffic. A Sigalert was issued for the westbound traffic lanes on Highway 50 at Howe Avenue, and Caltrans performed a hard closure on the Howe Avenue entrance ramp.
Extended Traffic Delays Expected
Motorists were advised to expect heavy congestion and delays. No information was released at the time of this report on whether any other vehicles were involved in the tractor-trailer accident or whether injuries occurred. Two heavy-duty tow trucks were called to the scene to upright the tractor-trailer and remove it from the accident site.
Accidents Involving a Big Rig
Accidents that involve a big rig often result in severe injuries and fatalities. When comparing an 80-foot tractor-trailer with a much smaller passenger vehicle, it is no surprise why. Knowing what can cause a jackknifed tractor-trailer accident can help. Some of the reasons these crashes occur include:
- The driver was inexperienced: Driving a tractor-trailer is not like a motor vehicle. It has problems with blind spots, multiple sets of brakes, and handles much differently. A driver who doesn’t have much experience can easily cause a jackknifed tractor-trailer.
- Maintenance on the big rig was neglected: It is the responsibility of the company that owns the rig and the driver to ensure that it is safe to operate. If the brakes or tires are worn, a leak is in the brake line, or other problems are present, it can lead to a jackknife.
- Unrealistic scheduling: If a driver speeds to make his deliveries on time, that endangers others on the roadway. If the company is forcing the driver into this situation, they may be held liable.
- Traffic infractions such as distracted driving by texting, talking on a phone, or other reasons can lead to an accident. It only takes a few moments when a driver is not looking at the roadway to cause a jackknifed tractor-trailer crash.
- Uneven loads: Loads being hauled in a trailer must be evenly balanced and not overloaded to prevent jackknifes and rollovers or even override accidents. When the trucker speeds up or goes downhill or around a tight curve, the load can shift suddenly, which can cause a jackknifed tractor-trailer accident.
Investigating a Truck Accident
A jackknifed truck accident investigation requires a legal team who is experienced in handling them. Our investigators:
- Check the background of the trucker to see if there are previous infractions and non-compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Check the ELD or logbook for falsification.
- Review the police report for mistakes and talk to witnesses.
- Perform accident reconstruction to show how the crash happened.
- Look for roadside and traffic surveillance cameras that could have captured the accident on tape.
- If the vehicle is company-owned, the investigators check for problems with overloading, maintenance, and scheduling that could have contributed to the crash.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. Call me at (916) 921-6400 in the Sacramento area if you were injured in a truck accident for free and friendly advice. Our long-distance number is (800) 404-5400, and we also offer an online contact form.
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We’ve helped Sacramentans and other Northern Californians to get fair compensation for their traffic accidents, serious injuries, and wrongful deaths since 1982.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/highway-jam-traffic-pkw-autos-1761825/
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