Major Collision Involving Two Semis Sends at Least One Person to the Hospital
At least one person was transported to a hospital following a September 9 major collision in Sacramento between four vehicles, which included two big rigs. The accident occurred around noon along northbound I-5 just north of the Garden Highway exit ramp near Discovery Park. According to the report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident also involved a black Hyundai Elantra and a BMW. One of the semis involved in the collision was hauling a trailer loaded with barrels of an unknown liquid.
Highway Closed for Several Hours to Investigate Crash
The BMW was reported as having significant damage along one side. A heavy-duty tow truck had to be called for one of the semis that was pulling two trailers and lost a wheel. A Sigalert was issued to other motorists to find alternate routes because the accident was expected to block traffic for at least one to two hours. The CHP is investigating the cause of the major collision.
Multiple-Vehicle Crashes
Some of the worst accidents involve a multiple-vehicle crash. This is due to the complexity of such accidents. For instance, on a high-capacity, high-speed road, vehicles are traveling with little room between them. This environment limits the driver’s ability to avoid a major collision. There are several ways this type of crash happens:
- A vehicle is traveling too close to a lead car, making it impossible for it to stop in time to avoid an accident. When this happens on a congested highway, the lead vehicle is usually pushed into the car in front of it. This may happen several times, involving additional vehicles. On some occasions, the vehicles may not be driven forward but may end up in an adjacent lane. Cars in the adjoining lane may become involved in the major collision.
- Speeding is a common cause of a multiple-vehicle crash for several reasons. First, a speeding driver will lose some measure of control over his vehicle. Second, this lack of control may result in the vehicle veering across lanes and into other cars or trucks in its vicinity. The speeding driver also cannot stop in time to avoid colliding with other vehicles. Such collisions are especially dangerous if a truck is involved, causing an override or underride accident.
- As the multiple-vehicle crash continues, vehicles may try to avoid involvement and, due to the congestion, go into adjacent lanes or dart in and out of traffic. As more cars become involved, it creates a chain-reaction effect.
Why Are Multiple-Vehicle Crashes So Deadly?
One of the biggest problems is that vehicles may be hit many times after the first impact in a multiple-vehicle crash. Since airbags are useless after the initial collision, the drivers and occupants lack sufficient protection. Additionally, side impacts are common. This type of impact presents a problem since the vehicles’ sides lack the protection of the front and rear areas.
Another potentially deadly problem is the difficulty rescue personnel have reaching injured drivers and vehicle occupants. This may lead to a higher incidence of fatalities since life-saving help is unavailable.
Fires are a big problem in a major collision of this type. Fire can be due to leaking fuel, which can erupt into flames and spread to adjacent vehicles. Once again, firefighters may be unable to reach the car and extinguish the fire.
Investigating a Major Collision
Multiple-vehicle accidents are complex, and determining liability can be difficult. That is why we send our investigators to the scene of the accident as soon as possible. On many occasions, the major collision is the fault of the driver who initially caused the accident. However, the carelessness of subsequent drivers can be a liability. Our investigators use accident reconstruction to sort it out and obtain videos from different sources to determine fault. Witnesses also provide helpful information. Our lawyers rely on this evidence when they endeavor to build a strong case for our clients.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. I am here to provide free and friendly advice if another’s negligence injured you. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach out to me by using our convenient contact form online.
I’ve helped numerous Sacramentans since 1982 obtain the compensation they deserve in all types of car accidents, wrongful deaths and other traumas.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
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