Sacramento Big Rig Rollover Causes Fuel Leak
A big rig rollover accident happened in Sacramento on October 21 when the driver lost control and plunged off an off-ramp and down an embankment. The accident occurred as the driver was moving south on Interstate 5 and took the off-ramp exit onto Richards Boulevard southbound at about 10:00 in the morning. There were no injuries reported from the collision, and the driver was seen outside of his vehicle, inspecting the damage when officers arrived. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating to determine why the driver lost control in the big rig rollover of his truck.
Fuel Spill Causes Concern
The oil tanker truck landed off the edge of the roadway, spilling around 7,500 gallons of ethanol. According to those on the scene, the tank was punctured. The ethanol was running down into a storm drain, which empties into the American River downstream from the water intake plant. Officers with the CHP and two Hazmat rigs, as well as emergency personnel with the Sacramento Fire Department, were called to the scene of the big rig rollover accident. Hazmat personnel deployed booms to contain the fuel spill. At the time of this report, no ethanol has been detected in the river.
Clean Up Expected to Take Considerable Time
A SigAlert was issued to warn motorists that both the on-ramp and off-ramp for Richards Boulevard were closed due to the big rig rollover and to seek alternate routes. Because of the fuel spill, it was expected to take an undetermined amount of time to handle the problem. Motorists along I-5 seemed to be largely unaffected by the accident at the time of this report. However, it was reported that the number four lane was expected to be shut down to aid in handling the accident. An update to the incident timeline reported that the closure, which began at about 8:00 p.m for cleanup, was lifted at approximately 11:00 p.m.
Why Do Truck Drivers Lose Control of Their Vehicle?
Driving a truck is different than operating a passenger vehicle. The weight alone is an overriding factor, considering that the average truck weighs in the neighborhood of 80,000 pounds, while a passenger vehicle comes in at about 4,000 pounds. In addition, the length of a big rig is about 80 feet. Maneuvers such as turning, which is simple in a passenger vehicle, can be difficult in a big rig. The dimensions and weight of a big rig have an immediate effect on the ability of the truck to come to a complete stop. Generally, a loaded truck traveling at about 55 mph takes the length of two football fields to stop. Finally, speed makes a difference when it comes to stopping. The speed of a vehicle times its mass equals the momentum the truck must overcome to stop. In short, the faster a truck is going, the longer it will travel before coming to a complete halt.
Entrance and Exit Ramps
A truck driver must slow their vehicle as they enter an exit ramp due to traffic and the shape and length of the ramp. Sometimes, there is a 20-mph discrepancy between the speed at which the vehicle was traveling and the safe speed limit of the ramp. For a truck driver, this is not an easy task. Ordinarily, the driver will be aware of the ramp’s placement and begin to slow down as they are approaching it. Once on the ramp, the driver’s speed must be cut to a minimum to avoid a big rig rollover. If the driver enters the ramp at a speed that is too high, the chance of an accident is increased. Aside from driver error pertaining to speed, a trucker who is distracted may be unaware of the exit until they are on top of it, causing them to enter while traveling too fast.
What an Attorney Can Do for You
Many motorists are injured in a truck accident on the entrance and exit ramps. In addition, when the truck is carrying toxic liquids or chemicals, there is concern over the contamination of water supplies in the area as well as harm to people and livestock. The complexity of a truck accident requires a legal team experienced in handling such incidents. At our firm, we are prepared to send our investigators to the scene of the truck accident. They will evaluate the damage and speak to witnesses and hazmat authorities to obtain a clear vision of what happened. In addition, our investigators check for evidence as to why the crash occurred and determine who was at fault. After this information is gathered, we release it to our lawyers, who use it to build a solid case for our client.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. A truck rollover is a dangerous situation and can result from driver negligence. When you are injured by this, I can help. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also contact me online.
I have worked for clients in the Sacramento area for over 37 years, helping them receive the compensation they deserve. Some of the areas are all types of car accidents, traumatic injuries, and wrongful death.
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Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_125527484_l-2015
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