Accident on Highway 50 Trans Ramp Caused by Jackknifed Big Rig
A jackknife accident involving a big rig shut down traffic on the Highway 50 trans ramp in Sacramento for more than an hour as the site was cleared. The accident occurred on the ramp off the West Side Freeway around 7:10 a.m., when the big rig jackknifed across the lanes, causing two other vehicles to spin out into the mud. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that traffic came to a complete stop until vehicles began passing on the right-hand side.
Sigalert Issued to Warn of Sacramento Jackknife Accident
A Sigalert was quickly issued warning motorists that I-5 northbound at the Highway 50 trans ramp had all of the lanes blocked due to the collision. No time of reopening was estimated, and no detours were provided. All traffic was diverted to the eastbound side of the road. A K-rail was damaged in the jackknife accident and in the roadway that had to be replaced by Caltrans. The road reopened around 8:18 a.m. No injuries were reported.
The Dangers of a Jackknife Accident
Jackknife accidents occur when the tractor of a big rig is moving slower than the trailer it is pulling. The speed difference makes the trailer swing around to the side in the shape of a jackknife. By doing so, it can collide with other nearby vehicles, causing serious injuries or fatalities, especially if the trailer rolls over. A jackknife is especially dangerous when it occurs at highway speeds because it can result in a chain-reaction crash involving multiple vehicles.
Jackknife Collisions Are Often Caused by Negligence
When a big rig jackknifes, some type of negligence is often involved. Some of the common reasons for this type of dangerous collision include:
- Bad brakes occur frequently in big rigs and cause around 40 percent of all accidents. In addition, big rigs have multiple sets of brakes. If the wrong set is used to try and stop the truck, a jackknife can occur.
- Going into a skid and losing traction can result in a jackknife. In these cases, the driver is probably speeding or going too fast for the weather conditions.
- Distracted driving can lead to one of these dangerous accidents. Although truckers are not supposed to talk on a cell phone, text or perform other activities that can take their eyes off the road, they often do so anyway to avoid boredom or to talk to their dispatch.
- Road conditions that aren’t up to par can lead to a jackknife accident. Potholes, cracks and upheavals in the pavement and objects in the roadway can lead to a big rig collision. The government entity charged with roadway maintenance may be liable in these cases. Since a claim against a government entity in California has to be filed within six months, using a lawyer to handle it and to arbitrate your claim is a good idea.
- Driver fatigue is common in truck drivers because of the long hours they spend behind the wheel. A fatigued driver has slowed reflexes and reaction time, which means they are more apt to become involved in a collision.
Contacting a Truck Accident Lawyer
Negligence that leads to a truck accident can involve the driver, trucking company, bad maintenance, road conditions and federal and state law violations. For these reasons, enlisting the help of a truck accident lawyer is necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve when you’ve been injured. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and let you know about options to recover damages.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. A jackknife accident can cause severe injuries to other motorists. If you were injured by a negligent trucker, you have the right to claim compensation. Contact our injury lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for their free and friendly advice. If you would rather, we also offer an online contact form.
Belonging to the following organizations is a privilege and honor for us: Million Dollar Advocates and the Top 1 Percent. You can also discover how our injury lawyers helped others by clicking on the links that follow:
Photo attribution: Image by Denise McQuillen from Pixabay
:cd llo [726]