Semi Dangles in Air in I-5 Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton truck accident lawyer. An accident on Interstate 5 caused major traffic problems and left the cab of a semi dangling above the overpass near the water channel. Three northbound lanes were blocked off.
Accident Details
A truck acident in Stockton happened at about 5:45 in the morning as a semi and a smaller truck were attempting to merge into the exit for Pershing Avenue. The driver of the semi ran into the smaller pickup, causing the semi to partially leave the interstate as the cab jumped over the overpass guardrails. The semi’s hood and bumper as well as a few gallons of fuel fell into a boat launch parking lot below the overpass. None of the debris hit anyone in the parking lot nor did it enter the water. A California Highway Patrol (CHP) spokesperson said that if the fuel had fallen into the water, cleanup efforts would have been complicated. As Caltrans and the CHP dealt with traffic control, tow truck workers were hanging in the air using harnesses in an effort to get the truck back on the roadway.
Injuries in the Crash
According to the CHP, the big truck’s driver pulled himself from the cab and climbed down to safety. Authorities said that the cab could have separated from the trailer during this maneuver. He was taken to an area hospital for examination of what was described as minor injuries. The pickup’s driver complained of neck pain. It is unknown if he was also transported to a medical facility.
Truck Safety
Truck drivers often have a difficult time moving from one lane to another, particularly when hauling a long trailer. In order to merge lanes, the driver might swing his cab into an adjacent lane, realigning it with the trailer. In performing a quick maneuver, a large truck risks a jackknife or rollover accident.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents happen when the cab and the trailer are misaligned. In such cases, the cab is moving at a slower speed than the trailer due to the weight of the trailer. In some cases, a truck driver tries to avoid hitting another vehicle and swerves in the opposite direction. This movement can initiate a jackknife accident.
In 2014, 193 people died due to jackknife accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Beyond that, approximately 1,000 individuals were injured in such accidents. As with other truck accidents, smaller passenger vehicle occupants suffer the bulk of the injuries. These can include:
- traumatic brain injury
- pelvic fracture
- internal injuries
- spinal cord damage
- burn injuries may ensue if the truck fire ignites.
Rollover Accidents
Rollovers happen less often than other types of accidents but frequently involve fatalities as cited by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Speed is a causative factor in slightly less than half of rollovers. The disparity between the weight of the trailer and that of the cab is a core problem area. When speed is increased, the difference between the two is exaggerated, and the possibility of a rollover is increased. Rollovers occur many often near exits or entrances on a highway.
Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton truck accident lawyer. When a truck accident takes the life of a family member or if you are injured by a trucker’s negligence, you need the help an experienced truck accident lawyer can provide. Reach out to me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 as soon as possible. You can also contact me online at AutoAccident.com. I’ll go over your options and offer friendly and free advice.
I’ve helped Northern California residents, including those in Stockton, with wrongful death claims, pedestrian and car accidents during the past 35 years as an injury lawyer.
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Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/en/car-accident-roadside-cloudy-car-1921347/
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