Semi Wedged Underneath Overpass Along SR 99
A reported speeding vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer on July 19 on a Sacramento off-ramp, which ended up getting the semi wedged underneath an overpass. The collision was reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as occurring at around 9:20 a.m. along southbound State Route 99 just north of the eastbound Florin Road off-ramp. One individual involved in the collision was reported by the Sacramento Fire Department as needing medical attention.
Additional Details of the Speeding Vehicle Crash
The fully loaded, 75,000-pound semi was struck by a Chrysler 300 that was reported as speeding. The collision destroyed the semi’s suspension in front. The tractor-trailer swerved off the roadway, struck a guardrail and became stuck on the right-hand side under the overpass. The semi had a leak as a result and spilled around 75 gallons of diesel fuel on the ground. The Chrysler sustained major front-end and left-side damage and had to be towed from the scene.
Special Equipment Needed to Free Stuck Tractor-Trailer
A SigAlert was issued warning other motorists to find alternate routes because of the difficulty of extracting the tractor-trailer, which required special equipment. In addition, personnel were required to clean up the diesel spill. One of the lanes on the off-ramp was blocked, and traffic was congested in the area until the accident site was cleared. The CHP is investigating the incident.
Dangers of a Speeding Vehicle
Speeding is one of the major causes of a serious traffic accident. According to the National Safety Council, around 29 percent of all traffic fatalities involved a speeding vehicle in 2019. Speeding reduces the amount of time it takes for a vehicle to stop in an emergency situation. In addition, it reduces the ability of protective devices such as attenuators, guardrails and median dividers to lessen the impact of a crash and protect those inside the vehicle.
Speeding Is Reckless Driving
Speeding is considered a form of reckless driving. Other types of reckless driving include:
- Running through a stop sign or red light
- Driving over 10 miles above the speed limit
- Distracted driving such as talking on a cell phone, texting or any other activity that takes the drivers eyes, hands or thoughts off the roadway
- Racing
- Failing to yield to other drivers, pedestrians and others with the right of way
- Drugged driving
- Drunk driving
- Failure to use turn signals
- Passing on the shoulder
- Tailgating
- Going on a road or street in the wrong direction
- Crossing multiple traffic lanes in the same maneuver
- Driving on the sidewalk
Seeking Advice From a Lawyer
When someone has been injured by another person’s negligent actions, they may wish to file a claim for compensation. This can be used to cover all of their medical costs caused by the accident, the wages they lost from being unable to work and for their pain and suffering. Over the years, we’ve handled many such claims successfully. Reach out to us to have have your questions answered, tell you whether you can file a claim and what your options are. There is no charge to call and talk to us.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Negligent drivers cause many injuries every year. If one caused your accident, I have free and friendly advice to offer you when you phone me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. An online form is available also if you prefer to send me a message.
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My legal team and I have helped many people from Northern California since 1982 to get fair compensation for all kinds of traffic accidents and other personal injuries as well as wrongful deaths.
Attributed photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/accident-truck-bridge-vehicle-1771946/
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