Sacramento Injury Attorneys Blog
Accident on Old River Road Caused by Trailer That Broke Free From Semi
A tractor-trailer collision with a pickup truck east of Woodland caused serious damage on August 15. The truck accident happened around 8:42 p.m. along eastbound Old River Road at County Road 117 when the trailer being pulled by the big rig became unattached and crashed into a Chevy Tahoe. The individual who called in the accident reportedly said the trucker got out of their cab and forgot to put it in park.
Tractor-Trailer Collision Under Investigation
According to the report issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the pickup that was struck sustained major front-end damage in the collision. Although first responders with the Yolo Fire Department were at the scene, injuries in the collision had not been reported.
What Causes a Trailer on a Big Rig to Become Detached?
There are a number of ways in which a trailer can become detached from a big rig. If the tractor-trailer is moving at the time, this type of accident can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities to those in smaller vehicles, pedestrians and others. Some of the ways in which trailer detachment occurs are:
- Fast turns: The trailer can jackknife if the driver turns suddenly, causing it to separate from the cab.
- Truck maintenance issues: Trucking companies and their drivers are responsible for regularly inspecting and maintaining their vehicles to avoid a tractor-trailer collision. Problems with the hitch can result in the trailer becoming uncoupled.
- Speeding: Truck drivers must consider the type, weight and condition of their cargo when setting their speed. Trailers may detach if they are driven too fast while pulling heavy loads.
- Inclines: Trailer separation can happen if a heavy trailer is being towed down a steep incline, making braking impossible.
- Defects in the trailer hitch: A defective or poorly maintained trailer hitch can suddenly let go, which will cause a tractor-trailer collision.
- Overloaded trailers: A trailer that is overloaded can stress the hitch, causing it to pull loose.
Determining the Cause of a Tractor-Trailer Collision
An accident attorney can investigate to determine why a tractor-trailer collision occurred. As in the accident above, if injuries occurred, the injured party would be able to recover damages if negligence caused the collision. Any traffic accident has to be investigated if the injured party wants to file a claim. This is so the evidence can be collected to prove who the negligent party was and what caused the tractor-trailer collision. An accident lawyer will send investigators to the scene at soon as possible:
- The police report is reviewed for information and errors.
- Accident reconstruction is performed, which can show how the tractor-trailer collision occurred and show who was at fault.
- Witnesses of the accident are interviewed. In some instances, a witness taped the collision on their cell phone as it happened.
- Traffic surveillance cameras are checked to see if the accident was caught on a digital feed. If it was, the film can be subpoenaed.
Woodland Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Woodland tractor-trailer accident attorney. Accidents with a big rig are unexpected and often cause serious injuries to others. If you were injured by a trucker who was negligent, you are welcome to call us for free and friendly advice on whether you can file a compensation claim at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach us online.
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Photo attribution: Image by Sabine from Pixabay
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