Accident on Highway 50 Involves Big Rig
A fatal crash was reported in West Sacramento on May 26 along Highway 50. The accident was reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) sometime after 7:00 p.m. in the lanes heading westbound around Jefferson Boulevard. One lane remained open, allowing traffic to continue past. It appeared as though a big rig and at least one additional vehicle were involved in the crash. Lanes were reopened around 10:00 p.m. The accident is under investigation by the CHP to determine its cause.
Big Rig Accidents That Can Lead to a Fatal Crash
Large trucks can cause a fatal crash because of their enormous size, long stopping distance and poor maneuverability. Semi-truck crashes that can occur include the following:
- Blind spots: Blind spots on semis and other big commercial vehicles are wide and may be very large, especially along the trailer’s side. If the driver of the truck starts changing lanes, he may not be aware that there is another vehicle next to them. Without realizing it, the trucker can cause a fatal crash.
- Rollovers: Nearly half of all rollover truck accidents involve speeding. Due to a big rig’s high center of gravity, speeding around a curve can result in a rollover. A tire blowout, an emergency maneuver and other factors can cause the truck to roll.
- Jackknife accidents: A jackknife occurs when a tractor pulling a trailer is moving more slowly and can cause a fatal crash with other vehicles when the back of the truck swings around.
- Underride/override accidents: A speeding truck driver can pass over a smaller vehicle and cause a fatal crash. A smaller vehicle can be crushed underneath a truck that suddenly stops or the trailer swings sideways.
- Improperly packed cargo: The contents of an overloaded or badly loaded trailer may shift suddenly, causing a rollover that impacts other vehicles.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim to Recover Damages
When a loved one dies in an accident that never had to happen, grieving family members are also angry and confused. They also realize they may face financial problems due to that loss. By filing a wrongful death claim, they can continue grieving in peace, knowing the at-fault person is being held responsible for their loved one’s death and even obtain a sense of justice by this action.
A West Sacramento wrongful death lawyer can help by investigating the case and gathering the evidence needed to support the family’s claim. Negligence by the truck driver must be proved in the fatal crash for the family to file their claim for wrongful death. We find that negligence by:
- Examining the site of the fatal crash to gather evidence at the site
- Checking area surveillance cameras to see if the accident was captured on tape
- Reviewing the police report
- Checking the trucker’s driving record for previous citations
- Examining the records of the trucking company for signs of negligence or lack of maintenance on the vehicle
- Performing accident reconstruction to determine how the vehicles struck each other
West Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a West Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. When the driver of a big rig causes your accident injuries, you can find out whether you can recover damages by contacting us at (916) 921-6400. We can also be reached at (800) 404-5400 or by messaging us online. By setting up a free consultation for you either at our office or virtually, we can review your case and tell you whether you can obtain compensation and what the various options are. Our consultation with you carries no obligation on your part.
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Photo attribution: Image by Pexels from Pixabay
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