Two Injured in Big Rig Accident
A big rig truck accident near Yuba City sent a man to a hospital with traumatic injuries.
Details of the Accident
On 12 July at around 2 a.m., a vehicle drifted to the shoulder of Highway 99 near Barry Road. Then, rumble strips along the road likely notified the driver of the approaching shoulder. Next, the driver swerved back into the lane.
A passing semi-truck struck the rear of the car as it reentered the lane. This sent the car into a nearby tree at full highway speeds. The collision also sent the semi-truck out of control. Swerving motions tipped the truck’s trailer, overturning the entire semi-truck. The truck was carrying Sierra Nevada beer.
Clean-up of the beer and both wrecked vehicles kept the southbound lanes of Highway 99 shut for nearly eight hours.
About the Injuries
The driver of the car suffered major injuries. Authorities have not released details of these injuries, but our truck accident lawyers have seen injuries ranging from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries in similar accidents.
The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries. Witness reports say the driver complained of neck and back pain. No additional information is available about his injuries.
Unconfirmed Update
An unconfirmed news article released one day after the accident reports that the driver of the car was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This report identifies the car driver as 41-year-old Baljinder Singh of Yuba City and the truck driver as 66-year-old Dan Dibenedetto of Chico.
Cause of the Accident
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating the cause of the accident. The immediate cause of the accident is likely driver fatigue. The actions of the sedan driver indicate that he was possibly falling asleep at the wheel.
However, the big rig driver’s actions may also have caused the accident. Truck drivers, like all drivers, have a responsibility to avoid accidents. This includes maintaining a safe distance between his vehicle and other vehicles on the road.
If the truck was following the car too closely, the truck driver may also be responsible for the accident.
Investigating What Happened
Accident reconstruction experts will likely be needed to determine if the truck driver was following the other vehicle too closely. These experts can examine skid marks and other elements of the accident site to determine the speed and locations of both vehicles involved.
Knowledgeable truck accident lawyers can help in these situations.
Government Liability in the Accident
The nature of the road may also be to blame in this accident. This accident occurred in the same area as three fatal accidents in 2017 alone. Therefore, the government may not be doing its part to ensure that the section of the roadway is safe for drivers.
Unsafe features of this stretch of road may include too few turns and insufficient lighting. Those wishing to file a claim against the government, though, must do so within six months. Experienced car accident lawyers can help victims navigate similar deadlines.
Yuba City Truck Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith and I am a Yuba City truck accident lawyer. Truck accidents can have devastating consequences. If a truck accident injures you or a loved one, please call me at (530) 392-9400. I can also be reached toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I have been practicing personal injury law for more than three decades. Over this time, I have represented countless truck accident victims.
You can read my injury lawyers and my reviews on Yelp, Avvo, and Google.
You may also view our Past Verdicts and Settlements page or my car accident data archive.
I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Forum, a group of top-ranked trial lawyers with million-dollar case verdicts.
Image Attribution: Ken Lund at Wikimedia Commons
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