A major semi-truck crash on SR-125 at Interstate 8 in La Mesa left two people dead and several more injured. The crash reportedly occurred when a big rig lost control and hit the guardrail that separates the north and southbound lanes. It then careened through a concrete barrier and crashed into two passenger vehicles. Both the driver and passenger in one of the cars suffered fatal injuries.
The driver of the other passenger car suffered a broken leg and a child in the vehicle was transported to the hospital with major injuries. The child may not have been properly restrained in the back seat. The driver of the big rig and a passenger suffered minor injuries in the crash. The police are investigating the cause of the accident, which has not yet been determined. The big rig driver was being tested for drugs and alcohol. According to the report, the roadway was dry when the crash happened.
18-Wheeler Accidents
Large trucks are a necessity to transport goods across the country. Unfortunately, accidents with large trucks are all too common. When they occur they may result in serious injuries or fatalities. Big rigs can weigh more than 800,000 pounds and sometimes carry hazardous loads, making them extremely dangerous on the roads.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
● Speeding
● Failure to yield
● Driving while fatigued
● Improper lane change
● Tailgating
● Poor road or weather conditions
● Equipment malfunction
Every year thousands of people across the country are killed as the result of accidents with large trucks. In some cases the big rig driver is unhurt or suffers minor injuries while the driver of a passenger vehicle involved in the crash is seriously hurt or killed.
Crash Analysis
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) gathers and evaluates data from accidents from all 50 states. They released a report called the large truck crash causation study (LTCCS). One of the many areas of data found that truck drivers are often driving while fatigued. Truck drivers are often required to drive for long periods of time without rest, which could cause extreme fatigue. It has been found that driving while drowsy can impair a driver in much the same way as driving while intoxicated. Up to 75% of truck drivers reported that they made a driving error due to fatigue.
Injuries Due to Truck Crashes
Injuries caused by a collision with a large truck can be serious. Head trauma is among the most severe of injuries and may result in permanent damage. Neck and back injuries, broken bones, lacerations, contusions, and internal injuries are all possible when a truck crashes into a passenger vehicle.
If you were hurt as the result of an 18-wheeler accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the costs of medical treatment and ongoing care. Additionally, you may also receive money for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident, contact the experienced lawyers at the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea to learn more about your options.
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