Tractor-trailers serve an important role in today’s economy. However, many people who have driven on the nation’s roadways have likely witnessed the aftermath of several truck accidents. While most drivers are safe and professional, a slight mistake can have devastating consequences due to the sheer size of a tractor-trailer. For example, an accident in California has recently left one woman dead and several others injured.
The accident occurred just after 5 p.m. one evening in mid-August. Police suspect that the driver of a tanker truck containing approximately 55,000 pounds of wine was attempting to change lanes when the vehicle rear-ended a sports utility vehicle. The truck then struck a third vehicle. While the drivers of the tanker and third vehicle were unharmed, the occupants of the SUV did not fare as well.
One of the occupants, a 62-year-old woman, was transported to an area hospital for treatment, but she died approximately an hour after the accident. The other occupants of the SUV were also transported to a hospital. The extent of their injuries and their current conditions are unclear at this time. It is also unclear if the driver of the tanker truck will face criminal charges, although the incident likely remains under investigation.
Unfortunately, truck accidents such as this happen on a daily basis. Many people in California who have been injured in an accident such as this, or lost a loved one, have chosen to seek legal recourse in a civil court. Many who have been able to prove that the accident was caused by another’s negligence have been awarded monetary damages to help with the costs stemming from the accident. A successfully presented claim may allow for a person to focus on their emotional and physical recovery instead of an unstable financial future brought on by the ramifications of an accident caused by no fault of their own.
Source: kionrightnow.com, “Update: One person is dead in a massive big rig accident on the 101”, , Aug. 15, 2014
Source: kionrightnow.com, “Update: One person is dead in a massive big rig accident on the 101”, , Aug. 15, 2014