We have just watched this dramatic footage of an eighteen-wheeler crash in Anaheim that we think highlights the potential dangers these vehicles pose to California drivers. In the video, we see a semi-truck strike a vehicle and then slam through the center divider. The debris then showered down onto oncoming traffic.
The accident happened near the 55 Freeway and police say the truck was traveling eastbound on 91 when it struck the vehicle next to it. Then the driver of the large truck lost control and struck the divider. Two other vehicles were hit with debris from the crash. We know that one person was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
This accident could have been much worse, as many large truck accidents are. At the Compass Law Group, we are here if you need a truck accident attorney.
These Are Major Incidents
Think about how many large trucks you see in and around Anaheim on a daily basis. The state of California has one of the largest economies in the world and much of our economic success relies on large trucks.
The problem is that these vehicles can cause significantly more damage in an accident than regular vehicles do. They weigh tens of thousands of pounds when carrying their cargo and can affect so many vehicles around them at a time. When they are involved in an accident, they can sheer through a regular vehicle.
We know that there are more than 15.5 million trucks on the roadways in the United States, many of them operating across California. Alarmingly, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased by 3 percent last year.
For the latest reporting year in California, there were thousands of people injured in truck accidents.
What Goes Wrong
We want to focus on the two main causes of large truck crashes: driver error and vehicle failure.
Drivers of large commercial trucks have a huge responsibility. They must be thoroughly trained on each vehicle they are asked to operate after they receive their commercial driver’s license. Truck drivers must follow all state and federal regulations when they are driving. This includes only operating only the allowable amount of hours each day and carrying the correct amount of weight.
Under no circumstances should a truck driver ever be operating while impaired by drugs or alcohol or while distracted by their phones or other devices.
Truck companies also have a responsibility to the public. They must regularly inspect and maintain the vehicles in their fleet. Vehicle failure can lead to catastrophic results. If a company does not do its job, it could be held liable for injuries.
If You Are Injured
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident and you believe the truck driver or truck company is to blame, seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At the Compass Law Group, our qualified and experienced team will work with you to investigate what happened so we can secure the compensation you deserve for all of your accident-related expenses.
