Truck Collision

Today, one lane of northbound Highway 101 south was closed this morning after a severe big rig accident occurred yesterday afternoon on January 12. A San Luis Obispo Tribune story states that the truck driver died as a result of the accident and three others, a woman, an infant, and a young child, were injured.

Based on a California Highway Patrol (CHP) report, the collision took place slightly south of Buellton and approximately 25 miles south of Santa Maria when the big rig rear-ended the BMW sedan carrying the woman and children. As a consequence, the BMW struck the center railing of a bridge and the big rig plummeted almost 100 feet into the creek bed and caught on fire. The occupants of the car were taken by helicopter to a local hospital.

As this tragic accident demonstrates, large commercial trucking accidents are capable of causing serious injury and death. Sadly, many of these truck crashes are preventable. Some of the main causes of truck accidents include: driver fatigue, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, and other forms of negligent and reckless behavior.

As California big rig accident lawyers, the legal team at Van Der Walde & Associates is familiar with the serious financial, physical, and psychological consequences of truck crashes. With thorough knowledge and extensive experience, our attorneys work meticulously to protect the rights of our clients and hold negligent parties liable. To find out more about how we can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and other damages, call (877) 862-6288 today for a no-cost consultation.

The Associated Press reports that a big rig driver convicted of involuntary manslaughter was sentenced to seven years, four months in California state prison. The driver was convicted based on evidence that he ignored a warning from an off-duty firefighter who told him his route was too dangerous for a big rig. Instead of taking the freeway, he took a winding road through the desert, where his brakes started to smoke during his descent down the steep roadway. Instead of allowing his brakes to cool, he poured water on them and continued to drive.

In addition to the driver’s dangerous actions, the post-crash inspection revealed that the truck was not maintained properly. Five of the brakes were adjusted improperly or not working at all. The other five brakes showed signs of wear on the pads. The resulting California truck accident killed a man and his 12-year-old daughter. The judge made his ruling after listening to victim impact statements given by friends and relatives of the deceased.

When truck drivers ignore warnings and do not maintain their vehicles properly, it puts everyone on the road in danger. If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of a truck driver, contact the San Jose wrongful death attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates. We are dedicated to providing the legal and emotional support our clients need during such a difficult time. Call us today at (877) 862-6288 to discuss your case at no cost.

Tractor-trailers have been under scrutiny in recent months as the U.S. Congress plans to vote on two opposing bills concerning truck size and weight limits later this year. The bills in question are the Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act, or SHIPA, and the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act, or SETA. One of the major concerns for those opposing SETA is the threat of more deadly truck accidents.

Semi trucks, big rigs, and tractor-trailers are very long and very heavy, thus very intimidating to and dangerous for other motorists on Northern California roads. A truck accident in San Jose can cause serious injury, or even death to the occupants of smaller vehicles. Some of these accidents are caused by truck manufacturing or design defects, but many are caused by poor maintenance and truck operator error or negligence.

A truck manufacturing company has a duty to produce safe and efficient vehicles, especially when it is intended to haul tens of thousands of pounds of cargo on 18 wheels. If the brake system is faulty, a specific part malfunctions, or the trailer lights or reflectors do not work properly, it increases the risk of a serious truck crash.

Oftentimes, truck driver error and/or negligence are the cause of tractor-trailer crashes in San Jose. Fatigued driving is likely the most common form of driver negligence. Although there are strict federal regulations that govern the number of hours truck drivers are allowed to drive without sleep, many drivers are pressured to violate them in order to make their deliveries on time. Though it may get them to their destination faster, driving while fatigued threatens the safety of other drivers and passengers on the road, as the driver would have slower reaction times and could even fall asleep at the wheel.

Semi truck accidents may also be caused by improperly loading or overloading the trailer, not maintaining the trucks systems and tires, speeding, inexperienced driving, or distracted driving. Not following traffic laws and/or federal truck regulations makes a truck ever more dangerous to motorists on the road.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a large truck accident caused by truck driver negligence or defective manufacturing, the skilled San Jose big rig accident attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates can help you understand your legal rights and options. Contact us today for a consultation at 877-862-6288.

The destruction often left behind after a big rig accident can be immense, and the aftermath can affect a larger number of individuals than those actually involved in the incident. According to San Jose’s Mercury News, a big rig accident that took place near the Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County border blocked northbound traffic on Highway 17, forcing many motorists to find alternate routes of travel. Unfortunately, a second accident on Highway 9, the primary alternate route, further impeded traffic. As a result, motorists had to search yet again for alternate routes, with a number of smaller accidents taking place throughout those routes soon after the primary crash.

The driver of the truck involved in the initial crash was reportedly uninjured, while the driver of the truck involved in the Highway 9 crash was injured. No further details about the extent of the driver’s injuries or whether other motorists were involved were made available in the report.

As exemplified by this crash, the actions of one can have a great impact on many individuals. In the event that a motorist is involved in a big rig crash, it is of the utmost importance that the motorist first seek medical attention to ensure their well being, and then retain the services of an experienced Santa Clara truck accident attorney who will ensure their rights as accident victims are not infringed upon in a court of law.

At Van Der Walde & Associates, our experienced Sunnyvale personal injury attorneys will examine the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine where negligent action may have contributed to your injuries. For more information about your rights as a Santa Clara truck accident victim, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at 877-862-6288. We offer free case evaluations.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines a “large truck” as one that weighs more than 10,000 pounds. An 18-wheeler tractor-trailer can weigh over eight times as much: over 80,000 pounds. Such a rig can weigh 40 times as much as a car. A truck of that size traveling among passenger cars poses an inherent risk to the cars’ drivers and passengers.

Unfortunately, many of those risky trips end badly. According to the NHTSA, approximately 416,000 accidents involving large trucks occurred in the United States in 2004. Those accidents left more than 5,000 people dead and 116,000 people injured. Of the victims, 77% of those who died and 73% of those who were injured were in passenger vehicles.

Truck accident cases in San Jose and throughout Northern California often involve severe injuries and pose unique legal problems and concerns. Anyone involved in a truck accident, along with their loved ones, should immediately seek help from an experienced accident attorney. When an accident occurs, it’s important to have someone on your side who can examine the specific facts of your case and determine whether negligence caused your injuries and who should be held accountable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to contact the skilled San Jose truck crash injury attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates. Our lawyers will examine your case and help you seek damages that may help compensate you for costs associated with your accident. Please call us today at 877-862-6288 for a free consultation.

Source:http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810646.PDF