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Early Thursday morning, May 30th, a semi-truck traveling west on I-8 was overturned, killing the driver. Just before 3 am the incident was reported noting at least one vehicle was turned over on its side, according to a SigAlert from California Highway Patrol (CHP). The crash occurred in Mission Valley, near Hotel Circle Drive, and the Singleton Schreiber law office.
According to CHP reports, the man driving the box truck hit a curb which caused it to overturn. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and the truck slid across freeway lanes until it hit the center divider. The driver suffered major injuries and died at the scene, according to official reports.
CHP reports detailed that debris was scattered on the roadway, causing authorities to partially close some of the I-8 westbound lanes for several hours. Affected lanes were reopened by 6:15 am.
Authorities have not released the driver’s identity at this time.
Potential Avenues of Legal Recourse
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the victim of Thursday morning’s crash,” says Gerald Singleton, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “we hope that officials can swiftly determine the cause of the crash to bring the family some much-needed peace. Depending on the findings and other details, we find it important that they know they may have legal recourse and could consider consulting with a personal injury attorney to learn more.”
In the aftermath of this tragic accident, various legal avenues might be available for the family and loved ones of the victim. These options may include:
Wrongful Death Claims
The family of the deceased driver may have the right to file a wrongful death claim. Such claims are intended to compensate the survivors for their loss, including lost wages, funeral expenses, and emotional suffering. To succeed in a wrongful death lawsuit, the family would need to prove that another party’s negligence directly contributed to the accident.
Employer Liability
If the driver was employed by a trucking company at the time of the accident, the company could potentially be held liable. Employers are generally responsible for the actions of their employees when those actions occur within the scope of employment. In this case, the trucking company might be scrutinized for possible negligence, such as failure to provide proper training, maintenance of the truck, or complying with safety regulations.
Product Liability
In some instances, a defect in the truck or its components could contribute to an accident. If a mechanical failure, such as a brake malfunction or tire blowout, played a role in this crash, the manufacturer of the truck or the defective part could be held liable under product liability laws. This would involve proving that the defect existed at the time of manufacture and that it directly led to the accident.
Roadway Condition Claims
Claims can also arise from the condition of the roadway. If the curb that the truck struck was improperly designed, marked, or maintained, governmental entities responsible for the road might be held accountable. Proving this would require a detailed investigation into the design and maintenance records of the road where the crash occurred.
If you believe you may have a wrongful death or personal injury claim contact the San Diego injury attorneys at Singleton Schreiber to learn how they may be able to help. Call (619) 771-3473 or via email at info@singletonschreiber.com.
