Monday evening, a manufactured home haul ended in a multi-vehicle collision in Pasadena, California. The collision occurred around 7 pm on Monday, June 24th.
According to authorities, a semi-truck transporting a manufactured home was traveling westbound on I-210 when it collided with another semi and a Honda CRV.
The driver of the second semi-truck, Tarane Black, told authorities he had pulled off the roadway onto the shoulder before the crash because he was experiencing mechanical issues with his truck.
Black spoke with CBS News saying, “All of a sudden that load came through, I guess he couldn’t slow down or something and ran into the back of me there.”
A woman was resting in the sleeper area of Black’s truck when the crash occurred, she was transported to the hospital for treatment as she was thrown from the bed when the collision happened.
News footage of the wreck shows the collision caused considerable damage to Black’s trailer, and the manufactured home was also damaged, littering the roadway with debris.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision caused major traffic backups. All lanes were reopened by 9 am Tuesday.
Why Truck Accidents Are Dangerous
While all vehicle accidents are dangerous, accidents involving large trucks are particularly dangerous. This is due to the vast size and weight of large trucks.
The sheer size and weight of semi-trucks make them much harder to stop quickly, and when a collision occurs, the force of the impact is much greater and has the potential to be devastating. In a crash that involves a truck and a smaller vehicle like a car or SUV, the occupants of the smaller vehicle are at a significantly higher risk of severe injury or even death.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
There are many reasons a truck accident may occur, including:
- Driver Fatigue: truck drivers often work long hours and may drive for extended periods of time without adequate rest, leading to fatigue and reduced reaction times.
- Mechanical Failures: mechanical issues can cause unexpected stops or loss of control, leading to accidents.
- Poor Weather Conditions: weather conditions like rain, fog, and ice can make driving conditions hazardous, especially for large trucks which are more difficult to maneuver and stop on slippery roads.
- Driver Error: mistakes made by the truck driver or other motorists can lead to catastrophic collisions. This includes speeding, improper lane changes, and failure to yield.
- Improperly Loaded Cargo: if the cargo is not loaded or secured correctly, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable and increasing the risk of a rollover or jackknife accident.
“Our thoughts are with all those who were involved in the multi-vehicle collision that occurred earlier this week in Pasadena,” Says Brett Schreiber, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “Collisions involving large trucks have the potential to be devastating. We hope that everyone recovers swiftly and without complications. It is important that those involved know they may have legal recourse and could consider speaking with a personal injury attorney to learn more about the options available to them.”
Those involved may be able to file a personal injury claim. Who may be held accountable?
- The truck driver
- The trucking company that employs the truck driver
- The truck manufacturer
- Government or municipal entities responsible for maintaining the roads
- And more
To learn more about who may be liable, contact an attorney.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, contact the San Diego, CA semi-truck accident lawyers at Singleton Schreiber by calling (619) 771-3473 or via email at info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about they can help you.
