August 12, 2021
Monday evening witnessed a tragic big rig crash on Highway 180 near San Benito Road. A Mendota man driving a Chevy Silverado got killed in the deadly crash.
The crash happened on August 9, around 7:30 p.m. The victim was driving westbound on the highway when he suddenly turned into the opposite lanes and collided head-on with a big rig.
Emergency crews that reached the scene of the accident declared the Mendota man dead. The victim was described as a male in his 60s. No other information about the victim was available.
According to the CHP, the driver of the big rig did not sustain any injuries.
The crash is being investigated and it is unknown whether speed, drugs, or alcohol played a role in the crash.
Big Rig crash / Semi-truck accidents
Being involved in big rig truck accidents can be a devastating experience. The size of a semi-truck tractor attached with several trailers is enormous as compared to the size of most other vehicles.
Hence when a big rig accident occurs, it is deadly. Big Rig Trucks or 18-wheelers can weigh up to 40 tons as compared to 80,000 pounds of a semi and 3,000-6,000 pounds of a passenger automobile.
In the United States, Big Rig Truck Accidents account for less than ten percent of all the highway and road accidents however they are responsible for around fifteen percent of all the vehicular deaths in the country. Big Rig trucks and commercial vehicle accidents generally end up causing serious catastrophic injuries and death.
Some of the most common causes of big rig truck accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Impaired driving
- High Speed
- Lack of experience
- Breaking traffic rules
Who can be held liable in Big Rig truck accidents?
Determining the liability in trucking accidents is much more complex than in a car accident. A truck accident generally involves more parties than just the drivers.
The list of potentially liable parties in a big rig truck accident are:
- Driver: The truck driver may be solely responsible or partially responsible for the accident. The driver may be tired, distracted or driving recklessly that causes the accident.
- Trucking Company: In cases where the trucking company is aware of the inexperience of the driver and yet allows the driver to be on the road, the trucking company can also be held responsible. Moreover, if the trucking company fails to conduct a thorough background check on the driver, they can be held liable. If the company is forcing the driver to work longer hours and not permitting the required number of hours of rest, they can be held liable.
- Manufacturer of the Truck: If the truck accident occurs due to a defect in the truck then the manufacturer of the truck, or the truck part, could be held liable for the truck accident. For example brake failure or tire burst.
- Truck Maintenance Company: The maintenance company is responsible for maintaining the truck and ensuring it is in good running condition. If they fail to do their job properly and the truck meets with an accident, they can be held responsible.
- Truck Loading Company: If the accident is caused due to improperly secured loading of the truck, the loading company can be held responsible for not securely loading the goods
The liability for a big rig truck accident can be split between several parties or could be directly related to only one person. An experienced accident lawyer can help determine the liability and ensure that the victim of a truck accident receives a just settlement.
Big Rig Truck Accident Lawyers California
If you or your dear one has been involved in a big rig truck accident, get in touch with an experienced Big Rig Truck Accidents Lawyer immediately.
As per California law, accident victims have a short time frame within which they are required to file a lawsuit for personal injuries against the liable parties. Failure to take action on time could result in the loss of the right to receive compensation! Get in touch with our team of experienced accident lawyers at Khashan Law on 951.461.2387 today.