Another terrifying accident affected traffic overnight but, despite significant damage to property, only led to a single minor injury. This particular 5 Freeway crash was just one of many big rig accidents that will occur this year. Read on to get the details and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you need a free legal consultation about a big rig or other auto accident of your own.
Details of the Crash
The accident involved two semitrailers and occurred on Wednesday, March 11th, 2020. The crash spilled organic acid and hay along the 5 Freeway near Gorman. This mixture of spilled goods and jackknifed semi-trucks resulted in the closure of all northbound lanes, according to a spokesperson from the California Highway Patrol.
In the CHP incident log, the crash was reported just after 3 AM just south of the 138 interchange. The first part of the accident involved one big rig losing its cargo of hay bales onto the interstate. At that point, the second semi, which was carrying acid, struck the first semi and lost its own payload. Luckily, there was only one minor injury reported.
The Cause of the Accident is Still Under Investigation
The CHP has not yet released any information on the cause of the accident. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we have worked on many big rig accident cases. Some of the most common causes include errors by the truck driver, distracted drivers, defective parts, drunk drivers, improper loading and unsecured cargo, drowsy drivers, and negligence by the trucking company. The cause of this particular accident may end up being one or more of these.
The Second Truck Driver May Have Legal Options
From the information that has been released as of the writing of this blog, it appears that the second truck – the one carrying the acid – was not likely at fault. If they were, it would most likely be partial fault because the first truck was already crashed when the second truck hit it.
As a result, if the accident is found to be caused even partially by negligence, that second truck driver may have grounds for a personal injury claim. If they missed work as a result of the accident, that could be compensated for. Other damages they could receive compensation for including damage to their property, pain and suffering, lost earning capacity in the future, and emotional distress.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a big rig accident in California – or another type of motor vehicle accident – we urge you to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000. We can begin the process with a free legal consultation during which we will get the facts from you. We can then help you understand the best options to move forward. Call us now and we can get started immediately.
