Southern California Accident Blog

Large Percentage of Truck Accidents Occur in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties

California truck accidents are frequent. A majority of large truck accidents occur in the Southern California counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino.

The Dangers of Improperly Loaded Trucks

Improperly loaded trucks are dangerous and can lead to serious accidents. Contact a Los Angeles truck accident attorney at Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at (800) 350-8888 if you have been injured in a truck accident in Southern California.

San Diego Truck Accidents Cause Devastation

The newest figures are in and what these numbers reflect are frightening.  In 2008, more than 4,000 people died in truck accidents nationally.  The state of California is no different.  Every year, thousands of people are injured in truck accidents.  In 2008, there were 4,594 injuries caused by truck collisions in California alone.

There are many factors involved in truck crashes, which make these collisions especially devastating.  A San Diego truck accident can result in serious injuries and death partly because of the fact that these vehicles weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger cars and some safety experts believe it can take longer for a fully loaded truck to stop.  Researchers have also found that truck accidents involve such factors as brake problems, drug use, driving too fast for conditions and driver fatigue.

People who are injured in Southern California truck accidents have rights and can pursue compensation.  Depending on the details of the collision, the accident victim may be able to hold the trucker and trucking company accountable.  In the case of defective brakes, the brake manufacturer could also be responsible.

For more information, contact Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at 800-350-8888 and read the article titled, Large Truck Accidents Claimed More Than 4,000 Lives in 2008.

Drowsy Truckers Cause Many California Truck Accidents

Driver fatigue is listed as one of the top ten causes of truck accidents.  Truckers are under enormous pressure to deliver their loads on time.  This pressure comes not only from the trucking companies, but also the shippers.  When unforeseen delays, such as traffic jams, poor weather or road closures, put these truckers behind schedule, they often make the fatal mistake of continuing on without a break or rest.

Drowsy truckers cause countless truck accidents in California.  A tired trucker has a slower response to hazards on the road and often is too slow in reacting to a near accident.  As a result, the driver may crash his big rig, which can weigh up to 80,000, into another vehicle, causing a catastrophic outcome.  California big rig accidents can lead to serious and permanent injuries.  In some cases, a Southern California truck accident can cause death.

There is something known as hours-of-service that truckers are supposed follow.  It is a federal guideline that sets the amount of hours a trucker is allowed to travel without taking a break.  For the most part, California law follows this federal regulation, but there are some exceptions.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County or other area in California, you should contact a California truck accident attorney at Steinberg & Spencer at 1-800-350-8888 for a free legal consultation.

Confusion Regarding Runaway Ramp May Have Caused Grapevine Truck Accident

A woman was killed recently in a truck accident on the Grapevine, a portion of the 5 freeway.  According to a news report, confusion regarding a runaway ramp may have been a factor in the big rig accident.

On Sunday, August 23, 2009, 67-year-old Sumiko Imamura was fatally injured after an out-of-control truck slammed into her Mazda sport utility vehicle.  The truck had lost its brakes, as it travelled north on the 5 freeway at Fort Tejon.  It gained speed as it went down the hill and into the fast lane.  This tragic California truck accident occurred just north of a runaway escape ramp located on the west side of the road.  The impact of the truck collision caused the SUV to go into a dirt embankment, where it rolled over.  Imamura was ejected from the vehicle.

Even after the semi truck hit Imamura’s vehicle, it continued on and struck a Ford pickup and the debris from the crash hit a Subaru Impreza.  The truck didn’t stop until it reached Laval Road.

Just two days after this fatal California semi truck accident, news came out that confusion regarding the runaway ramp may have caused the crash.  According to reporters, the trucker may have been able to use one of the two runaway truck ramps that were close by.  However, there were two posted signs that said one of the ramps was closed.  Apparently, the California Highway Patrol had requested Cal Trans to remove the closure lights, but it hadn’t been done.

If you have been injured in a truck accident on the Grapevine or other area in California, you should contact Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at 1-800-350-8888.