Previous postings in this blog have discussed the increased level of danger and the potential for catastrophic injuries when a commercial motor vehicle is involved in a collision on the roadways of California. As residents of California can likely imagine, when more than one big rig is involved in a tractor-trailer accident, the outcome can potentially take an even sharper turn for the worse.
An accident that recently occurred in Pasadena involved three big rigs and three passenger vehicles. The crash occurred shortly after midnight in an underground transition tunnel. According to accident reports, one of the big rigs lost control while driving through the tunnel. The second big rig driver noticed and tried to get his vehicle out of the way. At the time of the incident, there were also three passenger vehicles in the tunnel. Both big rigs and all three passenger cars collided with one another.
Shortly after this initial collision, a third big rig entered the tunnel. As the driver noticed there was a collision, he attempted to miss most of it, but, unfortunately, the trailer of his vehicle was struck by the first big rig that initially lost control.
The accident resulted in some serious injuries. The driver of the first big rig was killed and two passengers from the vehicles also suffered injuries. California Highway Patrol officials are still investigating this accident in order to ultimately determine what caused the collision.
Drivers that operate big rigs and have commercial driver’s licenses, as well as their employers, are held to a higher standard of care than other drivers traveling the roadways of California. If the drivers and their employers do not meet this increased standard of care, their behavior may be considered negligent. If the negligent behavior leads to a truck accident, the driver of the big rig, as well as the driver’s trucking company, could potentially be held liable to provide compensation to the injured parties and their loved ones.
Source: ABC 7, “210 transition road reopens in Pasadena after 6-car crash,” Coleen Sullivan and Sid Garcia, Nov. 21, 2013
Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed
