Whenever a car accident occurs on the roadways of California, there is always a lot at stake for anyone that is involved. There may be injuries to deal with, and there may be lawsuits that arise as a result. However, in the case of a truck accident, there may sometimes seem like there is even more at stake.
The sizes of commercial motor vehicles make the possibility of life-threatening injuries even greater. In addition, truck drivers with a commercial driver’s license are held to a higher standard of care when they travel the roads in these extremely large and, sometimes, hazardous-material-filled vehicles. If they are found to be the negligent party in an 18-wheeler accident, it may mean the loss of their CDL and, therefore, the loss of their livelihood.
Given the information above, it is understandable why a truck driver may be alarmed and scared, when involved in a car accident. Maybe that is the reason that a big rig driver that was recently involved in a multi-vehicle accident fled the scene of the crash.
According to reports, the accident occurred shortly after 2:00 in the morning. The driver of the semi was driving north when he allegedly ran a red light and crashed into two vehicles that were both traveling west.
One individual died at the scene of the accident. The condition of the other parties that were involved was not immediately released. The semi driver stopped his vehicle and abandoned it on the street, just north of where the accident occurred. Police are still in search of the driver.
Although it is understandable why the driver of the semi would be scared, it is important that all involved parties stay at the scene of the accident. If it is determined that his negligence caused the car accident, the injured parties and the surviving loved ones of the fatally injured party may be able to file a lawsuit and recover damages from the driver and his employer.
Source: Los Angeles Times, “Big-rig driver flees scene of fatal multi-vehicle crash in Fontana,” Ruben Vives, Jan. 30, 2014