A truck driver was killed in a fiery Long Beach big rig truck accident the night of June 13, 2009, the Long Beach Press Telegram reports. Traffic accident investigators believe that the tanker trailer plunged off the road and into a river bed while making the transition from the eastbound 91 Freeway to the northbound 710 Freeway, California Highway Patrol officials said. The cause of the truck accident including the speed of the tanker is under investigation. Investigators believe the freeway columns may have suffered structural damage as a result of this fatal truck accident.
My heart goes out to the friends and family of this truck driver, who was fatally injured in this big rig truck accident. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers. It is indeed a relief that no one else was injured or killed in this horrific truck accident.
Based on this newspaper report, it appears that the driver of the tanker trailer for some reason lost control of the truck on the transition road and went off the road. There are several factors involved in a big rig accident. At Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, as big rig accident attorneys, we have observed that mechanical malfunction and motor vehicle defects are a major cause of truck accidents. Driver error could also contribute to these crashes. The most common factors involving driver error in big rig accidents include driver fatigue, alcohol or drug use, distracted driver and speeding or other types of recklessness. In this case, it is yet to be determined what caused this big rig accident.
If this big rig crash was caused by an auto product defect, the victim’s family may be able to claim compensation from the defective product manufacturer. The driver’s family would also more likely be covered by California workers compensation benefits. If a defective auto product is involved, the family of the deceased victim may be able to file a third party claim against the product manufacturer. Victims of on-the-job accidents would be well advised to contact experienced California personal injury attorneys who can give them more information about how to pursue their legal rights.