Joseph Navarro, 29, was critically injured in a San Bernardino car accident after his vehicle went under a tractor-trailer. According to a news report in The San Bernardino County Sun, the fatal car accident occurred the night of December 18, 2010 on Slover Avenue near Elm Avenue in Fontana. Navarro was eastbound on Slover in his 2004 Mercedes Benz when he tried to pass a tractor-trailer. Navarro’s car swerved to the left and hit the trailer, police said. The vehicle got stuck under the truck. Navarro was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Joseph Navarro for what they are going through at this time. I wish Navarro the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this injured victim and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 14 fatalities and 627 injuries involving car accidents in Fontana. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 263 people died and 8,504 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) truck accident statistics, there were 304 fatal truck accidents and 3,196 injury crashes involving trucks, in California, in 2008.
Truck Underride Accident
Based on this news report, it is not quite clear what caused Navarro to swerve and his vehicle to go under the tractor-trailer. When vehicles get stuck under tractor-trailers, it is known as a “truck underride” accident. An “underride” crash occurs when a vehicle rear-ends a higher chassis truck, goes under the truck leading to a “passenger compartment intrusion”.
Big rigs are required to have bumpers about 20 inches above the ground in order to prevent such “underriding.” These types of accidents could result in serious brain injuries, spinal cord injuries or death. The Department of Transportation Safety Standards and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require these rear impact guards be installed on full trailers and semi-trailers over 10,000 pounds. This applies to vehicles manufactured on or after January 26, 1998.
Liability Issues
In this particular case, it is not clear if the Mercedes rear-ended or slipped under the truck sideways. But if the trucking company violated federal safety standards with regard to the rear guards, they could be held liable for the serious injuries caused to Navarro. An experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.
Seriously injured in a San Bernardino County car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Fontana truck accident. Call 800-25-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys San Bernardino personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.