Gustavo Gracia, 33, was killed in a California car accident the morning of September 17, 2009, after a big rig flipped over and crushed his car on the 5 Freeway in Oceanside, California. According to a news report in the San Diego Union Tribune, Gracia was in a Lexus sedan on the 5 Freeway’s transition to Route 78 when the truck rolled on its left side while the driver was negotiating a turn and hit the sedan. Gracia suffered major head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver, 32-year-old Jerry Jimerson, sustained minor injuries. California Highway Patrol officials are looking into why the big rig, a 1996 Freightliner pulling a 32-foot cargo container, tipped over. Officials say they will perform a thorough inspection of the truck.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Gustavo Gracia for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Gracia. Please keep them in your prayers.
California Truck Accident Statistics
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2007 truck accident statistics, there were 361 fatal big rig accidents in California and 3,737 injury accidents involving large trucks in California. Although trucks make up less than 4 percent of all passenger vehicles on U.S. roads, they are involved in 12 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities. More than 4,000 people die every year in truck accidents and more than 80,000 are seriously injured, according to FMCSA statistics. More people die in truck accidents than in collisions with planes, trains, ships and buses combined.
There are many reasons why truck accidents occur. But, as we saw in this fatal Oceanside car accident, when a truck collides with a passenger vehicle, it is the occupants of the passenger vehicle who suffer catastrophic injuries. In this particular case, we don’t know yet what caused the trailer to tip over and crush the Lexus. It is, of course, possible the trailer tipped over because it was overloaded. Also, a mechanical problem or malfunction in the truck from lack of maintenance could be the cause of this collision. If this accident was the fault of the truck driver or if it involved overloading or vehicle maintenance issues, the trucking company could be held liable for Gracia’s injuries and wrongful death.
Contacting an Experienced California Personal Injury Lawyer
Gustavo Gracia’s family would be well-advised to retain the services of a skilled San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will keep up with the CHP investigation and make sure the negligent parties are held responsible. In such cases, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of wages, loss of love and companionship and other related damages. The truly reputable California personal injury lawyers will offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation to injured victims and their families.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our source for the facts is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.
We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.