California Injury Blog
One person died and several others were injured in a Los Angeles car accident after a tractor-trailer rig lost its brakes and crashed on the southbound 5 Freeway near the Grapevine. According to a CBS news report, the fatal truck accident occurred the evening of August 23, 2009. At least three people suffered head injuries and one person was killed, California Highway Patrol officials said.
My heart goes out to all the victims who were injured as a result of this Los Angeles truck accident. I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased car accident victim. Please keep them in your prayers. I also wish the other injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
California Truck Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 260 deaths and 27,110 injuries involving car accidents in the city of Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 712 deaths and 56,475 injuries were reported involving car accidents in 2007. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s statistics, there were 361 fatal accidents involving large trucks in California in 2007 and 10,635 injury accidents involving big rigs during that same time. California tops the list of states with the highest number of fatal and major injury truck accidents.
In this case, I would be very curious to see what investigators find out about the truck and why the tractor-trailer’s brakes malfunctioned at the time of the car crash. I would also want to find out whether the big rig’s brakes failed because the truck was overloaded or because the big rig was not maintained properly. Whether the reason for the failure was overloading or lack of proper maintenance, the driver and the trucking company could be held liable for wrongful death and serious personal injury caused as a result of this accident.
Los Angeles Truck Accident Liability Issues
The people who were injured in this truck accident may have substantial rights to compensation for their losses and injuries. Not only is the truck driver responsible but also his employer and the owner of the truck will be liable. If the truck’s maintenance was being done by an additional independent party, they may have some liability as well. The tractor-trailer’s owner may be looking to the maintenance contractor to cover all damages this car collision caused, if it is determined to have occurred due to the failed brakes.
With a number of parties potentially responsible for the collision, it would be a good idea for the injured victims to consult a reputed Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who is experienced with truck accidents and multiple party claims before giving any statements or signing any documents or agreements.