While the following accident occurred a month ago, it still highlights the dangers of trucks out on the road. A truck suddenly veered off of Highway 99 near Bakersfield and crashed into a pole, killing the driver and eventually sending the truck cab up in flames. The wreck occurred at 2:30 in the morning. Few other details were released about the crash and the police are looking into the wreck to determine what happened.
Since we don’t know for sure in this particular case, it is impossible to say what factors were directly involved in the crash. However, data clearly shows from past truck accidents that many truck drivers don’t get enough sleep prior to going out on their shifts. Or, even if they do, that fatigue can set in or distractions can make them operate their vehicle in an unsafe manner.
Again, we don’t know if that happened here. But the early morning hours and the sudden loss of control of the vehicle certain raise questions.
What is important to know is that in other accidents where fatigued, sleepy, distracted or reckless truck drivers are involved, the victims of those accidents — or their loved ones — often pursue civil action against the truck driver, or even the truck company if the circumstances implicate them as well. These lawsuits can garner the victims and/or their loved ones the compensation they need to deal with the aftermath of the crash, while also giving them a sense of justice — however small it may be — over what occurred.
Source: KERO Bakersfield, “Cleanup continues following deadly big crash on Highway 99,” April 4, 2016
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