Three people including a California Highway Patrol officer sustained injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after a large commercial truck lost its brakes and barreled down the 5 Freeway the morning of July 3, 2010. According to an Associated Press news report, the big-rig's brakes became ineffective and it hit speeds of 85 mph before causing the chain-reaction crash and catching fire, spilling diesel fuel across the freeway near the Los-Angeles-Kern County border. The truck driver, the CHP officer and the driver of another car sustained injuries, which were not life-threatening. An investigation is ongoing.

I sympathize with these injured victims and hope they did not sustain any major injuries. I wish them the very best for a quick and complete recovery. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 667 deaths and 52,229 injuries involving car accidents in Los Angeles County. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates there were 304 fatal truck accidents and 3,196 injury crashes involving trucks, in California, in 2008.

What Caused the Brake Failure?

Based on this news report, the large truck went out of control because it lost its brakes. I trust officials are looking into why the truck's brakes failed. Was it overloaded? Was the truck not properly maintained? Who inspected the truck's brakes? In such cases, the truck driver and the employer, the trucking company could be held financially responsible for injuries, damages and losses caused. Injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and other related damages.

Contacting an Injury Lawyer

An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will help seriously injured victims, in these types of accidents, by analyzing all facets of the incident and making sure that the negligent parties are held accountable.

A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer will obtain the truck's maintenance records and logs in order to determine how or why the brake failure occurred. Trucking companies will get their lawyers and insurance representatives on the case as soon as an accident involving one of their vehicles occurs. Important evidence may be lost, misplaced or destroyed if victims or their families wait too long to retain the services of a truck accident attorney. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive claim evaluation to injured victims and their families.

What are some of your biggest concerns while driving around big-rigs?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source 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, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Bookmark and Share