Multiple People Injured In Bakersfield Car Accident Involving 3 Semi-Trucks and 6 Other Vehicles On Highway 58
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (June 17, 2022) – Several people were injured in a multi-vehicle collision that involved 3 semi-trucks on Highway 58.
Kern County officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Three semi-trucks and six other vehicles were involved in a collision under unclear conditions.
A photo of the accident showed an overturned truck carrying what appears to be bales of hay. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the victims.
Five people were injured in the crash including two people who suffered major injuries. Neither alcohol nor drugs are believed to be factors in the crash.
A full investigation into the collision on Highway 58 remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accidents
Despite continuous improvements in vehicle design and safety, car accidents remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the United States. According to the IIHS, nearly 39,000 people were killed in car accidents in 2020 alone. Semi-trucks can be particularly dangerous due to their large weight and size. There are a number of factors that could potentially contribute to a multi-vehicle collision.
- Pileup accidents are more likely to occur during periods of inclement weather when there is ice or snow on the road.
- Pileup accidents are more likely to occur when traffic is slowing on the freeway.
- Pileup accidents are more likely to occur at night or during other periods of reduced visibility.
All commercial truck drivers will need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL). They are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Many truck accidents are due to drivers that follow the lead vehicle too closely. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21703, no person shall not follow another motor vehicle more closely than what would be safe or reasonable given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends another vehicle.
If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could also be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, truck companies will often try to evade liability for crashes by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.” There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The employment status of the truck driver should be determined.
- The truck’s event data recorder (EDR) should be examined.
- Medical records should be preserved.
The FMCSA requires trucks to carry between $750,000 – $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Trucks that carry hazardous materials will typically need higher insurance limits. Any person that is injured in a collision with a semi-truck may have recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A truck accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to all of the victims of this Highway 58 collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have been injured.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Bakersfield car accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of help after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
