Two People Injured In Bakersfield Accident After Semi-Truck Rolled Onto Vehicle On Highway 58 By Mills Street
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (May 11, 2022) – Two people were injured in a Bakersfield accident on Highway 58 after a semi-truck rolled on top of a vehicle.
Kern County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday near Tehchapi. For undetermined reasons, a semi-truck rolled onto a vehicle and pinned it in place.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the injured. One person was pinned in their vehicle and had to be freed using the Jaws of Life.
That person and the driver of the semi-truck were both taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment. A full investigation into the collision on Highway 58 remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accidents
Rollover accidents are among the most dangerous types of accidents that a person can be involved in. According to the NHTSA, “Annually, rollover crashes account for approximately 30 percent of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities. The proportion of fatalities that are attributable to rollovers is highest among the light trucks, 47 percent compared with 22 percent of passenger car occupant fatalities.” Semi-trucks are particularly prone to rolling over for a number of reasons.
- Semi-trucks have a high center of gravity which makes rollovers more likely.
- Semi-trucks have a wide turning radius which makes then more prone to tipping over.
- Semi-trucks are more likely to fishtail which increases the odds of a rollover collision.
Truck drivers must get a commercial driver’s license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Many rollover collisions are due to truck drivers that are traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions. According to California Vehicle Code 22350, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed than would be greater than what is reasonable given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. Even driving the speed limit can be dangerous depending on traffic and weather conditions. If a truck driver loses control of their vehicle and lands of top of another vehicle, they will typically be held at fault in the event of a collision.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a truck accident may extend beyond any driver. For example, the company responsible for maintaining a truck could be liable for a rollover accident. Many rollover collisions occur when a truck is not being properly maintained. A tire blowout could easily lead to a truck becoming unstable prior to any collision. Trucks are under constant wear and tear and must be properly maintained for safety reasons. It’s so important that evidence is properly maintained after any accident.
- Surveillance footage of the accident should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The truck driver’s logbook should be reviewed.
- The truck’s maintenance records should be examined.
The FMCSA requires commercial trucks to carry between $750,000 – $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Any person that is injured in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. However, truck companies will often fight hard to deny liability for an accident. 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 the victim of this truck accident on Highway 58. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Bakersfield truck accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
