Bay Area Sees String of Serious Semi-Truck Accidents
Over the past month, the Bay Area has seen a number of serious semi-truck accidents. This should ot come as a huge surprise to local residents, as the trucking industry contributes to countless crashes each year. Many of these crashes cause catastrophic injuries, while others lead to fatalities. Most are avoidable and are caused by clear negligence. But while semi-truck accidents are nothing new, the industry continues to change, and these changes bring new hazards. If a Bay Area truck accident has harmed you or someone you love, consider contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Head-On Collision With Semi-Truck Causes Fatality in Oakland
In late October of 2024, various sources reported on a fatal collision between a Toyota Camry and a semi-truck in Oakland. The head-on collision occurred on I-580, and it caused the shutdown of multiple lanes for hours. Initial reports stated that the driver of the Toyota crossed the median before impacting the semi-truck, but the accident is still under investigation.
Postal Truck Crashes into Vehicle Before Fleeing
Later in October, it was reported that a USPS truck slammed into the back of a parked vehicle in East Bay before fleeing the scene. At first, the owner arrived home to find serious damage to the back of his vehicle. He assumed that his teenage children were responsible, but he decided to check his home’s surveillance camera to confirm. Amazingly, he saw a USPS truck with no driver inside rolling toward his vehicle before smashing into the back of the car, sending it four or five feet forward. The driver then backed up and fled the scene.
Despite the fact that the government employee had clearly committed a hit-and-run, there was very little accountability, and the vehicle owner was told he would need to wait up to nine months to receive compensation. Later, it became clear that the USPS driver “immediately retired” after the crash, somehow avoiding criminal charges in the process. This incident shows that government trucks – and government employees – can be just as dangerous as their civilian counterparts.
Two Semi-Truck Crashes in One Day Cause Mayhem in East Bay
About one month prior, two separate semi-truck crashes caused significant traffic issues in East Bay. One accident involved a truck carrying up to 40,000 pounds of lawn sod, which overturned in Oakland on Highway 24. The driver of the truck was hospitalized, and the lawn sod was scattered across all lanes. Traffic authorities were forced to shut down the highway for five hours, and the cause of the crash was not immediately clear.
At around the same time, another semi-truck flipped onto its side and caught fire on I-238 near San Leandro. The driver was unharmed, but the fiery blaze was much more of a hazard than the scattered lawn sod. Semi-truck fires often cause other vehicles to catch fire, and this can potentially lead to catastrophic, mass-casualty events.
New Tesla Semi-Truck Catches Fire During Testing
Some say that the trucking industry will become much safer with new technology, such as electric batteries and self-driving technology. It is difficult to think of an auto manufacturer that is more technologically advanced than Tesla, and this company is beginning to dip its toes into the trucking industry.
The new Tesla semi-truck has been in development for some time, and it is already operating on California roads. However, not everyone is convinced that these trucks are the answer to safety issues. New questions were raised after Tesla’s new semi-truck crashed into a group of trees on I-80.
After the crash, the semi-truck’s battery caught fire. Toxic fumes billowed into the air as the fires raged for “several hours.” The fire was so intense that the National Transportation Safety Board is now wondering whether these batteries are even safe. One of the challenges associated with Tesla’s semi-truck project is mileage. More batteries (or larger batteries) are vital if Tesla is serious about competing with gas-powered semis. But the more batteries you add, the greater the fire risks become.
Contact Mary Alexander & Associates Today
If you have been affected by a truck accident in the Bay Area, an experienced truck accident lawyer may be able to help. These legal professionals can represent you as you strive for justice, closure, and compensation. It may be possible to pursue a financial settlement by filing a lawsuit against the trucking company. These companies are usually heavily insured, and recovering compensation should be relatively straightforward. That said, your lawyer can also represent you during a trial if necessary. To continue this discussion, schedule a consultation with Mary Alexander & Associates today.
