We all know that car accidents can and will happen. We do what we can to avoid them, by driving safely and paying attention, but there’s not much you can do about the drivers around you. When the driver who makes a mistake is in a commercial truck, it’s the people in cars who usually pay the price.

Trucks have the potential to cause serious damage

The sheer mass of a commercial truck, versus passenger cars, means that those in a car risk significant injury when an accident occurs. This danger was evidenced by a recent accident, south of Sacramento and on Highway 12, near Jackson Slough Road. According to reports, traffic was stopped in the eastbound lane of the highway.

A tractor-trailer, approaching the stopped traffic, failed to slow down enough and collided with a minivan at the rear of the line of cars. This created a chain reaction collision into the three cars in front of the minivan. The semi-truck then veered into the highway’s eastbound lane, colliding with two more cars driving in the opposite direction.

Five people were injured in the accident, with one being air-lifted to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, none of the injuries turned out to be life-threatening. Although it is still unknown why the truck driver failed to slow down, it is an example of why an investigation is required for those who are injured.

When you’re in an accident caused by a tractor-trailer, it’s not always obvious who is to blame. It could be the driver and a simple case of human error and inattention. But it could also be their employer, who is responsible for maintaining the truck. Or, there could be a shipping company involved that improperly loaded the truck and contributed to the accident.

These are the times when you need a professional by your side who is experienced in motor vehicle accidents. They can help to ensure that you are compensated for your injuries and that those responsible are held accountable for their negligence.