Overturned Big Rig Slows Traffic on I-10

May 18,2016

An overturned big rig spilled bales of hay on I-10 near Beaumont Tuesday morning, causing hours of traffic delays. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials say around 4 a.m. the semi’s rear trailer flipped, spilling bales of hay onto westbound I-10 between Highway 79 and the Highway 60 interchange.

The CHP closed two lanes to investigate the overturned big rig accident, and traffic was slowed for several hours after the incident.

According to 2012 research from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), rollover was the first harmful event (the first thing that happens in a crash that causes injury or damage) in 5% of fatal crashes involving large trucks and 3% of nonfatal ones.

Why are semis so prone to rolling over? Speed is the largest contributor, involved in 45% of crashes in the FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study. Rollovers happen when a semi’s front wheels are turning the truck more quickly than the cargo it is carrying. The faster the truck is going, the larger the variance and the bigger the risk of rolling over. The biggest factor in speed-related rollovers is the driver misjudging the speed at which they can safely enter a curve.

“We are constantly hearing stories of big rigs rolling over. These accidents are only a safety hazard for drivers, but they frequently contribute to major traffic delays that negatively affect drivers,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.