Out-of-Control Truck Overturns After Brakes Fail on Wet Mountain Road
Out-of-Control Truck Overturns After Brakes Fail on Wet Mountain Road
A truck lost control after its brakes failed on a California mountain road and overturned in a terrifying crash. Dashcam footage from another vehicle on the Pacheco Pass near San Jose showed the out-of-control truck veering onto the hard shoulder as it approached a queue of standstill traffic. The truck – which was carrying a large number of fruit crates on its trailer – was unable to stop, and started to tip as the narrow hard shoulder turned into sloping mountainside. The trailer tipped over and crashed onto its side, sending fruit cascading across the roadway. As it toppled, the vehicle crashed into another large heavy goods vehicle which was waiting in traffic, shunting the other vehicle across its lane.
While the truck’s trailer and cargo tipped over in the crash, the front cab managed to stay upright. Fortunately, the driver of the truck and occupants of the other cars on the roadway were not badly hurt in the incident. Footage of the crash shows mounds of overturned crates and fruit covering the ground in the right lane of the road, right next to the steep side of the mountain. Backed-up traffic was able to pass the crash debris in the left lane.
Brake Failure and Wet Roads
Witnesses to the crash say they believe the brakes failed on the truck as it approached the traffic, forcing the driver to attempt an emergency evasive maneuver. However, the hard shoulder narrowed and left the truck with nowhere to go, and no way to stop.
The conditions on the road were already poor, with a slick surface as a result of heavy rain. Wet roads and adverse conditions can have a drastic impact on road safety. Heavy rain will reduce a driver’s visibility and reaction time, while a wet surface can seriously increase the stopping distance of a car. Roads can also become extremely slippery, with the rainwater mixing with grease and oil remnants on the surface. Drivers are advised to slow down and use extra caution in poor conditions.
Liability Issues
Vehicle accidents involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles can vary hugely when it comes to determining liability, and it will always depend on the circumstances of the specific incident. When it comes to truck accidents, liable parties could include a negligent driver, a commercial truck company, the vehicle manufacturer, or maintenance workers, among others. Whether driver error or a faulty part is to blame for an accident, it is possible for victims to pursue cases for any damages or losses, as well as compensation for pain and suffering. Anyone who has been involved in a truck accident should contact Bisnar Chase for expert guidance in taking legal action.
