What Caused Fatal Big Rig Crash on I-10?

Jun 20,2016

Two people died Thursday in a big rig crash on I-10 east of Desert Center. The crash happened around 5:39 a.m. in the westbound lane near Chuckawalla Valley Road. Firefighters had to extricate two people—20-year-old Nicolas Madrigales and 23-year-old Juan Leon Jr. from the crash. They both suffered fatal injuries. A third person involved in the crash was not injured. The right westbound lane remained closed until 12:15 p.m. while the scene was investigated and cleared.

While the details of this big rig crash are still under investigation, crashes involving semi trucks are some of the deadliest crashes, especially for victims in passenger vehicles. In 2014, 3,660 people were killed in large truck crashes. Of the victims, 16% were truck occupants and 68% were passenger vehicle occupants.

A Department of Transportation study analyzing crashes between 2001 and 2003 showed that in crashes where the truck was the main cause of the accident, 87% of the time driver fatigue was to blame. In 2013, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration attempted to reduce the risk of driver fatigue by limiting the work week for truck drivers to 70 hours. Old standards had truck drivers working a maximum of 82 hours a week. Truck drivers are also required to take a 30-minute break during the first eight hours of a shift.

“Even with regulations limiting the number of hours truck drivers can be on the road, we are still seeing far too many fatal crashes involving large trucks. Our hearts go out to the victims of this deadly crash,” 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 California 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 a truck 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.