Two big rigs collided today in the early morning hours, closing off a section of a Southern California highway for several hours. A big rig caught fire after being rear ended by another 18 wheeler. My Desert News reported that the truck accident occurred around 1:30 am near Blythe on the eastbound section of the 10 freeway. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, preventing the fire from spreading to dry brush nearby.
The trucking accident backed up traffic for miles as all eastbound lanes on 10 freeway closed until late morning. Commuters were rerouted off the highway through a detour route, circumventing the accident. The California Highway Patrol reported that no injuries resulted from the big rig accident. After the big rigs were towed away, a clean up crew worked to clear the highway of debris and diesel fuel that spilled on the road.
Big rig accidents can have serious and often deadly consequences. An 18 wheeler truck can weigh as much as 40 tons and takes long distances to brake to a complete stop. Truckers often push themselves to their physical limit even when they know the dangers. They should nap when fatigued and only drive through the night when absolutely necessary. As a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles I urge truck drivers to take necessary precautions to avoid accidents like this.
