Investigations into a truck accident, that killed a Tahoma resident earlier this month, are still going on.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a three-axle truck was traveling on highway 99 near Squaw Valley Road when it drifted into oncoming traffic and struck a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle sustained fatal injuries. Another car that tried to avoid the accident ended up crashing into a fourth vehicle. The driver of the third car suffered injuries that required hospitalization. The deceased victim has been identified as Janice Roseberry and the truck driver has been identified as Dixon resident Daren Ott. He suffered moderate injuries in the accident, but has now been released. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. As in any fatal truck accident, a blood alcohol test would likely have been administered to test if drug or alcohol use was a factor in this crash.

There are several factors that can be involved in a serious truck accident. California trucking accident lawyers often see that one of the main factors causing a truck accident is negligent driving by the trucker. A truck driver, who is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, can lose control of the massive vehicle with devastating consequences for other vehicles nearby. Trucking companies are required to conduct random drug testing of truck operators.

Negligent driving can also include driving at excessive speeds. This doesn't simply mean that a truck driver must drive within posted speed limits for trucks, which tend to be lower than speed limits for automobiles. It also means that the truck driver must drive taking traffic and weather conditions into very careful consideration. Operating a truck in heavy rains, strong winds or snowfall can require extra care and attention.

Truck accidents may also be caused by a distracted driver. Distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is responsible for 30 percent of all traffic accidents that occur every year. It's dangerous enough for a motorist to be distracted while driving, but the consequences can be serious when there is a distracted truck driver at the helm of an 18 wheeler. Distractions can be in the form of cell phone use, billboards and other highway distractions. A study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute showed that truckers, who were text messaging at the wheel, increased their risk of an accident by 23 times.

Besides the truck driver, a trucking company may also be responsible for the accident, and may be named in a personal injury lawsuit arising from the truck accident. A trucking company has the responsibility to provide the truck driver a well-maintained fleet of trucks. However very often, companies scrimp on maintenance activities and replacement of parts, and the consequences can be deadly for both truck drivers and motorists. Trucking companies also have a responsibility to follow hiring safe practices. Drivers must be trained and experienced. Companies are also required to conduct random tests to keep a check on drunk driving by operators.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims Please visit our website at
trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.