A severe truck crash on the 805 Freeway in National City left one person dead and another with life-threatening injuries on Saturday, April 29.

The collision happened on Interstate 805 near the 43rd Street off-ramp, according to California Highway Patrol. The accident occurred at 9:08 A.M. when a small work truck carrying two men was traveling southbound on the I-805. It collided with a larger commercial flatbed truck which was carrying a Caterpillar bulldozer tractor. The large truck did not come to a stop according to one video news service.

Commercial flat bed truck traveling through road.

The crash caused the smaller truck to go off the freeway into the right shoulder and collided with a freeway light pole, which was knocked down as a result. The smaller work truck rolled down the embankment to the 43rd street on-ramp, and both men were subsequently ejected. One man was declared dead at the scene, the other was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted and brought to the scene at roughly 9:30 AM.

“This is a horrific crash, all the individuals involved in this were doing their jobs and now the worst has happened,” said Brett Schreiber, a Partner at Singleton Schreiber. “Several families must now cope not only with loss, but with a serious change in their family dynamic.”

This injury comes on the heels of several work vehicle collisions occurring all over San Diego Freeways. Between the 8 Freeway, 805 Freeway, 5 Freeway and 15 Freeway, dozens of deadly incidents have been reported.

To contact the National City work truck injury attorneys at Singleton Schreiber, please call 619-367-7768 or email info@singletonschreiber.com

National City Work Truck Traffic Collision

In National City, and all of San Diego, work truck accidents are unfortunately all too common. This one, reported on by the Times of San Diego, is one of many in the last few months. These crashes can have devastating consequences for those involved, including serious and catastrophic injuries and even fatalities.

One of the main causes of work truck accidents in San Diego is distracted driving. Many drivers of work trucks are required to multitask while behind the wheel, which can include using their phones, navigating to new job sites, or even eating while driving. There are several types of work trucks, including small pickup trucks, heavy duty pickup trucks, large flatbed trucks, big rigs (i.e. 18-wheelers), delivery trucks and many more. These distractions can lead to decreased focus and reaction times, making it more likely for accidents to occur.

The average standard pickup truck weighs between 4,000 and 7,000 pounds. A heavier duty truck, such as a Ford F350, can weigh up to 12,000 pounds. A flatbed truck can weigh up to 48,000 pounds. And, a Caterpillar bulldozer weighs an extra 17,000 to 25,000 pounds. Odds are, the larger flatbed truck with the bulldozer tractor weighed around 70,000 pounds when the National City truck collision occurred.

Another major cause of work truck accidents in San Diego is driver fatigue. Many drivers of work trucks are required to work long hours or drive long distances, which can lead to exhaustion and decreased alertness. This can make it more difficult for drivers to react to sudden changes in traffic or road conditions, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Additionally, work truck accidents can be caused by inadequate vehicle maintenance or faulty equipment. It is important for companies that operate work trucks to ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained and equipped with functional safety features, such as working brakes and tires. Failure to do so can put both the driver and other motorists at risk.

In San Diego and the surrounding areas, it is important for all motorists on the road to exercise caution when driving near work trucks. This includes maintaining a safe following distance, being aware of blind spots, and avoiding distracted driving. By working together, we can all help prevent work truck accidents in San Diego and make our roads safer for everyone. However, even the most cautious drivers can suffer severe injuries or even a wrongful death if the work truck driver is distracted, under the influence or just driving dangerously.

“We don’t know the details, but we do know two hard-working people who were likely breadwinners for their families are either deceased or injured so badly they may never work again,” attorney Brett Schreiber said. “The survivors and loved ones are likely eligible for compensation, and will absolutely need it because the medical bills alone will be astronomical.”

To contact the San Diego work truck injury lawyers at Singleton Schreiber, please call 619-367-7768 or email info@singletonschreiber.com