DENVER — One person was killed Thursday after a crash in the western part of the Denver metro area involving a tanker truck that burst into flames and spilled burning fuel.

Colorado State Patrol Golden said that the tanker had been pulled over to the shoulder in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70, near the Morrison Road exit, when another vehicle crashed into the back of it shortly before 9:30 a.m.

In addition to the person who died in the crash, the truck driver was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Neither person has been identified at this time.

The tanker was fully engulfed in fire when first responders arrived on the scene, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and fuel spilled through a culvert across the eastbound lanes of I-70, shutting down interstate traffic in both directions for at least seven hours and sending up a plume of what Arvada Fire spokesman Brady Johnson called “toxic, black thick smoke.”

“Our hearts go out to the family of the person who died in this crash, and we hope that the truck driver is able to recover quickly,” said Kevin Hannon, partner at Singleton Schreiber. “If you are affected by a crash like this in any way, you might benefit from contacting a personal injury attorney. An attorney can help get you the compensation you deserve when unexpected incidents throw financial wrenches, like medical bills or lost wages, into your life.”

Interstate 70 is one of the most common sites in the country for fatal crashes involving vehicles transporting dangerous materials.

An analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data on fatal crashes involving vehicles transporting hazardous materials found that from 2012 through 2021, only three highways in the United States saw more such crashes than Interstate 70, which had 20.

Flammable liquids, including combustible fuels, were the hazardous material being transported in more than half of the fatal crashes in question, and some of the material being transported leaks out into the outside environment about 30% of the time.

The Denver area had another incident in which spilled tanker fuel caught fire in May 2018, when a tanker crashed into a median on Interstate 25 in Greenwood Village after blowing a tire. Local news outlets reported that the fire burned so hot that the top layers of the road melted.

If you or a loved one are involved in an accident involving a truck, contact Singleton Schreiber by email at info@singletonschreiber.com.

Tuesday afternoon in Victorville, California two vehicles crashed on D Street. The collision occurred around 2:10 pm on May 14th at the intersection of the northbound I-15 exit off-ramp and D Street.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) traffic log the two vehicles involved were a Nissan Pathfinder SUV and a semi-truck. According to reports, the semi-truck was using the I-15 off-ramp while pulling mini belly dump trailers when it lost its brakes and went through the intersection. When traveling through the intersection the semi-truck collided with the Nissan SUV and jackknifed.

The Nissan SUV driver was injured in the accident and transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment.

CHP did not release additional details at this time, however, they will continue to investigate the incident to determine the cause.

Determining Liability in Semi-Truck Accidents

When semi-trucks are involved in accidents with smaller passenger cars the aftermath can be devastating due to the significant differences in size and weight. “While we are relieved to hear the driver of the SUV survived the crash, we know he and his family have a long road to recovery ahead of them,” says attorney Brett Schreiber, of Singleton Schreiber, “Our hearts go out to the victim and their family. It is important that they and others who’ve been in similar accidents know that they may have legal recourse and could consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to learn more.”

Determining the cause of the accident can depend on the circumstances and can be caused by many factors, including:

• Driver Error: negligence or recklessness on behalf of the semi-truck driver. This may include factors such as speeding, distracted driving (like texting or eating), fatigue, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Mechanical Failures: tire blowouts or malfunctioning brakes can contribute to or cause an accident.
• Improper Loading: improperly loaded or overloaded cargo can affect the truck’s stability and handling, leading to accidents. This could include unsecured cargo shifting while in transit.
• Poor Maintenance: Failure to properly maintain the semi-truck, including neglecting routine inspections, and repairs, or ignoring known mechanical issues.
• Weather Conditions: adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, fog, snow, or ice can reduce traction and visibility, thus increasing the risk of accidents. However, drivers are expected to adjust their driving accordingly.
• Road Conditions: poorly maintained roads, construction zones, uneven pavement, or debris on the road can also contribute to accidents involving semi-trucks.

While these factors contribute to the cause of the crash, the parties that may be held responsible for the accident can include:

• Drivers: The truck driver can be held responsible for accidents if they were behaving negligently or recklessly. This can include violating traffic laws, distracted driving, driving under the influence, and more.
• Companies: The trucking company employing the driver can also be held liable for accidents. This could be due to negligent hiring practices, inadequate training, failure to enforce safety regulations, or pressure on drivers to meet unrealistic schedules leading to driver fatigue or speeding in an attempt to meet deadlines.
• Manufacturers: If a defective part or component in the semi-truck contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of that part may be held liable. This could include defective brakes, tires, steering systems, and other critical components.
• Other Third Parties: Liability may extend to other parties involved in the operation or maintenance of the truck. For example, cargo loaders could be responsible if improperly loaded cargo contributed to the accident. Similarly, maintenance contractors could be liable for accidents caused by poor maintenance or repairs.

Determining liability often involves a thorough investigation to identify all contributing factors and responsible parties. Depending on the specifics of the accident, one or more of the parties listed above may be held responsible. Contact a semi-truck accident attorney in San Diego to learn more.

On the morning of Friday, May 10th, a pickup truck and a semi-truck were involved in a serious accident on the eastbound lanes of the 91 Freeway in Bellflower, California. 

According to officials, the driver of a pickup truck remarkably suffered only non-life-threatening injuries after his truck became pinned underneath the back end of a semi-truck as they were traveling eastbound on the 91. The accident occurred near the 605 Freeway on Friday morning. 

After the accident, both vehicles caught on fire, though it was quickly put out when firefighters arrived on the scene. Investigators expect both drivers to survive. 

What Makes Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Accidents involving large trucks like semis can be some of the most dangerous accidents. This is due to the significant difference in weight between the average vehicle and a semi-truck. The sheer mass of a large truck can inflict devastating damage upon impact, often resulting in severe injuries and even death. 

Accidents like the one that occurred on Friday in Bellflower are called underride accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines truck underride accidents as “collisions in which a car slides under the body of a truck—such as a tractor-trailer or single-unit truck—due to the height difference between the vehicles”. When these types of accidents occur, the car’s passenger compartment may become crushed, which may potentially kill or seriously injure the occupants of the vehicle. 

In an effort to prevent underride crashes, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that trailers have a rear safety bar, called an underride guard (CFR 393.86). However, there are no regulations in place that require them to be regularly inspected. 

“As a personal injury lawyer, my heart goes out to the victim of the accident that occurred Friday in Bellflower,” says Brett Schreiber of Singleton Schreiber. “While we are relieved to hear that he escaped with non-life-threatening injuries, the trauma of such a terrifying ordeal can linger long after the physical wounds have healed. It’s important that the victim of this accident and others involved in similar accidents know that they may have legal recourse and could consider contacting a personal injury attorney to learn more about their options.” 

Safety Measures That Can Help Prevent Underride Accidents

Underride accidents pose significant risks to drivers and passengers alike. To mitigate these dangers, it’s crucial to implement effective safety measures. Here are some strategies that can help to prevent underride accidents:

• Maintaining safe following distances – drivers should keep a safe distance between them and large trucks, especially when driving behind them. This distance allows for better visibility and more reaction time in case of sudden stops. 
• Avoid driving in blind spots – drivers should avoid driving for prolonged periods of time in the blind spots of trucks. If you can’t see their mirrors, they probably can’t see you. Staying out of the blind spot zones minimizes the risk of underride accidents. 
• Be aware of road conditions – adverse weather or low visibility can have an impact on the safety of road conditions. If you’re driving in inclement weather, reduce your speed and increase the following distance, especially when driving near large trucks. 
• Installing enhanced underride guards – truck drivers can install strong and more durable underride guards. These can significantly reduce the likelihood of underride accidents and their severity as they act as barriers to prevent smaller vehicles from sliding underneath the body of the truck in the event of a collision. 

If you or a loved one have been involved in an underride accident with a semi-truck, contact the San Diego semi-truck accident lawyers at Singleton Schreiber by calling (619) 771-3473 or via email at info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about your potential options.