During the very early hours on Friday, a tractor-trailer accident caused diesel fuel to spill onto the roadway. Authorities closed the roadway for several hours while emergency crews worked to clean up the spill. The accident happened before the morning rush hour at around 4:30 a.m. in Montecito, California. The California Highway Patrol reported that a 36-year-old man was operating the tractor-trailer along U.S. Highway 101 northbound when the truck collided with the median guardrail. The guardrail was severely damaged and the impact caused fuel to leak from the truck. Fortunately, the driver was uninjured in the crash and the police are investigating to determine what caused the accident. The roadway was closed for approximately four hours while crews cleared the debris and fuel.
Fatigued driving is one the most common causes of tractor-trailer accidents and has become a serious traffic violation in recent years. Federal regulations prohibit commercial truck drivers from operating their vehicle for more than 11 consecutive hours and then it is required for the driver to have a 10 hour rest period before operating his truck again. Unfortunately, many truck drivers and trucking companies ignore these laws in an attempt to increase their financial gain. This negligence leads to thousands of accidents each year inflicting injuries and death upon innocent travelers.
If you or a loved one have suffered damages in a truck accident, contact the St. Louis law firm of Meyerkord & Kurth to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Our attorneys will provide you with the personalized representation that proves we care about your needs. We have successfully represented thousands of clients by obtaining more than $350 million in compensation. Contact us today to discuss your potential case.