[02-01-2022] Merced County, CA – Two People Killed After a Fatal Big Rig Crash in Gustine

Two people were killed following a deadly traffic crash involving a big rig in Gustine on Tuesday afternoon, February 1st, 2022.

The accident happened at approximately 2:14 p.m. at the intersection of Interstate 5 and Highway 140, west of Gustine.

A northbound 2011 Hyundai Sonata was initially traveling on the Interstate 5 off-ramp when it stopped for a red light at the intersection.

Meanwhile, a westbound 202 Peterbilt was driving on Highway 140. As the Hyundai entered the eastbound lanes of Highway 140, it drove directly into the path of the Peterbilt for unclear reasons.

Unfortunately, the Peterbilt was unable to avoid the Hyundai Sonata and struck the left front side. The Hyundai Sonata sustained major front-end damage from the collision.

The Hyundai Sonata driver and his passenger were killed in the mishap. They were identified as 68-year-old Song X. and 66-year-old Xu Z. The Peterbilt operator was uninjured in the mishap.

Drugs and alcohol were not considered as factors in the collision. The accident is currently under further investigation.

Big Rig Crash Statistics

The large commercial trucks that crisscross our highways and byways are known by many names. A semi-truck is one of them. Big rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and semi-trailer trucks are some of the other names used to identify these commercial trucks.

A big rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds compared to the ordinary automobile. This significant size discrepancy has the potential to cause accidents.

Fatalities involving big rig vehicles have increased by 30% since 2009, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) of the United States Department of Transportation. A total of 4,102 individuals were killed in big rig accidents in 2017.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 12,761 big rig accidents in California in 2019.

Various factors can cause trucking accidents involving large commercial vehicles. Driver inattention and fatigue and technical breakdowns such as tire blowouts or vehicle failures that render the car inoperable or non-operational are examples.

Big Rig Accident Lawyers for Victims in Merced County

As a victim of a big rig accident – or any other trucking accident, for that matter – you may be able to recover damages through a settlement or verdict if the other party involved was negligent. Your lawyer will help you determine fault and prove negligence in your case.

In California, a negligent driver is financially liable for any injuries and other losses caused by another person.

You need a knowledgeable attorney to investigate your particular big rig accident to determine what caused the crash and hold the at-fault party liable for your damages and losses. At Arash Law, our detail-oriented Merced County big rig attorneys will look at all the facts of your accident to determine if the crash occurred due to the negligence of another person or entity.

Our skilled attorneys at Arash Law have the necessary resources to help you prove that a trucking company is liable. You can benefit from having a skilled attorney on your side because your lawyer will do all of the following to help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Dial (888) 488-1391 to speak with an experienced wrongful death lawyer for free!