A pickup truck driver sustained minor injuries after colliding with a tractor-trailer on eastbound Highway 74 at Ethanac Road in Meadowbrook, Riverside County, on Thursday morning, October 31, 2024.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at around 10:20 a.m. when a Toyota Tacoma became wedged underneath the trailer of a big rig.
Riverside County Fire Department crews arrived within 15 minutes and extricated the driver, who was briefly trapped in the vehicle.
The driver of the pickup, whose identity has not been released, suffered minor injuries and was transported to a regional trauma center. The truck driver was uninjured.
Both eastbound lanes were blocked for approximately 30 minutes until the scene was cleared and the highway fully reopened around 11 a.m. CHP officers are currently investigating the cause of the collision.
Call Our Dedicated Truck Accident Attorneys In Riverside County
A truck collision can have serious physical, emotional, and financial repercussions. You must hire legal representation after a truck accident to protect your rights and receive the maximum compensation possible.
Seek legal advice from our truck accident lawyers through a free initial consultation. With decades of experience and a long list of success stories, our law firm, under the direction of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., will successfully represent you and your family in a truck accident claim.
You can rely on our industry-leading Riverside County truck accident lawyers to help you with your insurance claim or effectively represent you in court proceedings if necessary. Arash Law has recovered over $500 million for clients and is widely acknowledged for its success and credibility as one of California’s most recognized personal injury law firms.
If you want to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.
What To Do After A Truck Accident In Riverside County
After a truck accident, it is essential to remain on the scene and wait for the authorities and medical personnel to arrive. Move the vehicle off the road if possible. Then, after gathering evidence to support filing a truck accident claim, inform your insurance provider and contact our award-winning law firm.
Here is a detailed guide on what you should do after a truck-related accident:
- Move vehicles to the shoulder of the road. If possible and safe, after documenting the scene by taking pictures and videos, move your vehicle to the shoulder and turn on your hazard lights to alert other motorists. If moving the vehicles is not possible or safe, follow the instructions of emergency responders.
- Contact emergency responders and immediately seek medical attention. Even if you think you were uninjured, let the emergency personnel examine you, as some injuries may appear days later. Records of medical visits, diagnosis, treatment, medications, and related expenses are valuable for building a strong case.
- Gather information from other drivers involved. Whenever possible, exchange all necessary information with the other drivers involved in the crash. This includes each party’s name, contact number, license number, plate number, insurance provider, and policy number.
- If you are able, take photos and videos of the scene. Take as many pictures and videos as possible, documenting the state of your car, the other vehicles involved, any nearby objects like skid marks and guardrails, and even conversations or interactions with other people.
- Take photos of your injuries. Taking pictures of the injuries you or others have sustained is one essential way to document the damages you have incurred.
- Obtain witness testimonies. When an accident occurs, many individuals are usually around to help out. Exchange as much information as you can with them to strengthen your case.
- Notify your insurance provider about the accident. Don’t feel obligated to provide any official or recorded statements right away. Your financial recovery could be negatively impacted if you confess fault for the accident or allow yourself to be misled into doing so.
- Do not admit fault. This is one of the common mistakes people tend to make following any vehicular accident. Stick only to the facts of what happened when speaking with a police officer. Be as detailed as possible in your description of the collision.
- Keep a journal. Doing so will help you remember every thought and emotion you have experienced throughout the whole recovery process. Tracking how long it took you to improve after an accident is crucial evidence for any personal injury claim.
- Contact the skilled California truck accident lawyers at Arash Law. Our lawyers go beyond finding simple and quick settlements. They identify all liable parties to get you the most money back. Furthermore, our team answers the questions and concerns of many victims.
If you’re having trouble securing the accident report from the authorities or an insurer keeps on calling you about the accident, our California truck accident lawyers can assist you in communicating with them.
Truck Accidents Statistics
According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, in 2022, a total of 4,764 people lost their lives in crashes involving large trucks. Of these fatalities, 17% were truck occupants, 66% were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 16% were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
The number of deaths in large truck crashes increased by 51% compared to 2009, which had the lowest fatality count since data collection began in 1975. Additionally, the number of truck occupants who died in 2022 was 83% higher than in 2009.