[0708-2022] Santa Barbara, CA – Truck Accident in Santa Maria Injured Four People

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), four people were injured in a crash with a tanker truck carrying petroleum near the intersection of Mahoney and Black roads on Friday, July 08, 2022.

CHP Officer Maria Barriga said the collision happened at about 5:58 a.m., nearly one and a half miles west of the Santa Maria Airport.

The CHP, the Santa Maria Fire Department, and two American Medical Response units were among the first responders.

According to the records, first responders found the fuel truck and the Dodge Neon, which had substantial front-end damage and needed to be towed.

According to Barriga, the tanker was moving southbound on Black Road, north of Mahoney Road, with the Dodge Neon trailing behind and “going a bit too fast.” The Dodge Neon could not slow down as the truck turned right onto a dirt road and broadsided the truck. The petroleum was not spilled.

The four individuals in the Dodge Neon, including the female driver, were taken to Marian Regional Medical Center for assessment. Meanwhile, the truck driver was not injured.

The case is to be further investigated.

Truck Crash Statistics

Due to their size and weight, big vehicles like tractor trailers and delivery trucks can damage passenger cars. Statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) show that many of these accidents happened because truck drivers weren’t paying attention to the road or changing their speed to match the road conditions.

Accidents can happen when:
Other drivers don’t understand what a truck driver has to deal with.
People in cars follow semi-trucks too closely, change lanes quickly or unpredictably, or pass trucks on the right.
Vehicles are broken, or truck companies don’t ensure their drivers are qualified and trained enough.

There are more truck accidents in California and all over the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of people who died in truck accidents rose by 4% between 2011 and 2012. During the same period, the number of people hurt in truck accidents in the United States went up by 18 percent. Here in California, the number of traffic deaths has been going up. About a third more people died in car accidents in our state in 2017 (3,602) than in 2010. (2,720).

These numbers show how important it is to hold truck drivers and transportation companies accountable for driving carelessly. You need to talk to a big rig accident lawyer, semi-truck accident lawyer, commercial vehicle accident lawyer, or 18-wheeler accident lawyer after a truck accident. Find a lawyer with a lot of experience who knows about the kind of car that hit you.

Santa Barbara County Truck Collision Lawyers

California has the most motorists of any state in the US, but not all of them are responsible drivers. Numerous accidents occur across Santa Barbara County and along the 101 highway, resulting from drunk driving, overspeeding, or other reckless behavior. These collisions hurt innocent drivers and result in high medical expenses.

While you are already dealing with the stress of your injuries and losses, the last thing you need is additional concerns about your legal claim or financial recovery. Never battle insurance companies alone since you could say anything they might use to lower or refuse your compensation.

Instead, contact our Santa Barbara County truck accident lawyers at Arash Law for the legal support you need. Our legal team can assist in protecting your rights when you are involved in a rear-end auto accident. You can reach us at (888) 488-1391, or you may email us to book a free case consultation.