[10-14-2021] San Bernardino County, CA – Semi-Truck Crash in Barstow Results in One Death

One unidentified man was killed while two others were injured after a traffic crash involving a semi-truck near Barstow on Thursday morning, October 14.

The accident occurred on Interstate 15, approximately 30 miles north of Barstow, at approximately 5:00 a.m. A 2022 Kia was traveling on Interstate 15 when it attempted to pass a semi-truck driving on the right-hand shoulder of the road.

Unfortunately, the Kia crashed into a parked semi-truck on the shoulder for unclear reasons. Due to the severity of the impact, a 24-year-old man riding the Kia was ejected from his vehicle and landed on Interstate 15, where he was struck by the semi-truck he attempted to pass.

The 24-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, the two other passengers in the Kia were taken to Barstow Community Hospital with minor injuries. Drugs and alcohol were not considered as factors in the collision. The California Highway Patrol is further investigating the case.

Fatal Semi-Truck Crash Statistics

The economy cannot function without semi-trucks. Every year, the trucking industry in the United States transports billions of dollars worth of goods. Many big rigs on the road, unfortunately, mean danger for other motorists. Accidents involving semi-trucks are deadlier than those involving other types of vehicles on the road.

This is mainly due to big rig trucks being much larger than most other road vehicles. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data shows that since 2009, the fatality rate for big rig trucks has risen by 30%. In 2017, there were 4,102 fatal traffic accidents involving a big rig.

Nearly 113 people are killed in truck crashes every year in California. Meanwhile, approximately 3,000 people are injured each year due to truck accidents in California. Drivers die in truck accidents at a rate of between 200 and 300 per year in the Golden State. Various factors contribute to semi-truck accidents, including driver error, tire blowouts, disabled or undisabled vehicle failure, excessive speed, lane drifting, and fatigue.

San Bernardino County Wrongful Death Attorney for Victims of Fatal Semi-Truck Accidents

Many people don’t know what to do after being hit by an 18-wheeler. If you’ve lost a loved one in a truck accident, you must act swiftly to file your truck accident claim to meet California’s statute of limitations. Victims of a large truck accident or injury discovery in California typically have two years from the date of the accident or injury discovery to file a civil lawsuit.

Missing this deadline and not filing a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful death will almost always lead to your case being dismissed. To protect your legal rights after a truck accident, speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

We are Arash Law, a California semi-truck accident law firm, and we have been assisting people like you who have been injured in truck accidents for many years. Arash Law’s experienced semi-truck accident lawyers are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve! Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION with a wrongful death attorney.