Shortly before 10am on November 13, 2018 on Highway 1 at River Street in Santa Cruz, a big rig tractor trailer apparently lost its brakes, crashing into approximately 21 vehicles, creating a massive pile-up. Almost a dozen people have been reportedly injured.
CHP reports that the tractor-trailer was traveling southbound on Highway 17 when it lost its brakes, continued onto northbound Highway 1, crashing into vehicles in its path until it ultimately rear ended a sedan which then exploded into flames. Just minutes before the crash began, witnesses called 911 to report a big rig with its wheels smoking and on fire. November 15th reports claim the big rig wasn’t registered with the DMV to be on the highway and should not have been on the road.
The driver of the sedan was transported by Lifeflight to a trauma center over the hill. KSBW has reported that 4 men from the homeless encampment, cut the unconscious man from his stuck seatbelt from the vehicle and pulled him to safety 20 seconds before the fire engulfed the driver’s seat.
Miraculously, while CHP reports 3 or 4 critical injuries there are no reported fatalities.
The scene of the accident between the “fish-hook” and River Street on Highway 1 was closed all afternoon by CHP to all traffic for investigation and clearing of all damaged vehicles.
It appears from accident photos that JVilla Trucking of San Jose, Ca was involved in the crash. According to the U.S. Department of transportation, JVilla has had a number of safety violations in the past two years. It’s trucks have been taken out of service 16 times out of 21 inspections, a rate of 76% as opposed to the national average of 21%.
Who is legally responsible?
In big rig crashes involving apparent run away tractor trailers like this one, there are immediate questions whether driver error or vehicle malfunction played a role in this tragedy. If the brakes did ultimately fail on this big truck as CHP suggests, it is important to investigate whether mandatory brake inspections were properly performed.
CHP has found that 6 of 10 of the brakes were out of adjustment, the driver did not complete a pre-trip inspection and the company didn’t complete a 90-day inspection of the vehicle.
Other important questions include determining qualifications and experience of the big rig driver, load type and proper weight of the truck. These are crucial factors in determining the legal responsibility for injuries and damage caused by the tractor-trailer.
We can help
Scruggs, Spini and Fulton (SS&F) attorneys at law are Santa Cruz County’s largest and most experienced personal injury law firm. They have extensive experience representing the victims of big truck crashes, holding those responsible legally accountable, and providing justice for victims and their families.
Contact us today at our office 831-457-1700 or
read more about our big-rig accident legal services here.
Shortly before 10am on November 13, 2018 on Highway 1 at River Street in Santa Cruz, a big rig tractor trailer apparently lost its brakes, crashing into approximately 21 vehicles, creating a massive pile-up. Almost a dozen people have been reportedly injured.
CHP reports that the tractor-trailer was traveling southbound on Highway 17 when it lost its brakes, continued onto northbound Highway 1, crashing into vehicles in its path until it ultimately rear ended a sedan which then exploded into flames. Just minutes before the crash began, witnesses called 911 to report a big rig with its wheels smoking and on fire. November 15th reports claim the big rig wasn’t registered with the DMV to be on the highway and should not have been on the road.
The driver of the sedan was transported by Lifeflight to a trauma center over the hill. KSBW has reported that 4 men from the homeless encampment, cut the unconscious man from his stuck seatbelt from the vehicle and pulled him to safety 20 seconds before the fire engulfed the driver’s seat.
Miraculously, while CHP reports 3 or 4 critical injuries there are no reported fatalities.
The scene of the accident between the “fish-hook” and River Street on Highway 1 was closed all afternoon by CHP to all traffic for investigation and clearing of all damaged vehicles.
It appears from accident photos that JVilla Trucking of San Jose, Ca was involved in the crash. According to the U.S. Department of transportation, JVilla has had a number of safety violations in the past two years. It’s trucks have been taken out of service 16 times out of 21 inspections, a rate of 76% as opposed to the national average of 21%.