Truck accidents can happen anywhere, but they’re much more frequent in Fullerton’s hub for heavy trucking collisions. The SR-91/SR-57 interchange is a hub for trucking accidents for several reasons, including frequent weaving patterns caused by closely spaced exits and onramps, lane shifts, and extremely high traffic volume.
Ongoing Improvements to the SR-91/SR-57 Interchange
There is some good news for drivers concerned about their risk of truck collisions at this dangerous interchange. An ongoing construction project is seeking to improve safety on this stretch of highway.
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), has undertaken the California 91 Improvement Project, which involves making alterations to the highway from SR-57 to SR-55. Those improvements include:
- A new eastbound general-purpose lane
- Reconstructed Kraemer Boulevard and Tustin Avenue overcrossings
The reconstruction is anticipated to include standard lanes, shoulders, and sidewalks in both directions.
Currently, these improvements are underway, and the construction is adding an added layer of potential danger to the interchange. Eventually, they could alleviate some of the traffic associated with heavy trucking accidents.
Tips for Avoiding Truck Collisions
Commercial trucks have large blind spots, make wide turns, and require extra time and distance to stop. While commercial drivers are trained to compensate for these additional challenges, passenger car drivers must also do their part to prevent truck accidents. You can follow these tips for avoiding truck collisions:
- Avoid blind spots. Commercial trucks have large blind spots. You should try to avoid lingering in them while passing or driving behind an 18-wheeler. As a general rule, if you are unable to see a truck driver’s face in the mirror, they won’t be able to see your vehicle.
- Be aware of stopping distances. Large trucks require up to the length of two football fields to stop safely. You can accommodate that need by leaving extra space when merging in front of commercial vehicles.
- Stay back. Because trucks are so much higher off the ground than passenger vehicles, cars can slide or be pushed under trucks in the event of a crash. Maintaining a safe distance from trucks, particularly on steep inclines when vehicles might roll backward, can help you avoid this potentially fatal issue.
- Pass safely. When passing large trucks, leave extra space behind your vehicle, avoid passing in the right lane, and don’t pass when going down hills, when trucks tend to pick up extra speed due to their weight.
- Be patient. It takes longer for trucks to speed up than cars. Be patient when driving behind large commercial vehicles and don’t tailgate.
Large trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger vehicles. As a result, they are more difficult to drive and often cause more significant injuries during accidents. They also generate wind gusts that can be felt by the smaller vehicles traveling around them. Being aware of all these facts can improve your safety when sharing the road with commercial 18-wheelers.
What to Do if You Get in a Truck Accident
If you get in a truck accident, you should take these steps:
- Remove yourself and any other passengers who can move safely from the flow of traffic.
- Call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical services.
- Talk to the other drivers, including the truck driver, and get contact and insurance information.
- Talk to witnesses to the accident and get their contact information, as well.
- Take photographs of the accident scene.
- Head to the hospital for a full evaluation as soon as you are cleared to leave the scene of the crash.
- Contact a Fullerton truck accident attorney as soon as you are medically stabilized.
Experienced attorneys understand truck accident laws and how to leverage them to get you the compensation you need following crashes involving large commercial vehicles. Determining liability and proving the extent of damages can be challenging, but working with a skilled lawyer can make the entire process easier.
FAQs
Where Do 40% of All Crashes Occur?
A total of 41% of all crashes occur in rural areas, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The same study showed that 58% of all crashes occur in urban areas, which makes it more likely that you’ll get into a crash in a city like Fullerton than on a backcountry road. There were 23,921 fatal accidents in urban areas in 2023, many of which involved large commercial vehicles.
What Age Group Speeds the Most?
Young male drivers ages 15 to 24 are most likely to be speeding at the time of fatal crashes. In 2024, 34% of young male drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time. In comparison, only 19% of young female drivers in these age groups were traveling at excessive speeds at the time of their accidents.
What Is the Most Common Accident-Related Injury for Truck Drivers?
The most common accident-related injuries for truck drivers are soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, strains, sprains, and spinal cord injuries, such as herniated discs and lower back trauma. Rollovers and severe rear-end collisions are the most common culprits for causing these injuries, in part because commercial trucks sit so high off the ground.
Are Truckers or Other Drivers More Likely to Be Injured in Truck Crashes?
Other drivers are more likely than truckers to be injured in truck crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 70% of the people killed in large truck crashes in 2024 were occupants of other vehicles. You can reduce your risk by driving defensively around large commercial vehicles and giving them plenty of space on the road.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a crash with a large commercial vehicle, you can hire a truck accident lawyer to help you hold the trucker and other liable parties accountable for the harms you have suffered.
You can trust the team of personal injury attorneys here at Easton & Easton to provide you with comprehensive legal representation and advice. We protect drivers when serious injuries disrupt their careers and financial stability, working to get them the compensation they need to pay for medical care and move on with their lives. Find out why doctors and other attorneys alike often refer their clients to us. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation regarding your truck accident claim.
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