Semi-Truck Wreck on Highway 138 Leaves 1 Dead, 5 Injured

Apr 12, 2023

A fatal big rig crash near Los Angeles left one dead and another five injured Monday. The deadly crash involving a semi-truck and vehicle occurred in Antelope Acres, an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, according to a report from KTLA.

Semi-Truck Wreck on Highway 138 Leaves 1 Dead, 5 Injured

• How Often Do California Semi-Truck/Big Rig Crashes Occur?
• What Causes Semi-Truck and Big Rig Accidents?
• What Types of Injuries Can Occur in Truck Accidents?
• What Types of Damages Can be Recovered in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
• Why Choose DLG for Your Truck Accident Case?

Los Angeles County Fire Department (LAFD) crews were dispatched to Highway 138, near 110th Street, at around 5:44 p.m., KTLA confirmed through officials.

“At the scene, paramedics found one person dead, four people with critical injuries and another person with minor injuries. Authorities did not identify any of the victims, nor did they say if the person who died was in the vehicle or in the big rig,” KTLA said.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicated that several people had been airlifted to a local hospital, according to a report from NBC 4. Highway 138 was “closed indefinitely” last evening, NBC 4 said. Traffic was reportedly backed up for hours as a result of the semi-truck crash.

KTLA also reported that, although it’s unclear what caused the Highway 138 big rig accident, aerial footage from their Sky5 helicopter showed “a dark colored vehicle that was badly damaged and an overturned big rig with debris spilling out of the top of one of the trailers it had been pulling.”

NBC 4 further confirmed that their NewsChopper4 captured video of firefighters attempting to remove a body from a mangled Jeep.

CHP officials are continuing to investigate the cause of the fatal Highway 138 big rig crash that left one dead and five injured.

How Often Do California Semi-Truck/Big Rig Crashes Occur?

Year-over-year, semi-truck and big rig accidents in the United States have increased. In fact, a PolicyAdvice.net report confirms the following big rig and semi-truck accident statistics:

• There has been a 52% increase in truck accidents since 2009.
• 74% of all fatal passenger vehicle crashes involve a large truck.
• The most common cause of all truck-related accidents is tire defects (accounting for around 30%).
• Most truck accidents actually occur during the day – between noon and 3 p.m.
• 68% of all truck fatalities are passenger vehicle occupants.

Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirms that in 2019 there were an estimated 159,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks. Of those crashes:

• 69% (110,000) were occupants of other vehicles
• 29% (46,000) were occupants of large trucks
• 3% (4,000) were nonoccupants (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.)

What Causes Semi-Truck and Big Rig Accidents?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently collected data which examined hundreds of associated factors for each vehicle involved in a truck crash. The organization found that the top 10 accident factors coded for large trucks and their drivers were:

1. Brake problems
2. Traffic flow interruption (congestion, previous crash)
3. Prescription drug use
4. Traveling too fast for conditions
5. Unfamiliarity with roadway
6. Roadway problems
7. Required to stop before crash (traffic control device, crosswalk)
8. Over-the-counter drug use
9. Inadequate surveillance
10. Fatigue

For large truck on passenger vehicle crashes, the FMCSA identified the following 10 associated factors (listed in descending order according to how often they were coded):

1. Interruption of the traffic flow
2. Unfamiliarity with roadway
3. Inadequate surveillance
4. Driving too fast for conditions
5. Illegal maneuver
6. Inattention
7. Fatigue
8. Illness
9. False assumption of other road user’s actions
10. Distraction by object or person inside the vehicle

What Types of Injuries Can Occur in Truck Accidents?

Common truck accident injuries may include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Mild traumatic brain injury
• Whiplash
• Broken or fractured bones
• Spinal cord injury
• Contusion or bruising
• Lacerations
• Paralysis
• Seat belt injuries
• Collar bone injuries
• Back injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Fatalities (wrongful death)

What Types of Damages Can be Recovered in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

If you’ve been injured in a big rig or semi-truck accident, you may be entitled to a cash settlement for a number of applicable damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Hospital expenses
• Medical care costs (past and future)
• Punitive damages
• Lost wages
• Diminished future earning capacity as a result of your injuries
• Property damage
• Emotional trauma
• Rehabilitation expenses (past and future)
• Reduced quality of life

To file a truck accident civil lawsuit toward a maximum damages award, contact the experienced attorneys at Dordulian Law Group (DLG) today for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 via 866-GO-SEE-SAM and are happy to answer any questions you have regarding a civil claim for the financial compensation you deserve.

Why Choose DLG for Your Truck Accident Case?

DLG’s Los Angeles, California, truck accident lawyers are led by Sam Dordulian, a former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County with more than 25 years of experience helping injured victims recover justice through maximum financial compensation. With over $200,000,000.00 in settlements and verdict secured for injured victims and a consistent 98% winning record, DLG is the best choice for your Los Angeles-area truck accident attorney.

Ready to file a claim and pursue justice through a financial damages award? Our expert attorneys are available online or by phone now.

Contact us today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM for a free and confidential consultation. There’s never any fee for our expert legal services until AFTER we secure maximum financial compensation for your claim. You don’t pay a penny until we win for you – it’s that simple.