After experiencing a decrease in population in 2010 to 10,466 residents, Rio Linda is on the move again as a popular place to live. The 2019 population increased to 15,053 as people recognized this census-designated area as an enjoyable, convenient place to live with its rural atmosphere and easy-going way of life. It has been touted for its nearness to Sacramento and is close to many highways, making navigating easier while enjoying what the area offers. From Interstate 80 to State Route 99 and 240 and Interstate 5, living in Rio Linda provides access to everywhere in the county.

An almost 50 percent increase in population within five years shows that those living in Sacramento County are looking for quiet, more affordable suburban housing. The nearness of good shopping offers residents everything they need, such as in Rio Linda Plaza and the Rio Linda Shopping Center. Establishing new grocery stores and restaurants should attract even more new residents. However, since goods must be delivered to local businesses, this increases truck traffic in the area.

Because it is a suburban area of Sacramento, many Rio Linda residents commute into the city to work. Increased congestion along Interstate 80 and State Route 99 makes it more difficult for commuters and those driving through on business or vacation. In 2019, traffic along Interstate 80 was estimated to be 160,000 vehicles daily. Many of those vehicles are big rigs and other commercial trucks making deliveries to businesses and homes in Rio Linda.

More vehicles and congestion naturally lead to increased traffic accidents. The risk increases because big rigs and other commercial vehicles use these routes to travel between southern and northern California. While any collision with another vehicle can result in injuries, a crash involving a big rig is much more dangerous. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average mid-size passenger car weighs under 4,000. It’s easy to see that an accident with a big rig can devastate those riding in a smaller vehicle, and they are often the truck driver’s fault.

When you or your family member has been injured by a negligent truck driver, we may be able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. My law office has assisted numerous clients and offers quality service and representation.

Around half a million accidents involving tractor-trailers occur each year, resulting in a severe injury or death every 15 minutes. These accidents occur due to the nature of a big rig. These include:

• Big rigs have three brakes, and using the wrong one to stop can result in a jackknife accident or a rollover.
• Inexperienced drivers get hired. A severe shortage of experienced truck drivers around the country can cause a company to hire a driver with little experience, leading to an accident.
• Drivers are pressured to get the products they are hauling to their destination. Speeding is a leading cause of all types of traffic collisions.
• The company responsible for the truck is not performing proper maintenance. A tractor-trailer with worn or leaky brakes, bad tires, and other problems can cause an accident.
• Large blind spots surround a big rig. This can prevent the driver from seeing other vehicles in front, back, or either side of the truck. If a truck driver does not realize a smaller vehicle is in front, it can cause an override accident.

Additional types of negligence that can result in a traffic accident are caused by the big rig driver. These can include:

• Speeding can occur if a driver does not correctly plan how long to make a delivery. Traffic congestion, detours, and other problems can put the driver behind schedule, tempting him or her to speed.
• Truck drivers spend long hours on the road. This can lead to drowsy driving caused by boredom.
• Distracted driving is a problem for many drivers, but since truckers spend so much time driving, it can become difficult to focus on the road ahead. To try and stay alert, the trucker may talk on a cell phone or engage in other activities.
• Drug use is more of a problem for truckers than drinking and driving. Because of the tedium and long hours, a trucker may be tempted to use drugs to stay alert and awake.

Laws that govern big rigs are more complex than those for other vehicles. Truck drivers are not only expected to follow federal law but state regulations. These laws include the hours a trucker may be behind the wheel, rest, and food breaks. They also include detailed inspections before heading out, including the cargo load and other additional checks. License requirements are also different, with unique licensing required for hazardous materials such as gas, chemicals, explosives, and oversized loads. Any violation of these regulations means that the company, driver, or both were negligent if an accident occurred.

Truckers and the companies that employ them owe a duty of care to other motorists, bicycle riders, motorcyclists, and pedestrians to use caution when driving. A driver or company that violates that duty of care may be considered negligent and be financially liable if an accident occurs and people are injured or die.

Following a collision injury caused by a commercial vehicle, contacting a seasoned truck accident injury lawyer is essential as soon as possible. Insurers and trucking companies send teams to an accident site involving one of their trucks to look for evidence to support their defense, including talking to witnesses. This makes it vital that you have an accident attorney in your corner. We send out our own investigators right away to gather evidence. The investigators interview witnesses and go over the police report for inaccuracies. They search for traffic and business cameras that may have caught the accident on tape.

In addition, accident reconstruction may be performed. Once all the evidence is gathered, our injury lawyers build a strong case for our client, which can be used to negotiate with the insurer or in a court case.

The video below explains the difference between truck accidents and other collisions, as presented by attorney Ed Smith:

If a trucking accident caused your injury or that of a loved one, call our experienced Rio Linda truck accident attorneys at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. Since 1982, we’ve won fair compensation for many residents of Rio Linda and surrounding Northern California, including all kinds of traffic collisions, traumas such as brain injuries, and wrongful deaths. Visit our Settlements and Verdicts page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.5.23] Photo by Quintin Gellar from Pexels cd cha [cs 1162]}