Mother, Child and 3 Others Injured in Tanker Crash

emergency vehicles

April 16, 2019

Ellis Law Corporation

News

A serious automobile accident took place involving multiple vehicles, including a commercial truck and two cars in Acton, CA. The factors that led to the accident are still being investigated, but so far it appears that a commercial propane truck began leaking, before overturning. A sedan and camper were also involved in the sequence of events that led to the overturn and collision.

Civilian camper overturns; tanker leaks propane

The incident occurred at around 9:15 a.m. on April 9 on the 14 Freeway, near the Crown Valley Road exit. A total of five people sustained injuries, including a mother and her child, both of whom had to be airlifted to a nearby trauma center. Four of the five patients are also in critical condition. The crash caused a civilian camper to overturn several times. The commercial truck was carrying 2,600 gallons of propane fuel. A hazardous material crew was also called to assess the situation and contain the propane leakage.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the commercial tanker started leaking, though it’s unclear how this contributed to the truck overturning. Several nearby businesses had to be evacuated, and multiple lanes were shut down.

Liability questions

This is a very sad situation, and five people potentially have a long road to recovery. The family of the injured are affected as well. Will they be eligible to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages? The case is still being investigated, and we cannot say with any certainty who is liable for this accident. However, it appears that that third-party negligence may have been involved. The sequence of events seems to have begun with the propane truck’s fuel leak. If investigators determine this is so, then liability may fall on the propane company. If the propane was being transported by a separate freight company, then it may bear some liability as well.

Victims of the crash may have strong grounds for a lawsuit. If any of the injuries are fatal, then family members have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. Otherwise, the victims may have a strong case for a personal injury claim. Aside from pursuing medical costs, they may also be eligible to demand compensation for property damage.

Hurt on the road? Call an attorney ASAP

As Southern California residents, it breaks our hearts to see such incidents happen on the road. However, as personal injury lawyers, we see this all too often and represent people every day who find themselves in such tragic situations. We take great pride in fighting for the rights of those who were injured on the road because someone else acted carelessly or negligently. If you are hurt in an accident, please contact Ellis Law Corporation as soon as possible. We offer no-cost, no-obligation consultations, where we will discuss your case, lay out your legal options, and let you know how much money you may be entitled to receive. Our track record speaks for itself: We have won over $350 million for our clients! Call today to speak with a seasoned car accident attorney and get back on the road to recovery.