East Bay Truck Crash Closes Both Lanes of Interstate 680

By Kelly Balamuth on October 30, 2015

Recently, a tractor-trailer collided with a freeway divider on Interstate 680. The truck accident caused several other vehicle collisions, started a brush fire, and shut down both sides of the freeway for several hours.

According to witnesses who spoke to the California Highway Patrol, the truck had been driving erratically before it hit the concrete divider, spraying debris across the freeway.

The driver struck by the tractor trailer, along with several others who suffered minor injuries, were treated at the scene. One person was injured when a chunk of concrete smashed into her windshield, hurling shards of glass into her face and eyes. The driver of the truck was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The truck hit the center divider with enough force to plow through the divider completely, after which a fuel explosion caused the vehicle and grass alongside the freeway to catch fire.  The freeway was closed for several hours while first responders worked to treat injuries and clean up debris.

Truck accidents pose serious risks that many smaller car accidents don’t.

At 80,000 pounds and ten feet high or more, a fully-loaded tractor-trailer produces far more force on impact than a 3,500-pound passenger vehicle.  A big truck’s load can also pose a threat if it includes hazardous, flammable, or breakable materials. If you’ve been injured in a truck crash, contact Balamuth Law today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

We can be reached at (888) 254-1234.