Police are investigating a Hanford, California truck accident that left two people injured. According to the Hanford Sentinel, initial reports indicate that a driver who failed to stop for a stop sign may be responsible for the big rig accident. Heliodoro Padilla was driving north in his pickup truck as he entered the intersection when the big rig carrying a two-axle trailer went through the intersection travelling west. The pick-up collided with the 18-wheeler, and Padillla and his passenger sustained major injuries. The passenger was taken to Adventist Medical Center and Ruiz was flown to Fresno for treatment at University Medical Center.

In California and throughout the country, big-rig accidents are among the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, it is important to contact an experienced Elk Grove truck accident lawyer to provide critical guidance regarding your legal rights. In many cases, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries.

Injuries from big-rig accidents may include, but are not limited to, neck injuries, spinal cord injures, traumatic brain injuries and wrongful death.

Several different causes of truck accidents exist, and when someone is injured as a result, in many cases not only is the truck driver found liable but the trucking company may also be held responsible. Trucking companies may also be held responsible if they negligently hire a truck driver who has a poor safety record. Truck accidents may occur for the following reasons:

• Speeding in an attempt to maintain a tight delivery schedule
• Fatigue as the result of long hours with little rest
• Overloading or unsafe cargo
• Mechanical or brake failure
• Driver error/failure to follow safety rules
• Difficulty seeing other drivers or obstacles in blind spots while backing up, making turns or changing lanes.