Three people were injured in a Bakersfield car accident on July 3, 2010, after a runaway semi-truck hit several vehicles including a California Highway Patrol cruiser. According to an NBC News report, critical injuries were avoided in this case thanks to the heroic efforts of CHP Officer Tony Christolear, who put himself between the out-of-control big-rig and a vehicle in front bearing holiday travelers.

Christolear was on routine patrol when he spotted the runaway semi-truck northbound on the 5 Freeway. He tried to stop the large truck, but realized that the truck driver was unable to slow down. It was then that Christolear got ahead of the out-of-control truck and put himself between the truck and another vehicle ahead. His cruiser was crushed by the big-rig and pushed into the center divider. The truck veered off the roadway and overturned. The truck driver, Christolear and the driver of the vehicle ahead were all injured, but are expected to survive.

A True American Hero

My heart goes out to the injured victims in this case, especially the brave CHP officer, Tony Christolear, who put his life in grave danger to protect the lives of others. He is a true American hero! His brave actions remind us of the dangers our men and women in uniform face every day on the job. I wish him and the other injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Had Christolear not acted the way he did, this could have been a fatal truck accident. Those holiday travelers were indeed fortunate that they had this brave officer watching their back.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance?

I trust investigators are looking into why the semi-truck was barreling down the freeway at 85 mph, out of control. There are several questions here. Why did the truck driver not use the runaway truck ramps? Why did the truck's brakes fail? Were the truck's brakes out of adjustment? If it is determined that this accident occurred due to the truck driver's negligence or lack of proper vehicle maintenance, both the driver and the trucking company could be held liable for the injuries and damages caused.

In such cases, injured victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Bakersfield personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the accident and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable. Trucking companies get their insurance adjusters and legal counsel on a case as soon as the accident occurs. Injured victims need a skilled accident lawyer on their side to protect their legal rights and look out for their best interests.

Have you had close calls with big-rigs or out-of-control trucks on the freeway? We would like to hear about your experiences and any suggestions you may have to make our roadways safer.

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.