A 32-year-old man was fatally injured in a San Bernardino car accident early morning on August 7, 2010 after the pickup truck he was driving crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer. According to a news report in the Fontana Herald News, the fatal crash occurred in the southbound lanes of the Interstate 15 near Duncan Canyon Road. California Highway Patrol officials say the driver was traveling at a "high rate of speed" and ran into the back end of a big-rig, which was traveling in the same direction. The Ford burst into flames on impact. The deceased driver was burned beyond recognition and has still not been identified. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my heartfelt sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this deceased victim. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 14 deaths and 627 injuries involving car accidents in Fontana. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 263 people died and 8,504 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

What Caused this Deadly Truck Accident?

It is not clear from this report what may have caused the driver of the Ford F-150 pickup truck to ram into the back of the tractor-trailer rig. The article does not state that the driver was inebriated or that he had fallen asleep at the wheel. It is also not clear exactly how fast the driver was going at the time.

There are more questions than answers here. Was there a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction in the pickup truck, which led to this fiery crash? Did the big rig driver slow down or stop suddenly giving the pickup truck driver little or no time to avoid a collision? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to pinpoint the cause of this accident.

Claim for Compensation

If the truck driver is determined to have caused this accident, he or she and his or her employer could be held liable for the accident and the driver's wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. If an auto product defect caused the crash, then the auto maker or the manufacturer of the defective product can also be held liable. The best San Bernardino personal injury lawyers will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

What are some of the biggest challenges faced by injured victims and their families in the aftermath of a crash?

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.