Long Beach, CA — January 2, 2025, two men were injured following a truck accident shortly before 2:00 p.m. along Interstate Highway 710.

According to authorities, the accident took place in the northbound lanes of I.H. 710 in the vicinity of Del Amo Boulevard.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, one of the vehicles involved in the wreck—it is unclear whether it was the pickup truck or the 18-wheeler—attempted a lane change at an unsafe time; this lead to a collision between the two vehicles. As a result of the wreck, the 18-wheeler and its trailer overturned, coming to a stop resting on top of and crushing the front-end and cab of the pickup truck.

The two men who had been inside the pickup at the time of the accident were reportedly entrapped in the wreckage and had to be extracted by emergency personnel. Once freed from the aftermath, they were transported to local medical facilities by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment for injuries sustained during the crash. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary

When accidents like this one occur, people often look for a single misstep or error as the root cause. However, my experience handling cases involving commercial truck accidents has shown that these incidents are rarely so simple. They often involve multiple factors that require thorough investigation to fully understand what went wrong.

In this case, determining which vehicle initiated the unsafe lane change is an essential part of uncovering the truth. Did the pickup truck move into the path of the 18-wheeler, or did the truck’s size and limited maneuverability lead to the collision? Commercial trucks have significant blind spots and require careful planning and awareness during lane changes. Understanding whether the truck driver acted with proper caution will be critical to assessing responsibility for this crash.

The role of the trucking company is also worth exploring. Companies have a responsibility to ensure their drivers are properly trained, their vehicles are well-maintained, and their operations are conducted safely. Did the driver receive adequate instruction on handling the 18-wheeler in congested conditions? Were the truck’s braking systems, tires, and other equipment in safe and operational condition? Neglect in any of these areas could have set the stage for this collision.

It’s equally important to examine whether the truck itself was adequately loaded and secured. An improperly loaded trailer can drastically affect a truck’s stability, increasing the likelihood of a rollover in a sudden maneuver. Was the trailer’s load properly distributed and secured to prevent unnecessary shifting during travel? These technical questions must be addressed to rule out preventable issues that could have played a role in the accident.

Ultimately, the goal is to uncover the truth and provide answers to those affected by the crash. Even if it requires conducting an independent investigation to obtain critical evidence, it’s essential to examine every factor to ensure those impacted by the incident receive the clarity and closure they deserve.