A flatbed tractor-trailer overturned on Interstate 10 near Indio, killing
one person and seriously injuring another.
CHP officers state that the 2011 Kenworth struck a light pole, overturned, and landed on its roof, spilling PVC pipe across a wide area. 24-year-old Shyan Barnes, of Bandon, Ore., was unrestrained in the sleeping compartment and was pronounced dead at the scene. First responders worked feverishly for more than an hour to free the driver from the wreckage; he was identified only as a 42-year-old man from Bandon. He was rushed to an area hospital with serious injuries.
The cause has not been officially determined, but as there were no skid marks, investigators speculate that the driver may have fallen asleep.
SMS/BASIC Score
Hours of service is one of the Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories that the U.S. government’s Safety Measurement System tracks. In addition to the rest and time-off requirements, many truckers are cited for recordkeeping violations. Some other BASIC categories include:
- Unsafe Driving: This category essentially includes any points violation, like speeding, reckless driving, or lane violation.
- Vehicle Maintenance: Inspection violations, malfunctioning or missing equipment, and overweight violations all cause SMS/BASIC score to go up.
- Crash History: There is a difference between being ticketed at the scene and being held legally responsible for the wreck.
As BASIC/SMS scores increase, insurance rates usually increase as well, so a few added points may well be the difference between making money and losing money on a given job. An attorney can make sure that the government is using accurate information and that old information is falling off as it should, so that your score is as low as possible.
Getting Legal Help
The aggressive lawyers at Bigger & Harman, APC, are committed to giving individuals a voice when dealing with speeding and traffic tickets. Call today at 661-859-1177 or email attorney@markbigger.com to receive the personal professional attention you deserve. En español, llame al 661-376-0214.