Alfonso Chavez, of Sanger, Died In Fresno Bicycle Accident With Semi-Truck By The Intersection of Jensen Avenue and DeWolf Avenue
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (July 13, 2022) – A bicyclist identified as Alfonso Chavez has tragically died in a Fresno semi-truck accident by Jensen Avenue and DeWolf Avenue.
Fresno County officials are saying that the accident took place around 3:40 a.m. on Monday. Alfonso Chavez was riding a bicycle when he was rear-ended by a passing semi-truck.
The force of the impact caused the victim to be ejected into the roadway. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victims.
Unfortunately, Alfonso Chavez was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Police interviewed the driver of the truck who remained at the scene following the crash.
It remains unclear if any citations will be issued for the fatal collision.
Liability In Fresno Semi-Truck Accidents
Bicyclists lack the protection of enclose vehicles and are more likely to be overlooked. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 1,000 bicyclists are killed and another 130,000 are injured every year in collisions across the United States. Adults between the ages of 55 – 69 are most likely to be killed or seriously injured in bicycle accidents. Bicycle collisions are also much more likely to occur in urban areas. Semi-trucks pose a number of unique hazards to bicyclists.
- Semi-trucks have large blind spots that are especially pronounced on the sides and in the front of the vehicle.
- Semi-trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs and can take the length of two football fields to come to a stop.
- Semi-trucks have a wide turning radius that can make underride collisions more likely.
Semi-truck drivers will need to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. There are rules and regulations with respect to how long truck drivers can work on any given day and within a week. But these rules are not always followed. It’s not uncommon for truck drivers to become dangerously fatigued during the course of their trips. In fact, the CDC estimates that staying awake for only 18 hours can reduce a person’s ability to drive safely equivalent to driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
All truck drivers must exercise due care in order to avoid hitting bicyclists. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21200, a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and responsibilities of the driver of another vehicle. Truck drivers must maintain a safe follow distance behind bicyclists. They must also maintain at least three feet of space between any bicyclist traveling by the side of the road. If a truck driver fails to exercise due care and hits a bicyclist, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a bicycle accident could extend beyond an at fault driver. If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees are working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, truck companies will try to evade liability for crashes by hiring truck drivers as “independent contractors.” There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The truck’s event data recorder (EDR) should be examined.
- All vehicles / bicycles involved should be preserved.
The family of any victims that died in a car accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, though, truck companies will often do everything in their power to deny liability for any collision. This is why it is so important that all evidence is preserved after any truck accident. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Liability In Fresno Semi-Truck Accidents
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Alfonso Chavez. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There are so many questions that need to be answered. Was the truck driver involved in this crash distracted? Were they intoxicated? Were they following all of the federal rules and regulations for commercial drivers?
Do you need more information about a Fresno semi-truck accident? Our team of bicycle safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that truck drivers are held accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
