Pedestrian Seriously Injured In Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accident By The Intersection of Union Avenue By Belle Terrace
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (October 17, 2022) – A pedestrian was seriously injured in a Bakersfield semi-truck accident near the intersection of Union Avenue By Belle Terrace.
Kern County officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday. A pedestrian was walking in the area when they were hit by a white semi-truck hauling a trailer.
Paramedics and police officers were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. An ambulance transported the pedestrian to the hospital with major injuries.
The driver of the semi-truck remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accidents
Thousands of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured every year in semi-truck accidents. According to the National Safety Council, “A total of 4,965 people died in large-truck crashes in 2020. The number of deaths decreased 1% from 2019 but is still up 31% since 2011. The majority of deaths in large-truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles (71%), followed by truck occupants (17%), and non-occupants, primarily pedestrians and bicyclists (12%).” There are a number of steps that truck drivers should take in order to avoid accidents.
- Truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them.
- Truck drivers should be well-rested before the start of their shift.
- Truck drivers should abstain from alcohol or drugs.
- Truck drivers should ideally plan their routes ahead of time.
Truck drivers will typically need to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must do everything in their power to avoid collisions. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a truck driver fails to slow down to avoid an accident, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Depending on the facts of any case, the company that a truck driver worked for could be held at fault for a collision. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were operating within the bounds of their job duties. For example, a truck driver could have been transporting goods from one location. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- The semi-truck’s event data recorder (EDR) should be examined.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
The physical evidence left behind after a collision can paint a picture of what happened regardless of what anyone claims. The family of any person that is killed in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that can come with the sudden loss of a loved one. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A California Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the person injured in this crash. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Bakersfield semi-truck accident? Our team of pedestrian 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 those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
