Josh Brown (Full Name: Joshua Daniel Brown) Killed In Fresno Truck Accident While Riding Bicycle on Bullard Avenue —> GoFundMe Created To Help Victim’s Family
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (October 25, 2022) – A bicyclist identified as Josh Brown has tragically died in a Fresno truck accident along Bullard Avenue.
Fresno County police officials are saying that the accident took place on Thursday morning near Fresno State. Joshua Daniel Brown was heading east on a bicycle when he was rear-ended by a truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the bicyclist. Josh Brown was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries.
Despite the best efforts of doctors and medical staff, he later died as a result of his injuries. Police interviewed the truck driver who remained at the scene.
Bullard Avenue between Chestnut and Cedar was closed for multiple hours for an investigation. You can help support the family of the victim through GoFundMe.
According to the GoFundMe page, “We ask for your support and donations from the Family and Friends at 13 Prime Steak to our late friend, Josh Brown. We lost a friend, co-worker, and son today. Josh tragically passed away on October 20, 2022, at 32. He is survived by his father, Stephen Brown of Friant, Ca.”
Liability For Fresno Truck Accidents
Bicyclists are uniquely vulnerable in car accidents. They lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are more likely to be overlooked. According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, “Each year in California, over one hundred people are killed and thousands more are injured in bicycle collisions.” The vast majority of these collisions are preventable and involved some amount of human error. There are a number of steps that drivers should take in order to avoid hitting bicyclists.
- Drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- Drivers should slow down during periods of reduced visibility.
- Drivers should always stay at least three feet away from bicyclist in a bicycle lane.
Truck drivers will typically need to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must constantly scan the road ahead of them and maintain adequate separation from vehicles and bicycle riders. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21703, the driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable or prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends a vehicle or bicycle in their own lane.
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, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, truck companies will typically try to evade liability for crashes by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.” There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage should be examined.
- If the truck involved has an event data recorder (EDR), that should be reviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any car accident. But it is important to remember that accident victims do have rights. The family of any person that is killed in a truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. A civil claim can help with many of the unexpected 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 free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Fresno Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Josh Brown. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to help prevent similar tragedies. More needs to be done in Fresno County to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
Do you need more information about a Fresno bicycle 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 those rights are being protected. 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.
